Best 7 Cheesy Quinoa Pilaf With Spinach Recipes

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Cheesy quinoa pilaf with spinach is a delightful dish that combines the nutty flavor of quinoa, the creamy richness of cheese, and the vibrant freshness of spinach. This vegetarian dish is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients, making it a wholesome and satisfying meal option. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting out, this article will guide you through the process of creating a flavorful and satisfying cheesy quinoa pilaf with spinach that will surely impress your taste buds and leave you feeling nourished and satisfied.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

QUINOA AND SPINACH PILAF



Quinoa and Spinach Pilaf image

Great with any meat.

Provided by Jahangir Khan

Categories     Side Dish     Grain Side Dish Recipes

Time 35m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup quinoa
1 ¼ cups water
5 (5 ounce) packages baby spinach
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir onion and garlic until onion is softened, about 4 minutes. Add quinoa to onion mixture; cook and stir for about 1 minute more.
  • Pour water over quinoa mixture; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover saucepan, and simmer until quinoa is tender and water is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
  • Stir spinach and lemon zest into quinoa mixture; season with salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 231.4 calories, Carbohydrate 35.8 g, Cholesterol 7.6 mg, Fat 6.2 g, Fiber 7.3 g, Protein 11.4 g, SaturatedFat 2.2 g, Sodium 145.6 mg, Sugar 1.6 g

QUINOA PILAF



Quinoa Pilaf image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     side-dish

Time 55m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 large or 4 small shallots, chopped
1 small red pepper, stemmed, seeded, deveined and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra for seasoning
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus extra for seasoning
1 1/2 cups quinoa
1/4 cup white wine, such as pinot grigio
1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 packed cup arugula, chopped
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced into 1/2-inch pieces
Zest of 1 lemon

Steps:

  • Cook's Note: To toast the almonds, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven until lightly toasted, 6 to 8 minutes. Cool completely before using.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large saucepan or a high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the bell pepper, salt and pepper. Cook until the vegetables are tender, 5 minutes. Make a space in the center of the vegetables and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the quinoa and cook, stirring constantly, until coated with oil, about 2 minutes. Add the wine and cook until all of the liquid has evaporated, about 2 minutes. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Cover the pan and simmer until all of the broth has been absorbed and the quinoa is tender, about 15 minutes. Keep covered and let sit for 10 minutes. Add the arugula, almonds, mint, cucumber and lemon zest and toss well. Season with salt and pepper.

SIMPLEST QUINOA AND PINE NUT PILAF



Simplest Quinoa and Pine Nut Pilaf image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     side-dish

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 1/4 cups whole grain quinoa (about 7 ounces)
1 3/4 cups low-salt chicken broth (preferably organic)
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro or Italian parsley
1/3 cup pine nuts

Steps:

  • Place the quinoa in a fine sieve. Rinse under cold running water 1 full minute. Set aside to drain.
  • Bring the broth, salt and pepper to a boil in heavy, medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the quinoa. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the quinoa is tender and all the broth is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat. Let the quinoa stand, still covered, for 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Scatter pine nuts on a small rimmed baking sheet. Toast the nuts until golden, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet.
  • Mix the cilantro and pine nuts into the quinoa.

QUINOA-AND-SPINACH PILAF



Quinoa-and-Spinach Pilaf image

This quick-cooking, whole-grain side is good with beef short ribs, grilled chicken, hamburgers.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains     Quinoa Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup rinsed quinoa
1 1/4 cups water
5 cups baby spinach (5 ounces)
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
Salt and pepper

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium. Add onion and garlic; cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Add quinoa and cook 1 minute. Add water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until water is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Stir in spinach and lemon zest, then season with salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 215 g, Fat 5 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 7 g, SaturatedFat 2 g

BAKED QUINOA WITH SPINACH AND CHEESE



Baked Quinoa with Spinach and Cheese image

This is an easy gratin, a comforting casserole that you can serve as a main dish or a side.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Time 45m

Yield Serves 4 to 6

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 6-ounce bag baby spinach
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 plump garlic cloves
4 cups cooked quinoa, (1 cup uncooked)
2 large eggs
3 ounces Gruyère cheese, grated (3/4 cup)
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage
1 ounce Parmesan, grated (1/4 cup)

