Couscous Veggie Surprise

Brighten up your dinner table with Couscous Veggie Surprise, a wholesome and vibrant dish that’s as delicious as it is nutritious! This quick and easy recipe combines fluffy couscous with a rainbow medley of sautéed vegetables—crisp zucchini, sweet cherry tomatoes, and earthy carrots—infused with the warm, smoky flavors of cumin and paprika. Protein-packed chickpeas add heartiness, while a splash of zesty lemon juice and fresh parsley lend a fresh, tangy finish. Ready in just 35 minutes, this vegetarian recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or as an impressive side dish for gatherings. Garnish with slivered almonds for an irresistible crunch, and enjoy a meal that's bursting with flavor and packed with plant-based goodness!

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup couscous
• 1.25 cups water or vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons slivered almonds (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

In a small saucepan, bring the water or vegetable broth to a boil. Remove from heat, stir in the couscous, cover with a lid, and let it sit for 5 minutes. Fluff the couscous with a fork and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until translucent.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and diced carrot to the skillet. Cook for another 2 minutes, stirring frequently.

Step 4

Stir in the diced red bell pepper and zucchini. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.

Step 5

Add the halved cherry tomatoes, chickpeas, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine and cook for an additional 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 6

Turn off the heat and stir in the cooked couscous, ensuring it is evenly mixed with the vegetables.

Step 7

Drizzle the lemon juice over the couscous and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Toss lightly to combine.

Step 8

Optionally, garnish with slivered almonds for added crunch.

Step 9

Serve warm as a main dish or side, and enjoy the explosion of flavors!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1456.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1024.8

Total Fat 43.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.8g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3449.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 136.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 28.6g	0%
Total Sugars 32.4g
Protein 33.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 308.9mg	0%
Iron 10.6mg	0%
Potassium 2491.6mg	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: 36.4%

Protein: 12.4%

Carbs: 51.2%