Quinoa Buddha Bowl (Printable Version)

Wholesome bowl combining fluffy quinoa, roasted vegetables, chickpeas, and tahini dressing for a satisfying plant-based meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1/2 tsp salt

→ Roasted Vegetables

04 - 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 small zucchini, sliced
07 - 1 cup broccoli florets
08 - 2 tbsp olive oil
09 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
10 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Legumes

11 - 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

→ Tahini Dressing

12 - 1/3 cup tahini
13 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
14 - 2 tbsp water (plus more as needed)
15 - 1 tbsp maple syrup or agave nectar
16 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
17 - Salt, to taste

→ Toppings

18 - 1 avocado, sliced
19 - 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
20 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F.
02 - Arrange sweet potato, bell pepper, zucchini, and broccoli on a large baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
03 - Roast vegetables for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway, until tender and slightly caramelized.
04 - While vegetables roast, rinse quinoa under cold water. In a saucepan, combine quinoa, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
05 - Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, water, maple syrup, garlic, and salt until smooth. Adjust water to reach a pourable consistency.
06 - Divide quinoa among four bowls. Top with roasted vegetables and chickpeas. Drizzle with tahini dressing. Add avocado slices, pumpkin seeds, and fresh herbs if desired.

# Tips for Success:

01 -
  • The bowl comes together in stages, letting you move at your own pace while chatting with family or enjoying a glass of wine between steps.
  • Something magical happens when the warm roasted vegetables melt slightly into the creamy tahini dressing, creating flavor pockets that make each bite an adventure.
02 -
  • That first time I made this, I skipped drying my chickpeas thoroughly after rinsing and they steamed rather than roasted, robbing me of their potential crispy goodness.
  • Adding the tahini dressing to warm not hot components prevents it from seizing up and allows it to coat everything beautifully.
03 -
  • When rushed for time, use pre cut sweet potatoes from the produce section and microwave them for 2 minutes before roasting to cut oven time in half.
  • Reserve some of the chickpea liquid when draining and add a tablespoon to your tahini dressing for a mysteriously richer texture that no one will be able to identify.
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