Warm Salad Bowl Grains Vegetables (Print Version)

Hearty bowl with roasted vegetables, warm grains, and vibrant vinaigrette for wholesome meals.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa or brown rice, rinsed
02 - 2 cups water or vegetable broth

→ Roasted Vegetables

03 - 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed
04 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
05 - 1 small red onion, sliced
06 - 1 small zucchini, sliced
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Greens

10 - 4 cups baby spinach or kale, stems removed

→ Warm Vinaigrette

11 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
12 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
15 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
16 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Toppings

17 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
18 - 2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds
19 - Fresh herbs such as parsley or cilantro, chopped

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Toss sweet potato, bell pepper, onion, and zucchini with 2 tablespoons olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on the baking sheet and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway, until tender and golden.
03 - Combine quinoa or brown rice and water or broth in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce to low and cover. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes for quinoa or according to package directions for rice, until grains are tender and liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
04 - In a small pan over low heat, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper until just warm, approximately 1 to 2 minutes.
05 - In a large bowl, toss the spinach or kale with half the warm vinaigrette, allowing the greens to wilt slightly.
06 - Divide grains among four bowls. Top with wilted greens, roasted vegetables, and optional toppings. Drizzle with remaining warm vinaigrette. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's forgiving enough to make on a weeknight but impressive enough to serve to people you want to impress.
  • The warm vinaigrette is the secret weapon—it wilts the greens just right without making them soggy or sad.
  • You can prep components separately and assemble in minutes, which means less chaos in a small kitchen.
02 -
  • Don't skip the halfway stir when roasting vegetables—it's the difference between tender and unevenly cooked, and it takes 30 seconds.
  • The warm vinaigrette is what transforms this from a regular salad into something special, so don't make it ahead or it loses its magic.
  • If your greens seem stubborn about wilting, toss them with the vinaigrette earlier and let them sit while you finish assembling the other components.
03 -
  • Prep your vegetables the night before and refrigerate them in an airtight container—they roast just as well the next day and save you time when you're hungry.
  • If you're making this for multiple people, assemble the grains and vegetables on a platter and let everyone build their own bowl with the vinaigrette on the side.
  • Leftover roasted vegetables taste amazing cold the next day, so make extra and pack them for lunch without the grains.
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