Spicy Pumpkin Lunch Box
Elevate your midday meals with the Spicy Pumpkin Lunch Box, a vibrant, nutrient-packed recipe bursting with bold flavors and wholesome ingredients. This quick and easy dish features tender, roasted pumpkin seasoned with paprika, cumin, and cayenne, paired with protein-rich chickpeas and fluffy quinoa for a satisfying, well-rounded meal. The sautéed red onions and a hint of fresh lemon juice add layers of tanginess and sweetness, while chopped parsley and optional crunchy pumpkin seeds provide a delightful finishing touch. Perfect for meal prepping, this healthy, plant-based lunch is ideal for busy weekdays, offering a flavorful spin on traditional lunch options. Serve it warm or at room temperature for a spicy, nourishing treat you’ll look forward to every day.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 grams Pumpkin (peeled and diced)
- 200 grams Canned chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
- 150 grams Cooked quinoa
- 1 medium-sized Red onion (sliced)
- 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoons Cayenne pepper
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Pumpkin seeds (optional garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Spread the diced pumpkin on the baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season with paprika, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Toss until evenly coated.
Roast the pumpkin in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until tender and slightly caramelized, stirring halfway through.
While the pumpkin roasts, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the sliced red onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Add the minced garlic to the pan and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Stir in the cooked quinoa and canned chickpeas. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Once the pumpkin is done roasting, remove it from the oven and gently fold it into the quinoa mixture in the pan. Remove from heat.
Add lemon juice and chopped parsley to the mixture, tossing to combine evenly.
Divide the pumpkin quinoa mixture into lunch boxes or serving plates.
Optionally, sprinkle with pumpkin seeds for added crunch and garnish with extra parsley if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
945 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 41.5 g | 53% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.1 g | 30% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1607 mg | 70% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 125.6 g | 46% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 22.5 g | 80% | |
| Total Sugars | 28.4 g | ||
| Protein | 29.7 g | 59% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 313 mg | 24% | |
| Iron | 13.2 mg | 73% | |
| Potassium | 2995 mg | 64% | |
*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.
