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Lemony Quinoa with Spinach, Feta and Beans

18 Comments

Get ready for your next Meatless Monday hit: Mediterranean-inspired Lemony Quinoa with Spinach, Feta and Beans!

Lemony Quinoa with Spinach, Feta and Beans

The quinoa craze shows no signs of abating. And we’re so glad! This protein-packed whole grain provides great nutrition in a flavorful and unique package.

Still, we know that parents sometimes shy away from preparing quinoa for their kids. Why? Quinoa has a lean and slightly seedy texture that some kids (and adults!) don’t take to right away.

But this Lemony Quinoa with Spinach, Feta and Beans just might convert any quinoa skeptics living under your roof.

Lemony Quinoa with Spinach, Feta and Beans

The Secret

What makes THIS quinoa so good? There’s a “trick” I always tell people who want to turn quinoa into an irresistible dish: serve the grain with creamy ingredients, especially cheese.

And that’s just what we’ve done. Creamy beans, cheese and healthful extra virgin olive oil tie all the flavors and textures together into a satisfying and well-rounded family dinner. Yum!

My kids are crazy about those salty little boulders of feta cheese. I don’t even mind that my five-year-old ate his serving with his hands 😉

Great Flavors, Great Nutrition

Lemony Quinoa with Spinach, Feta and Beans

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients like extra virgin olive oil, tart lemons, cannellini beans and feta cheese make this zesty quinoa pop.

And the colorful veggies we’ve included target the types that our kids need the most in their daily diet: leafy greens and orange roots. These veggies provide…

  • Vitamins K, C, A, and minerals like calcium, magnesium and iron.
  • Beneficial fiber for healthy digestion.
  • Antioxidants and other phytochemical that help keep cells healthy.
  • Vibrant colors, tastes and textures in your kids’ meal!

Plus, we try to include beans in our diet at least a few times a week for their fiber, plant-protein, and iron.

There’s even more to love: the leftovers taste excellent at room temperature, so you can pack this hearty main dish for a school lunch the next day.

Lemony Quinoa with Spinach, Feta and Beans

Lastly, this Lemony Quinoa comes together in one pot. Yes! So you can hang out with your kids after dinner (or–shhh!– sneak away for a Facebook break) instead of scrubbing pots and pans.

Pair this Lemony Quinoa with fresh fruit, and you’ve created a complete Meatless Monday masterpiece. Enjoy it!

Lemony Quinoa with Spinach, Feta and Beans
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4 from 46 votes

Lemony Quinoa with Spinach, Feta and Beans

Get ready for your next Meatless Monday hit: Mediterranean-inspired Lemony Quinoa with Spinach, Feta and Beans!

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Calories: 326kcal

Ingredients

Dressing

Instructions

  • Peel and dice carrots. Mince garlic. Rinse and drain beans.
  • Rinse the quinoa throughly and drain. Then place the quinoa in a 4-quart pot with the broth and diced carrots.
  • Bring to a a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cover, until the quinoa is cooked and has absorbed all the broth (about 20 minutes)
  • Meanwhile, mix the dressing: add the olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, honey and oregano to a bowl, and whisk it together with a fork. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Roughly chop the spinach (optional) and add it to the pot of cooked quinoa and carrots. Stir and replace the lid for 3-4 minutes, so that the retained heat wilts the spinach.
  • Gently fold in the beans and dressing, then let cool for ten minutes.
  • Stir in the feta cheese and serve warm, with a side of fresh fruit.

Nutrition

Calories: 326kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 287mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 3g
Keyword : Lemony Quinoa with Spinach, Feta and Beans

www.superhealthykids.com

Lemony Quinoa with Spinach, Feta and Beans. Mediterranean flavors inspire this hearty, one-pot Meatless Monday meal. Make this Lemony Quinoa with Spinach, Feta and Beans this week. https://www.superhealthykids.com/lemony-quinoa-spinach-feta-beans/

Natalie Monson

I'm a registered dietitian, mom of 4, avid lover of food and strong promoter of healthy habits. Here you will find lots of delicious recipes full of fruits and veggies, tips for getting your kids to eat better and become intuitive eaters and lots of resources for feeding your family.

Learn More about Natalie

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18 Comments

I’m surprised no one else has commented. This was so good! Both my 3 and 1 year old were quite happy to eat it as well. Will be including this in my regular rotation, although I will add extra veggies. Thank you!

I think the flavors would work well with chicken, though I haven’t tried it myself. Let us know how it turns out!

I subbed for garbanzo beans & chicken stock (bc I had them on hand) & added chopped green onions.. Was super yummy!! Hard to go wrong with that simple & tasty Mediterranean dressing. Will definitely make this again. Thanks!!

I absolutely love your recipe! I am writing vegetarian recipe round ups on my blog in 2018 (to encourage people to try meatless monday- everyone has to start somewhere) and would love to feature you. You can check out my blog (for beginner environmentalists) at sunshineguerrilla.com. Is it alright if I share this link to your recipe?

5 stars
I chose this recipe to give quinoa a try and I was NOT disappointed! I made the recipe as is and it was very easy to prepare and the flavor was wonderful.

I cook for two and this recipe makes a lot. I didn’t pay attention to the serving size (6). If you plan to make this as a side dish rather than a main dish, adjust accordingly or determine if it can be frozen.

Definitely in my rotation! I LOVE quinoa now. LOL

This looks really great! Maybe not use the word “meatless” to describe, as it uses chicken broth…if I was serving this to vegetarians, I would want to substitute that. This will definitely be served up this weekend!

5 stars
This dish was delicious. Great textures( quinoa, beans, feta and carrots) and loved the lemon and basil flavor.