Quinoa Bowl Recipe with Roasted Tomatoes, Ricotta and Balsamic

My kids think that this quinoa bowl recipe is topped with ice cream and chocolate syrup. I hate to disappoint, but it’s not. Although, I think I’d choose ricotta and balsamic glaze over ice cream and chocolate most days, especially with mushrooms and tomatoes. They go far better with ricotta and balsamic than they do with ice cream and chocolate.

Seriously though, I had to tell them about three times that it wasn’t what they thought it was. I still don’t think they believed me.

You know what else you might not believe? That the tomatoes in this quinoa bowl recipe are from a can. Crazy, right? Did you know you can roast canned tomatoes? When you put them in a hot oven and roast them slowly, the flavors really shine. I could eat them on their own but they’re even better in this quinoa bowl recipe.

I’ve been partnering with Red Gold Tomatoes for awhile now, and this isn’t the first time we’ve chatted about the quality of their product. They’re great tomatoes to throw into the blender to make restaurant style salsa, too.

What Are Bowls?

You may be seeing lots of recipes for meal bowls that include a cooked grain, protein, and vegetables. Often they are called Buddha bowls or burrito bowls if they have a southwestern theme. There are really no limitations on bowls; you can pretty much create anything you like.

One of our favorites is BBQ chicken bowl with black bean corn salsa. Almost everyone loves it. Another popular recipe is egg roll in a bowl. If you love quinoa, you’ll want to try southwestern quinoa bowl with chicken.

The quinoa bowl today is very simple and the roasted tomatoes are a highlight. It’s vegetarian, gluten-free, low fat, and low calorie (only 158 calories per serving). Quinoa is a good source of protein, fiber, and amino acids. This satisfying bowl doesn’t skimp on taste and is perfect for lunch or a light dinner.

Ingredient Notes

• Canned Whole Tomatoes: Look for a large 28 ounce can of whole peeled tomatoes. If you prefer, fresh Roma tomatoes can be substituted (there’s no need to peel them).
• Olive Oil: The tomatoes are tossed with a bit of olive oil. If you have olive oil spray, you can just lightly mist the tomatoes.
• White Balsamic Vinegar: This vinegar is similar to regular balsamic vinegar but it’s made with white grapes. It adds a sweet tangy note to the tomatoes which enhances their flavor.
• Fresh Mushrooms: Choose white or button mushrooms; baby portobello mushrooms are fine, too.
• Cooked Quinoa: This hearty gluten-free grain is the foundation of the bowl. It can be cooked ahead and refrigerated or frozen (learn how to freeze quinoa). I usually cook the whole package at once and store what I don’t need. It thaws quickly and is so convenient. Other grains can be substituted; brown rice, farro, or cauliflower rice are good alternatives.
• Ricotta Cheese: Either part-skim or whole milk ricotta cheese is fine. Choose what you like best or substitute fresh mozzarella. Feta is good, too. Probably not ice cream, though.
• Baby Spinach Leaves: Spinach is so nutritious and this bowl is a great way to add those greens to your diet. Other greens can be substituted.
• Balsamic Glaze: While it’s not chocolate syrup, balsamic glaze is sweet and delicious. Try it as a topping for vanilla ice cream, especially combined with fresh strawberries. It’s easy to make your own balsamic reduction or it can be purchased.

How To Make This Quinoa Bowl

The most time consuming part of the recipe is roasting the tomatoes but that’s all hands off. It can also be done ahead. Simply store the roasted tomatoes in the fridge until you’re ready to use them.

Roast the tomatoes: Here’s how to do it: Cut each tomato in half lengthwise. That’s from the stem end to the other end. Arrange the halves on a rimmed baking sheet (sheet pan) that’s been lined with parchment paper. Brush them with a bit of olive oil or give them a light misting. Drizzle on white balsamic vinegar and season with salt and pepper.

Roast the tomatoes at low heat for an hour and ten minutes. It could take a bit longer. The tomatoes should be very soft and slightly golden brown.

Cook quinoa: Meanwhile, prep the quinoa if you don’t have it already cooked.

Sauté the mushrooms: Learn how to make the best golden brown and delicious sautéed mushrooms. It’s a game-changer.

Assemble the bowls: When everything’s ready, assemble the bowls. A wide shallow bowl works best so that all the ingredients are displayed attractively. Put a big spoonful of quinoa in the bowl, add the spinach, a dollop of ricotta, and 4 tomato halves. Drizzle with the balsamic glaze and enjoy!

FAQs

Recipe Variations

• Sauté the spinach with the mushrooms to wilt it if you like. If you’re making this ahead and microwaving, the spinach will wilt in the microwave.
• Add protein: cooked shredded chicken, sautéed shrimp, or leftover salmon.
• Add nuts: If you enjoy nuts, sprinkle the bowl with toasted walnuts, pecans, pine nuts, or chopped almonds. This nut-free savory granola makes a great topping, too.
• Substitute fresh tomatoes. Don’t have time to roast tomatoes? No problem! This bowl is great with fresh tomatoes, too.
• Dress it with vinaigrette. Instead of topping the bowl with balsamic glaze, make this easy balsamic vinaigrette.

Make-Ahead Ideas

This recipe is perfect for meal prepping. Since the tomatoes are slow-roasted, they do take a bit of time (over an hour) but that hour is hands off and luckily the roasted tomatoes keep well. While the tomatoes are roasting, cook the quinoa and sauté the mushrooms. Store these three ingredients in the fridge. They’ll keep for four to five days.

When it’s time to eat, just make your bowl with all the ingredients. If you like, package the ingredients in containers and they’ll be ready to take to work in the morning.

Storage & Reheating Tips

Refrigerate: Store the elements of this bowl in separate containers in the fridge for up to five days.

Reheat or serve cold: To serve, add what you want to a bowl and serve it cold or warmed up in the microwave for a few minutes. This quinoa bowl is good both ways but my preference is to heat it lightly to take the chill out.