St. Charles-Inspired Roasted Vegetable and Quinoa Salad
A wholesome roasted vegetable salad featuring seasonal veggies and quinoa with a tangy mustard vinaigrette, reflecting regional farm-fresh ingredients. This american-inspired salads ready in about 40 minutes pairs quinoa, water, red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. 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
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1 large carrot, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/2-inch half-moons
- 1 small red onion, cut into wedges
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water until water runs clear. Combine quinoa with 2 cups water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
- Step 2: Preheat oven to 425°F. On a large baking sheet, toss 1 large peeled carrot sliced into 1/4-inch rounds, 1 red bell pepper cut into 1-inch pieces, 1 medium zucchini sliced into 1/2-inch half-moons, and 1 small red onion cut into wedges with 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Spread evenly and roast for 20 minutes until vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 tsp honey until smooth.
- Step 4: Fluff the quinoa with a fork and transfer to a large bowl. Add roasted vegetables and drizzle the mustard vinaigrette over. Toss gently to combine.
- Step 5: Sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley on top and serve warm or at room temperature.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does St. Charles-Inspired Roasted Vegetable and Quinoa Salad take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 St. Charles-Inspired Roasted Vegetable and Quinoa Salad?
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 from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in St. Charles-Inspired Roasted Vegetable and Quinoa Salad?
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 St. Charles-Inspired Roasted Vegetable and Quinoa Salad 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.
What goes well with St. Charles-Inspired Roasted Vegetable and Quinoa Salad?
American salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
