Couscous with Toasted Pine Nuts

Elevate your next meal with this quick and flavorful Couscous with Toasted Pine Nuts recipe, a perfect balance of nutty, herby, and citrusy goodness. Ready in just 15 minutes, this dish features fluffy couscous infused with the subtle richness of olive oil, a hint of butter, and a fragrant pop of toasted pine nuts. Optional fresh parsley and lemon zest add a bright, fresh touch, making it an ideal side dish for grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or even as a light vegetarian main course. Using water or vegetable broth ensures versatility while enhancing flavor, and simple pantry staples like salt and pepper tie everything together. Whether you’re hosting a dinner or looking for an easy weeknight dish, this recipe delivers elegance and simplicity in every bite.

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup couscous
• 1.25 cups water or vegetable broth
• 0.25 cup pine nuts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional)
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Place a medium saucepan over medium heat and add the olive oil.

Step 2

Once the oil is warm, add the pine nuts and toast them for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent them from burning, until they turn golden and fragrant. Remove the pine nuts from the pan and set aside.

Step 3

In the same saucepan, add the water or vegetable broth and bring it to a boil. Stir in the salt.

Step 4

Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the couscous. Cover the pan with a lid and let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the couscous to absorb the liquid.

Step 5

After the couscous has rested, fluff it with a fork to separate the grains. Optionally, stir in the butter for added richness.

Step 6

Gently fold in the toasted pine nuts, black pepper, parsley, and lemon zest, if using. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 7

Serve warm as a side dish or on its own, garnished with additional parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(544.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	781.8

Total Fat 63.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 13.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 14.3g
Cholesterol 31mg	0%
Sodium 2661.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 46.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 4.5g	0%
Total Sugars 2.8g
Protein 11.6g	0%

Vitamin D 7IU	0%
Calcium 45.0mg	0%
Iron 3.1mg	0%
Potassium 459.0mg	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: 71.2%

Protein: 5.8%

Carbs: 23.0%