Sheet Pan Roasted Ancient Grain Salad with Roasted Root Vegetables
A wholesome roasted root vegetable and ancient grain salad tossed with a tangy mustard vinaigrette, perfect for a hearty vegetarian meal. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 55 minutes pairs medium, cut into wedges red onion, divided olive oil, divided salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.
Ingredients
- 3 medium, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks carrots
- 2 medium, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks parsnips
- 1 medium, cut into wedges red onion
- 4 tbsp, divided olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp, divided salt
- 1 tsp, divided black pepper
- 1 cup, rinsed quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup, chopped toasted walnuts
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss 3 chopped carrots, 2 chopped parsnips, and 1 chopped red onion with 2 tbsp olive oil, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until evenly coated. Spread in a single layer.
- Step 2: Roast vegetables for 30-35 minutes, flipping halfway through, until tender and caramelized at the edges.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add 1 cup rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and let cool slightly.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp dijon mustard, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to make the vinaigrette.
- Step 5: In a large bowl, combine the roasted vegetables, cooked quinoa, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, and 1/2 cup toasted chopped walnuts. Pour the vinaigrette over and toss gently to coat.
- Step 6: Serve the salad warm or at room temperature as a hearty vegetarian main or side.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sheet Pan Roasted Ancient Grain Salad with Roasted Root Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Sheet Pan Roasted Ancient Grain Salad with Roasted Root Vegetables?
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 divided olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sheet Pan Roasted Ancient Grain Salad with Roasted Root Vegetables?
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 Sheet Pan Roasted Ancient Grain Salad with Roasted Root Vegetables 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 Sheet Pan Roasted Ancient Grain Salad with Roasted Root Vegetables vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
