Quinoa Caprese

Brighten up your dinner table with this refreshing and wholesome Quinoa Caprese, a vibrant twist on the classic Caprese salad. Packed with fluffy quinoa, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella balls, and fragrant fresh basil, this recipe offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Drizzled with a tangy-sweet balsamic dressing made with honey and olive oil, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s both nutritious and delicious. Ready in just 30 minutes, this gluten-free dish makes for a versatile option—serve it as a light main course, a flavorful side, or a meal-prep-friendly salad that tastes even better as the flavors meld. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or elegant entertaining, this Quinoa Caprese is a surefire way to impress!

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine)
• 0.5 cup fresh basil leaves
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the quinoa under cold water using a fine-mesh strainer to remove any bitterness.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender.

Step 3

Fluff the cooked quinoa with a fork and let it cool to room temperature.

Step 4

While the quinoa cools, slice the cherry tomatoes in halves and tear the basil leaves into smaller pieces if they are too large.

Step 5

In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and torn basil leaves.

Step 7

Drizzle the balsamic dressing over the mixture and gently toss everything until evenly coated.

Step 8

Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.

Step 9

Serve the Quinoa Caprese immediately or refrigerate for up to two hours to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(993.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1573.4

Total Fat 94.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 31.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 127.1mg	0%
Sodium 2813.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 110.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 0.5g	0%
Total Sugars 19.0g
Protein 66.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 924.4mg	0%
Iron 6.5mg	0%
Potassium 412.0mg	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: 54.6%

Protein: 17.1%

Carbs: 28.3%