Busy Couscous

Perfect for weeknights, "Busy Couscous" is a vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired dish that comes together in just 25 minutes. This quick and healthy recipe combines fluffy couscous with sautéed garlic, onion, and a medley of fresh vegetables like red bell pepper, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes, all seasoned with warm spices like cumin and paprika. A squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of fresh parsley bring a refreshing finish to this wholesome meal. Ideal as a light vegetarian entrée or a flavorful side dish, this versatile recipe is easy to customize and guaranteed to please. Whether you're short on time or craving something colorful and delicious, "Busy Couscous" has you covered!

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup couscous
• 1 cup vegetable broth (or water)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1 small zucchini, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground paprika
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
• 1 whole lemon, cut into wedges

Directions

Step 1

Heat the vegetable broth (or water) in a medium saucepan until it comes to a boil.

Step 2

Remove the saucepan from heat, add the couscous, stir briefly, and cover with a lid. Let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the couscous to absorb the broth.

Step 3

While the couscous rests, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and chopped onion to the skillet. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.

Step 5

Add the diced red bell pepper and zucchini to the skillet. Cook for another 4–5 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

Step 6

Stir in the cherry tomatoes, ground cumin, ground paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 more minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 7

Fluff the couscous with a fork to separate the grains, then transfer it to the skillet with the vegetables. Toss gently to combine and warm through.

Step 8

Taste and adjust the seasoning with extra salt or pepper, if needed.

Step 9

Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side for an extra burst of flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	978.4 grams (978.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	603

Total Fat 30.50g	39%
Saturated Fat 4.70g	24%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.80g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2056mg	89%
Total Carbohydrate 72.30g	26%
Dietary Fiber 11.60g	41%
Total Sugars 18.00g
Protein 13.40g	27%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 145mg	11%
Iron 5mg	28%
Potassium 1508mg	32%

*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: 44.5%

Protein: 8.7%

Carbs: 46.8%