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Oil a 2-quart gratin or baking dish.
  • Heat a medium frying pan or a wide saucepan over medium-high heat. Wash the spinach and without spinning dry, add to the pan and wilt in the liquid left on the leaves after washing. You may have to do this in 2 batches. As soon as the spinach wilts, remove from the heat and rinse with cold water. Squeeze dry and chop. Set aside.
  • Wipe the pan dry and heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in it over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and stir with the onion until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the spinach and season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.
  • Beat the eggs in a large bowl and add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir in the quinoa, the onion and spinach mixture, the Gruyère, and the sage. Add freshly ground pepper and stir the mixture together. Scrape into the gratin dish. Sprinkle the Parmesan over the top and drizzle on the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Place in the oven and bake until nicely browned on top, about 25 minutes. Remove from the heat, allow to sit for about 5 minutes, and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 316, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams, Carbohydrate 30 grams, Fat 15 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 15 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 238 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams, TransFat 0 grams

CHEESY QUINOA PILAF WITH SPINACH



Cheesy Quinoa Pilaf with Spinach image

This creamy pilaf incorporates the fluffy, nutty-flavored grain, quinoa, with a decadent and delicious goat cheese gouda. This has an amazing flavor and texture. Try serving with steamed salmon. I think this would work well with pine nuts as well as a variety of other cheeses. Try regular goat, Parmesan, blue, etc.

Provided by alliecat3

Categories     Grain Side Dishes

Time 40m

Yield 3

Number Of Ingredients 7

¼ cup quinoa
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons raw sunflower seeds
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup fresh spinach leaves
2 teaspoons lemon juice
⅓ cup grated goat gouda cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the quinoa, and cook until the quinoa is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain in a mesh strainer, and rinse until cold; set aside.
  • Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, stir in the sunflower seeds, and cook until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic, and cook until the garlic softens and the aroma mellows, about 2 minutes. Stir in the cooled quinoa and spinach; cook and stir until the quinoa is hot, and the spinach has wilted. Stir in the lemon juice, and all but a pinch of the cheese. Stir until the cheese has melted. Serve sprinkled with the remaining cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 233.3 calories, Carbohydrate 10.5 g, Cholesterol 13.2 mg, Fat 18.9 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 6.1 g, SaturatedFat 5.1 g, Sodium 48.7 mg, Sugar 0.4 g

QUINOA PILAF WITH SALMON, SPINACH AND MUSHROOMS



Quinoa Pilaf With Salmon, Spinach and Mushrooms image

This is such a nutrient-dense food, packed with omega-3, protein, vitamins and minerals! I made this as a main dish, but it can also be served as a side dish or for brunch. Add a green salad and you can have a very healthy supper! Please visit my blog, www.InnerHarmonyNutrition.com for more gluten-free, low-GI recipes.

Provided by InnerHarmonyNutriti

Categories     Low Cholesterol

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

5 ounces wild salmon fillets
1 tablespoon white wine or 1 tablespoon sake
1 cup quinoa
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 large onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
7 mushrooms, sliced
3 bunches spinach, roughly chopped
salt
pepper

Steps:

  • Salt and pepper the salmon fillet and sprinkle 1 Tbsp of white wine or sake.
  • In the meantime, wash and chop all the vegetables.
  • In a saucepan, place quinoa and 2 cups of water and bring to a boil.
  • Place the salmon fillet with the skin side down, reduce to a simmer, and cover. Cook until all water is absorbed, for about 10 - 15 minutes.
  • Heat a Tbsp olive oil in a skillet, add onion and garlic and sauté for about 2 minutes. Add mushrooms and sauté. Finally add spinach and sauté until the spinach is completely wilted. Season with salt and pepper.
  • When the quinoa is done, turn off the heat. Carefully remove the salmon skin and flake the salmon with a fork. Mix with the quinoa.
  • Add the vegetables and mix again. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Infuse love into food and serve!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 304.2, Fat 8.6, SaturatedFat 1.2, Cholesterol 16.1, Sodium 232.2, Carbohydrate 38.8, Fiber 9.1, Sugar 2.1, Protein 21.6

Tips:

  • Use the best quality ingredients you can find. Fresh vegetables, flavorful cheese, and fluffy quinoa will make a big difference in the final dish.
  • Don't overcook the quinoa. It should be cooked through but still have a slight bite to it.
  • Add the spinach at the very end of cooking. This will help it retain its vibrant green color.
  • Season the pilaf to taste with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  • Serve the pilaf immediately, or let it cool and then reheat it before serving.

Conclusion:

Cheesy quinoa pilaf with spinach is a delicious and healthy side dish that can be served with a variety of main courses. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. So next time you're looking for a new side dish to try, give this cheesy quinoa pilaf with spinach a try.

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