Quinoa loaded with fresh vegetables in a cream cheese and Parmesan sauce.
If you’ve never tried quinoa, you really should. I’m always looking for new quinoa recipes, and this Creamy Quinoa Primavera is one of my favorites.
Technically, quinoa is not a grain, but it does remind me of cous cous. The great thing about quinoa, as opposed to other grains, is that it’s very high in protein. It’s also gluten-free.
Yum! Had this for dinner last night, and all devoured it, even my 2-year old. So easy to make and a great way to use up veggies. ~ Rebecca
You can use any kind of vegetables in this dish. I like onion, broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers and carrots, and I’ll add mushrooms sometimes too (don’t tell my kids).
This recipe is great for using up odds and ends of vegetables you have sitting in the refrigerator.
The great thing about quinoa is that it cooks up so quickly. Which means this simple side dish is ready in almost no time.
If I’m really in a hurry, I just give all the veggies a coarse shop in my food processor, but you could even throw in a mix of frozen veggies to save even more time.
Found this on Pinterest, and it was awesome! Even the 15 month devoured it, delish. Thanks for the recipe. ~ Gillian
Although I’d typically serve this as a side dish, I’ll happily eat it as a meal on it’s own. You could even add grilled chicken or shrimp for a super protein packed meal.
This is one of those recipes I find myself making this Creamy Quinoa Primavera again and again. I hope you love this healthy side dish as much as we do!
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT CREAMY QUINOA PRIMAVERA
So delish! I added 4 oz. goat cheese with herbs instead of the cream cheese because a good friend of mine can’t have cows milk…turned out great! Thanks! ~ Mrs. Garrido
I made this as a main dish for dinner tonight. It was my first time cooking (and eating) quinoa, and boy – this was a GREAT recipe to try! Thanks! I’ll definitely make this again. ~ Emily
It occured to me that, although this recipe has been on heavy-rotation for months in our home, I never commented to tell you I LOVE this recipe (as does my husband). ~ Sparlingo
Be sure to save this Creamy Quinoa Primavera recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
Here’s what you’ll need to make Creamy Quinoa Primavera
- Quinoa
- Chicken or vegetable broth
- Cream cheese
- Produce: fresh basil, garlic, assorted fresh vegetables
- Butter
- Romano or Parmesan cheese
Creamy Quinoa Primavera
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked quinoa
- 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 5 cups thinly sliced or bite sized pieces assorted uncooked vegetables
- 3 tablespoons grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Rinse quinoa thoroughly; drain. Bring quinoa and broth to boil in a 2-quart saucepan; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 10-15 minutes or until broth is absorbed.
- While quinoa is cooking, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook garlic in butter for about one minute, stirring frequently, until golden. Stir in vegetables.
- Cook about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are crisp-tender.
- Stir cream cheese and basil into cooked quinoa. Toss vegetables with quinoa mixture and sprinkle with cheese.
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Nutrition
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Who Dished It Up First: Adapted from my friend Christy over at Yummy Deliciousness.
36 comments
San
Instead of the cream cheese, make yogurt cheese. Put the yogurt in a strainer lined with a coffee filter and let it sit a few hours or overnight. The longer it sits the thicker it gets. We use it in place of cream cheese or sour cream.
Paige W
I just made this and it was very good! Thanks! My 5 yr old said he didn’t want to eat the cooked carrots and then after he tried some he said to himself, “well I liked cooked carrots, but I haven’t tried these things . . . (cauliflower haha) ” It is a good flavor blend.
Cindy Harris
You got me on the word creamy–this looks yummy. Can’t wait to try it.
Danelle M
Thank you Sparlingo! 🙂
Sparlingo
It occured to me that, although this recipe has been on heavy-rotation for months in our home, I never commented to tell you I LOVE this recipe (as does my husband).
Your blog is brilliant. You’re brilliant.
Emily S.
I made this as a main dish for dinner tonight. It was my first time cooking (and eating) quinoa, and boy – this was a GREAT recipe to try! Thanks! I’ll definitely make this again.
Danelle
I would say it makes about 8 servings, as a side dish.
The Shoeless Schoolmarm
I’m just wondering how many servings this makes? It looks absolutely delicious and I’ve got everything in my fridge!
Ms. Garrido
So delish! I added 4 oz goat cheese with herbs instead of the cream cheese because a good friend of mine can’t have cows milk…turned out great! Thanks!
