Autumn Glow Quinoa Bowls – Glow & Glaze
Introduction
Experience the season’s best flavors with Autumn Glow Quinoa Bowls – Glow & Glaze. This nourishing recipe perfectly captures the essence of fall, featuring roasted veggies, hearty quinoa, and a luscious glazed dressing full of warmth and comfort. It’s a vibrant, wholesome dish that’s ideal for lunches, easy dinners, or as a crowd-pleasing side at your autumn gatherings.
Why You’ll Love These Autumn Glow Quinoa Bowls
Bursting with color and nutrition, Autumn Glow Quinoa Bowls combine sweet roasted squash and carrots, earthy kale, protein-rich quinoa, and crunchy pecans. The real star is the simple glaze: a tangy-sweet dressing that ties all the flavors together. This bowl embodies the perfect balance of texture and flavor, making it an irresistible, healthy option for both meal prep and entertaining.
The Signature Glow & Glaze Dressing
What sets this recipe apart is its signature “glaze”—a quick whisk of olive oil, pure maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and a hint of Dijon mustard. This dressing adds luscious shine and depth, bringing unity and brightness to every ingredient in the bowl. Make it ahead and keep it in the fridge for effortless weeknight meals that truly glow.
Building Your Autumn Glow Quinoa Bowls
Begin by roasting butternut squash and carrots until caramelized and tender. Prepare a batch of fluffy quinoa and massage fresh kale for extra tenderness. Layer the ingredients in bowls, then top with roasted veggies, toasted pecans, and dried cranberries. Finish with a generous drizzle of the Glow & Glaze dressing for a complete, nutrient-dense meal.
Serving Suggestions for Maximum Glow
For extra protein, add roasted chickpeas or crumble feta cheese over the top. Serve alongside crusty whole-grain bread, or pair with grilled chicken for an even heartier meal. These bowls are easy to customize—swap in sweet potatoes, add sliced apples, or sprinkle with pumpkin seeds for a unique twist.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields 4 abundant servings. Each bowl provides approximately 415 calories, plenty of fiber, a healthy dose of plant-based protein, and a rainbow of vitamins from the variety of roasted vegetables. It’s a well-rounded meal designed to provide energy, satiety, and that unmistakable autumn glow.
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly generate a categorized shopping list. That way, every ingredient you need is neatly sorted by grocery department, making meal planning and grocery runs easier than ever!
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, toss the butternut squash and carrots with 1 tablespoon olive oil, maple syrup, cumin, salt, and pepper. Spread onto the baking sheet in a single layer.
- Roast vegetables for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping once, until golden and fork-tender.
- Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine quinoa and water (or broth). Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
- While quinoa cooks, massage the chopped kale with the remaining tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt for 1-2 minutes until slightly wilted and tender.
- Make the glaze dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- To assemble, divide quinoa and kale between four bowls. Top each with roasted squash and carrots, toasted pecans, and cranberries. Drizzle generously with the glaze dressing just before serving.
Weekly Meal Planning
Stay organized and save time by including this autumn-inspired bowl in your weekly meal plan. Save and schedule this recipe to automatically plan out your meals and create a cohesive shopping list that pulls in ingredients from every dish on your menu.
Planning Benefits:
- Automatically consolidates redundant ingredients across all your planned recipes
- Sorts every item by grocery store section for streamlined trips
- Helps prevent overspending and reduces food waste
- Keeps your meal prep on track and stress-free all week long
Pro tip: When planning multiple recipes, schedule your meals using CookifyAI to see exactly how much kale or quinoa you need for the entire week — no more guesswork!
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Enjoy the glow of autumn with these vibrant, nutrient-packed bowls, and let easy meal planning help you savor every bite.
