Quinoa Caprese
Brighten up your dinner table with this refreshing and wholesome Quinoa Caprese, a vibrant twist on the classic Caprese salad. Packed with fluffy quinoa, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella balls, and fragrant fresh basil, this recipe offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Drizzled with a tangy-sweet balsamic dressing made with honey and olive oil, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s both nutritious and delicious. Ready in just 30 minutes, this gluten-free dish makes for a versatile option—serve it as a light main course, a flavorful side, or a meal-prep-friendly salad that tastes even better as the flavors meld. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or elegant entertaining, this Quinoa Caprese is a surefire way to impress!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine)
- 0.5 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Rinse the quinoa under cold water using a fine-mesh strainer to remove any bitterness.
In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender.
Fluff the cooked quinoa with a fork and let it cool to room temperature.
While the quinoa cools, slice the cherry tomatoes in halves and tear the basil leaves into smaller pieces if they are too large.
In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and torn basil leaves.
Drizzle the balsamic dressing over the mixture and gently toss everything until evenly coated.
Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.
Serve the Quinoa Caprese immediately or refrigerate for up to two hours to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1573 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 94.8 g | 122% | |
| Saturated Fat | 31.0 g | 155% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 127 mg | 42% | |
| Sodium | 2814 mg | 122% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 110.5 g | 40% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.5 g | 2% | |
| Total Sugars | 19.0 g | ||
| Protein | 66.7 g | 133% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 924 mg | 71% | |
| Iron | 6.5 mg | 36% | |
| Potassium | 412 mg | 9% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