Nidhizzle
I just made this today, it is SO GOOD. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Gillian
Found this on pinterest, and it was awesome! Even the 15 month devoured it, delish. Thanks for the recipe: )
Hope
Sounds delish! Thanks for sharing.
Rebecca
Yum! Had this for dinner last night, and all devoured it, even my 2-year old. So easy to make and a great way to use up veggies.
Denise Pacurar
This looks delicious! I love anything with Quinoa!!
Denise
Dia
Yum!
I LOVE quinoa!
For a dairy free dish, simply saute the onion in coconut (or olive) oil, & drain off the liquid from a tin of coconut milk (you could add that to the cooking liquid) & use the ‘thick’ milk in place of cream cheese!
Our family is GF & DF, & we use coconut milk in place of most dairy! Had Christmas eve lasagna with a delightful tapioca cheese (my son-in law’s mom made it) There’s also rice based cheese for those who can’t do dairy, or skip the extra cheese.
I have been baking my quinoa recently – bring to a boil in recommended liquid, transfer to a baking dish & bake covered at 350* for 30 minutes, then uncover & continue baking 10 minutes. Takes a bit longer, but the quinoa is always fluffy! I often replace some of the liquid with 1/2 C pureed squash or pumpkin. mmmm
Charlotte Ferreux
I love this recipe and blog…I posted it on my community foodie blog. Hope you can come check it out http://www.facebook.com/thefrenchiefoodie
Also, feel free to post you’re recipes or you’re favourite foodie tips on it whenever you like!
denestria
My husband kept saying how good this was tonight. I used mascarpone instead of cream cheese because that’s what I had and only added about half of the cooked quinoa, all of it would have been way too much.
Domestic Nerd
Can’t wait to try this! I have quinoa sitting in my pantry waiting to be used.
I’ve featured your recipe as one of my Friday favorites this week: http://adomesticnerd.blogspot.com/2011/04/this-weeks-5-friday-favorites.html
Sparlingo
This was really tasty. I used zucchini, carrots, cauliflower and brocolli for the veggies, and it was just perfect.
Kevin
Nice way to enjoy some quinoa!
Living A Bona Fide Life
Just wanted to let you know that I’ve added your recipe to my online recipe box! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Living A Bona Fide Life: Recipe Box #4
myco
I love that just a little bit of cream cheese goes a long way with quinoa. The mouth texture of quinoa is already so close to creamy that it doesn’t take much cream cheese at all. You could probably get by with half the cream cheese in this recipe, especially because the quinoa is cooked in broth.
@Nicole – the fresh vegetables I like to use in quinoa salads are sweet onions, bell pepper, grated carrots, chopped cilantro, celery.
Mary
This looks incredible! What a fun, healthy, delicious looking dish!!
Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls
Ann
Danelle, I am always looking for good recipes with quinoa- and this looks like a great one! Thanks.
Nicole
I tried this today, however, wasn’t sure which veggies to use. Which veggies did you use?
Jenn
I have never had quinoa? This sure sounds delicious!
Danelle
The only substitution that comes to mind is light or fat-free cream cheese, or maybe sour cream would work?
Sticky Penguin
This looks like a great combination of satisfying and healthy – will be keen to give it a go. So far, I’ve only used quinoa for porridge for breakfast, so a savory recipe will be a good way to mix things up and try something new!
pasipiko
This looks great! Any suggestions for cream cheese substitutions for a lighter dish? 🙂
teenagetaste
This looks amazing! I bought quinoa for the first time a few days ago and think this would be a great “first time” recipe! Thanks!
Taylor
Oh yum – I LOVE quinoa! This looks awesome!
Sonia
The quinoa is looking so heathy and full of nutrition. I am always looking for great quinoa recipes and this one is just perfect for me… !
danasfoodforthought
This is totally brilliant! I love quinoa and this is such a unique way to prepare it!
fooddoodles
Yum! So simple, but it looks so good! I bet it tastes amazing with the cream cheese in it. I’ll have to try this – I bet the kids will love it!
thedaintyapron
This looks delicious! I read in the directions that the quinoa is cooked in broth but I didn’t see it under ingredients. Did you use chicken or veggie stock/broth?
Kathy
I happened upon this recipe today, thought I’d try it. I used carrot, zucchini, mushrooms, broccoli and red pepper with low sodium chicken broth. It was a hit! Will make it again