30 minute, from start to finish, healthy meatless dinner idea. Light and fluffy quinoa in a sweet Parmesan pumpkin sauce with fresh baby spinach. This pumpkin quinoa was so easy and delicious!
I’m on a major pumpkin kick this year because I love how it adds volume to desserts with so many health benefits and flavour: healthy pumpkin pie, healthy pumpkin bread, and flourless pumpkin muffins. I have never made a savoury dish with pumpkin though and I love quinoa.
It doesn’t get easier than cooking quinoa using stovetop or Instant Pot. Leftover quinoa is perfect for this recipe. I also try to freeze cooked quinoa in batches whenever I can.
Then saute onion and garlic – a combo that never fails me. Add pumpkin puree and chicken stock, and simmer. Add Parmesan, then quinoa and spinach. Done – pumpkin quinoa. Delish and easy, right?!
Parmesan Pumpkin and Spinach Quinoa
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa uncooked (3 + 1/2 cups cooked quinoa)
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 1 large garlic clove minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 3 cups chicken stock low sodium
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 3/4 cup 1.5 oz Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 4 handfuls baby spinach leaves
Instructions
- Cook quinoa using stovetop or Instant Pot method for perfect results. Set aside.
- In the meanwhile, preheat large deep skillet on low - medium heat and add olive oil. Add onion and garlic, saute until translucent, stirring occasionally. Add pumpkin puree, chicken stock, salt, pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes uncovered.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted. Remove from heat and add quinoa and spinach. Stir gently to combine. Adjust thickness with extra chicken stock if desired. I like my quinoa saucy and hot. Because of Parmesan cheese, liquid separation with time is normal. Just give it a good stir. Serve hot.
Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 - 4 days.
Nutrition
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