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	993.4 grams (993.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1573

Total Fat 94.80g	122%
Saturated Fat 31.00g	155%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 127mg	42%
Sodium 2814mg	122%
Total Carbohydrate 110.50g	40%
Dietary Fiber 0.50g	2%
Total Sugars 19.00g
Protein 66.70g	133%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 924mg	71%
Iron 7mg	36%
Potassium 412mg	9%

*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%