Todd always wants pizza. It's nonstop really, obnoxiously so. The problem is...pizza's not really the best thing to eat day-in and day-out. In addition, vegan pizza isn't cheap and homemade pizza can be an exhaustive effort on a weeknight. Enter Pizza Quinoa with Summer Squash. This dish is pizza-esque but healthier than it's predecessor, cheaper and quicker too! So, how did it hold up with the Pizza Monster? He loved it! Try it on your "Pizza Monster" and see what he thinks.
Quinoa with red tomato sauce, melted mozzarella cheese, sauteed summer squash and wilted spinach all topped with parmesan cheese, fresh basil and crushed red pepper flakes. It's a pizza-esque quinoa dish that's sure to satisfy any monster pizza craving, and all done in snap!
Pizza Quinoa with Summer Squash
Inspired by Girl Makes Food
Serves 4
- 1 1/2 cups dry quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups water
- 1 tsp. olive oil
- 1 medium summer squash, chopped
- 1 15 oz. can of tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup vegan mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- salt and pepper to taste
- sprinkling of red pepper flakes, for garnish
- sprinkling of parmesan cheese, for garnish
- chopped fresh basil and oregano, for garnish
Rinse the quinoa. If you've had bad experience with quinoa being bitter, it's probably because it wasn't rinsed. Even if it says "pre-rinsed" on the package, rinse it anyway! Place the quinoa in a medium saucepan with the water. Pro-Tip: spray the inside of the pot first with a nonstick cooking spray. Bring to a boil then turn down to low, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a medium frying pan. Chop up the summer squash and add to the pan. Saute about 10 minutes or until it's softened. Below you'll see the chopping process through our "Bailey-Cam"....he's just quietly lurking...always waiting and watching...
Once the quinoa is done, fluff with a fork and remove from heat. Add the squash, tomato sauce, cheese and spinach. Stir well to combine.
Add salt and pepper to taste and top with red pepper flakes, parmesan and fresh basil. Mamma mia that's delizioso!
- 1 1/2 cups dry quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups water
- 1 tsp. olive oil
- 1 medium summer squash, chopped
- 1 15 oz. can of tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup vegan mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup spinach
- salt and pepper to taste
- sprinkling of red pepper flakes, for garnish
- sprinkling of parmesan cheese, for garnish
- fresh basil and oregano, for garnish
- Rinse the quinoa. Place in a medium saucepan with the water. Bring to a boil then turn down to low, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Saute chopped squash in heated oil for about 10 minutes or until it's tender.
- Once the quinoa is done, fluff with a fork. Remove from heat and add the squash, tomato sauce, cheese and spinach. Stir well to combine.
- Add salt and pepper to taste and top with red pepper flakes, parmesan and fresh basil. Mamma mia that's delizioso!
