Are you ready to elevate your weeknight dinners with a dish that's not only delicious but also incredibly easy to prepare? Meet the Crock Pot Vegetable Quinoa—a vibrant, wholesome meal that practically cooks itself while you go about your day! Packed with nutritious veggies and protein-rich quinoa, this vegetarian delight is perfect for busy families or anyone looking to enjoy a healthy, satisfying meal without the fuss. Dive into this recipe and discover how simple it is to create a comforting bowl of goodness that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup carrots, chopped
- 1 cup zucchini, chopped
- 1 cup bell peppers, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Thoroughly rinse quinoa under cold water using a fine-mesh strainer to remove any bitter coating.
- Chop all vegetables into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking: carrots, zucchini, and bell peppers.
- Lightly grease the inside of the crock pot with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Add rinsed quinoa to the crock pot, followed by vegetable broth, ensuring the liquid covers the quinoa completely.
- Add chopped carrots, zucchini, and bell peppers on top of the quinoa.
- Sprinkle garlic powder evenly over the vegetables, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover the crock pot and set to low heat setting for 4 hours.
- Stir gently halfway through cooking to distribute vegetables and prevent quinoa from sticking.
- Check quinoa's doneness by ensuring it's fluffy and vegetables are tender but not mushy.
- Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to allow flavors to meld and quinoa to absorb remaining moisture.
- Fluff with a fork before serving and adjust seasoning if needed.
Tips
- Rinse the Quinoa: Don’t skip the rinsing step! This removes the saponins that can give quinoa a bitter taste, ensuring your dish is as flavorful as possible.
- Uniform Vegetable Sizes: When chopping your carrots, zucchini, and bell peppers, aim for uniform, bite-sized pieces. This not only helps them cook evenly but also makes for a more appealing presentation.
- Grease the Crock Pot: A light coating of olive oil or cooking spray inside the crock pot will help prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
- Layering Matters: Start with the rinsed quinoa at the bottom, followed by the broth and then the vegetables on top. This layering ensures the quinoa cooks perfectly and absorbs all those delicious flavors.
- Stir Midway: Gently stir the mixture halfway through cooking to distribute the vegetables and prevent the quinoa from clumping together.
- Check for Doneness: The quinoa should be fluffy and the vegetables tender but not mushy. If needed, let it cook a bit longer, checking every 10-15 minutes.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the dish to rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking. This helps the flavors meld together beautifully and gives the quinoa time to absorb any remaining moisture.
- Fluff and Adjust: Use a fork to fluff the quinoa before serving, and taste to adjust seasoning if necessary. A little extra salt or pepper can make a big difference!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 8g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
