Lauren Kelly Nutrition

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Caprese Quinoa Salad {Gluten-Free, Vegetarian}

by 26 Comments

Simple to make, healthy and delicious, this Caprese Quinoa Salad is a huge crowd pleaser!

This Caprese Quinoa Salad is simple to make, healthy and delicious. Even carnivores will love this vegetarian salad. www.laurenkellynutrition.com

When I think of summer foods, I picture light salads, grilled vegetables and of course, fun cocktails! (We all believe in moderation, right?)  This salad is so fresh and light and packed with protein, even without any meat.  Quinoa provides all the essential amino acids (building blocks of protein) and the vegetables, fresh basil and mozzarella pack on the flavor!

This Caprese Quinoa Salad is simple to make, healthy and delicious. Even carnivores will love this vegetarian salad. www.laurenkellynutrition.com

During the summer I usually only share 1-2 recipes a week because my (very busy) children are home with me.  School has even officially ended yet and I am already feeling crazed.  Why are there so many presentations and parties in the last few weeks of school?

One of the many good things about having my kids home with me is that they love to help me while  I take my pictures.  Which is very helpful (at times) because this is me, holding the dressing bottle in one hand, while trying to hold the camera in the other hand and snap this picture.  Not so great.  I need my little helpers.

This Caprese Quinoa Salad is simple to make, healthy and delicious. Even carnivores will love this vegetarian salad. www.laurenkellynutrition.com

So back to summer…although it hasn’t really started yet, we are certainly busy with sports and such after school.  I made this on one of those busy nights and I let it sit in the refrigerator to “marinate” a bit.  It was delicious!

This Caprese Quinoa Salad is simple to make, healthy and delicious. Even carnivores will love this vegan salad. www.laurenkellynutrition.com
5 from 1 vote
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Caprese Quinoa Salad

Course dinner
Servings 6 -8 servings
Author Lauren Kelly Nutrition

Ingredients

  • 2 cups uncooked quinoa rinsed and drained
  • 32 ounces vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup red grape tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 cup yellow grape tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 cup fresh mozzarella sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil. torn and chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic diced
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook quinoa in vegetable broth according to instructions.
  2. Allow to cool completely.
  3. Prepare dressing by adding oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper in sealable glass jar. Shake well.
  4. Add tomatoes, basil and mozzarella cheese to cooled quinoa.
  5. Toss with dressing and allow to sit in the refrigerator for a couple of hours so all of the flavors marinade.

Here’s to healthy light salads all summer long!

This Caprese Quinoa Salad is simple to make, healthy and delicious. Even carnivores will love this vegetarian salad. www.laurenkellynutrition.com

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Comments

  6. Just made this salad tonight but put a twist on it…added the cherry tomatoes with tomato and basil Feta cheese, avocado, and asparagus. Made your dressing as well…super excited to see how it turns out!!

    Reply

  8. loving this recipe even more, I made it at the weekend and all I can say is More more more 🙂

    Reply

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