Roasted Squash & Tomato Grain Bowl

Serves 4 · 15 min prep · 35 min cook

Ingredients

• 1 medium (about 2 lb) butternut squash
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup dry quinoa
• 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed chickpeas
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp leaves fresh thyme
• 1 lemon
• 4 cups baby spinach
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. 1Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Peel and cube the butternut squash into roughly 3/4-inch pieces so they roast evenly.
2. 2Toss the squash cubes on the sheet with a drizzle of olive oil, minced garlic, thyme leaves, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes until every piece is lightly coated. Spread in a single layer with space between cubes.
3. 3Roast for 20 minutes, then scatter the cherry tomatoes and drained chickpeas onto the same sheet. Give everything a gentle toss and return to the oven for 12–15 minutes more, until the squash is deeply golden at the edges and the tomatoes have blistered and collapsed slightly.
4. 4While the vegetables roast, rinse the quinoa under cold water. Combine it with water in a medium saucepan according to package ratio, bring to a boil, then cover and simmer on low until the grains are tender and the little rings separate, about 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and keep covered off heat.
5. 5Zest the lemon over the warm quinoa, then squeeze in the juice and a splash of olive oil. Toss so the grains stay fluffy and lightly dressed.
6. 6Divide the baby spinach among four bowls. Spoon a bed of the lemony quinoa over the greens so residual heat just wilts the leaves.
7. 7Top each bowl with a generous scoop of the roasted squash, blistered tomatoes, and chickpeas. Crumble feta over the hot vegetables so it softens slightly.
8. 8Finish with toasted pumpkin seeds, an extra grind of black pepper, and any remaining pan juices from the sheet. Serve warm or pack into containers for a work-friendly lunch that holds well at room temperature.