One-Pan Spicy Shrimp and Quinoa Bowl

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant, protein-packed quinoa bowl featuring spicy sautéed shrimp and fresh vegetables for a fast, healthy dinner. This Mediterranean-inspired healthy bowl recipe (gluten free), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs quinoa, rinsed, water, extra virgin olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup rinsed quinoa and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
  2. Step 2: While quinoa cooks, heat 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. In a bowl, toss 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp with 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  3. Step 3: Add shrimp to the hot skillet in a single layer and sauté for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and just cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes and 2 cups baby spinach leaves to the skillet with shrimp; cook for 1-2 minutes until spinach wilts.
  5. Step 5: Stir in the cooked quinoa and drizzle with 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, tossing everything together to combine and heat through.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the top before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pan Spicy Shrimp and Quinoa Bowl take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover One-Pan Spicy Shrimp and Quinoa Bowl?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep quinoa, rinsed from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Spicy Shrimp and Quinoa Bowl?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale One-Pan Spicy Shrimp and Quinoa Bowl for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is One-Pan Spicy Shrimp and Quinoa Bowl gluten free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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