Lightly Spiced Vegetable Couscous

Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this Lightly Spiced Vegetable Couscous, a vibrant and wholesome dish packed with fresh, colorful produce and fragrant spices. Fluffy couscous is infused with the richness of vegetable broth and tossed with a medley of sautéed vegetables, including zucchini, red bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes. Aromatic seasonings like cumin, coriander, and paprika lend a warm, earthy depth, perfectly balanced by a splash of zesty lemon juice and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Ready in just 30 minutes, this quick and nutritious recipe is perfect as a light vegetarian main course or a flavorful side dish. Bursting with textures and bold Mediterranean-inspired flavors, it’s a simple yet satisfying option for busy days.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup couscous
• 1.25 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 medium carrot
• 1 medium zucchini
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 0.5 teaspoons paprika
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

Heat the vegetable broth in a medium pot until it comes to a boil.

Step 2

Place the couscous in a large, heatproof bowl and pour the hot vegetable broth over it. Cover the bowl with a plate or lid and let it sit for 5 minutes.

Step 3

While the couscous is resting, prepare the vegetables. Finely dice the onion, mince the garlic, and chop the carrot, zucchini, red bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes into small pieces.

Step 4

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until translucent.

Step 5

Add the minced garlic, carrot, zucchini, and red bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for 5–7 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.

Step 6

Stir in the ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1–2 minutes until the spices are fragrant.

Step 7

Add the cherry tomatoes and cook for an additional 2 minutes, just until the tomatoes begin to soften but still hold their shape.

Step 8

Fluff the couscous with a fork and add it to the skillet with the cooked vegetables. Gently mix to combine everything evenly.

Step 9

Stir in the freshly chopped parsley and lemon juice. Adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Step 10

Serve warm as a side dish or light main course. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1193.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	795.4

Total Fat 33.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.8g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4110.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 109.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.7g	0%
Total Sugars 36.1g
Protein 19.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 221.8mg	0%
Iron 7.3mg	0%
Potassium 2243.6mg	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: 36.9%

Protein: 9.7%

Carbs: 53.4%