Colorful Weeknight Couscous

Brighten up your dinner table with this vibrant and wholesome recipe for Colorful Weeknight Couscous! Packed with fresh, nutrient-rich vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes, this quick and easy dish is a celebration of flavor and color. Perfectly spiced with cumin and paprika, the fluffy couscous absorbs the aromatic blend for a comforting yet light meal. Finished with a squeeze of lemon juice, fresh parsley, and an optional sprinkle of creamy feta, this delightful bowl comes together in just 25 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy evenings. Whether served as a satisfying vegetarian main course or a versatile side dish, this one-pan wonder is sure to impress!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup couscous
• 1.25 cups water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 2 bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange)
• 1 zucchini
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 0.5 red onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 cup feta cheese (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, bring 1.25 cups of water to a boil. Add 0.5 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

Step 2

Remove the saucepan from heat, stir in 1 cup of couscous, cover it with a lid, and let it sit for 5 minutes.

Step 3

While the couscous is resting, prepare the vegetables. Dice 2 bell peppers, 1 zucchini, and half a red onion. Halve 1 cup of cherry tomatoes. Mince 2 garlic cloves.

Step 4

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened, about 2 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the diced bell peppers and zucchini. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender yet still vibrant.

Step 6

Add the halved cherry tomatoes, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, and 0.5 teaspoon of paprika to the skillet. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Step 7

Fluff the couscous with a fork and mix it into the vegetable skillet.

Step 8

Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley.

Step 9

Optional: Sprinkle 0.5 cup of crumbled feta cheese on top before serving for added creaminess.

Step 10

Serve warm and enjoy your Colorful Weeknight Couscous!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1226.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	954.3

Total Fat 56.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 22.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.9g
Cholesterol 106.8mg	0%
Sodium 4485.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 83.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.0g	0%
Total Sugars 30.1g
Protein 30.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 756.9mg	0%
Iron 6.0mg	0%
Potassium 1596.7mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.5%

Protein: 12.6%

Carbs: 34.8%