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Vegetable Parmesan Quinoa in the Slow Cooker

January 16, 2014 by lauren.kelly 42 Comments

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This is one of those healthy recipes that is so ridiculously easy to prepare and delicious rolled into one. This Vegetable Parmesan Quinoa is naturally gluten-free, vegetarian, healthy, quick and easy.

Vegetable Parmesan Quinoa made in the Slow Cooker! Lauren Kelly NutritionThis is what I like to call perfection in a slow cooker. Do you love cooking with your slow cooker as much as I do? It just makes life so much easier, especially with these busy kids!

Because who doesn’t love prepping for a meal in the morning and then coming home later to dinner all done? I have three busy kids who I am running around after school and most nights. Enter my slow cooker and my night is simplified!

Many of my recipes are vegetarian or some even vegan. That’s mainly because many of you ask for lower calorie dishes (especially in January!) and I figured one easy way to cut calories to cut back on the meat.

Side note: I am not a huge meat eater. I eat chicken on occasion.

I am fully aware that that means I am not a vegetarian. I never claimed to be one. But man, I get some really weird comments and emails sometimes. One woman sent me a very long email explaining what a true vegetarian is and how dare I call myself one…

I  realize that many of my readers are vegetarian or vegan, some might be trying to cut back on eating meat and others might be curious in trying new, meatless recipes. Whatever the reason is, I am happy you are here.

I love all of the different textures in this dish. I also love that I used the slow cooker. I need to use my slow cooker more.  The first time I made this I was shocked how easy it is to cook quinoa in the slow cooker!

Also, go ahead and use whatever vegetables you’d like in this dish. Just be careful of the cooking time. I’ve used sweet potatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, carrots…you name it!

The only exception would be a leafy green vegetable like spinach, kale, collard greens etc. I wouldn’t add those until the last 20 minutes or so until they get slightly wilted, but are still brightly-colored green. This way no nutrients are lost in the cooking!

Vegetable Parmesan Quinoa made in the Slow Cooker! Lauren Kelly Nutrition

On those REALLY busy nights, I just might buy a bag of pre-cut broccoli and pre-chopped sun dried tomatoes. Whatever makes my life easier on those nights, I am taking advantage.

You can easily add some cooked shredded chicken or even some cooked chicken or turkey sausage to this dish.  On busy weeknights, I just shred a rotisserie chicken and add it the already cooked quinoa.

One thing to know, there is enough protein without the meat.  Sometimes you just need a little more. But yes, you can get all of your protein eating a plant-based diet.

You just have to be more prepared, that’s all. But before you message me and complain, it absolutely can be done. You just have to do it the right way, that’s all.

But before you ask me, I choose not to eat red meat or pork not for health reasons.  I cook meat for my family all the time.  It’s all about texture for me. Even the more perfectly cooked steak or pork chop doesn’t do it for me. And that’s ok.

I am just a super picky eater.  I think that’s why I work with a lot of children.  They relate to me because I totally get it.

I have come so far though since I was a picky little kid. I am still picky, just WAY healthier. But still picky nonetheless.

Ok, back to this meatless beauty…

This recipe is a perfectly well-balanced, healthy, vegetarian dish.  The quinoa and beans add enough protein to help keep you full and each serving has a generous helping of vegetables. And vitamins. And nutrients. You get my point.

Oh and it’s pretty amazing.  Man I love sun dried tomatoes…

Make your life easier and chop the vegetables the night before (if you didn’t surge on the pre-chopped veggies!). This way, it will take you minutes to put everything in the slow cooker and dinner will be ready a few hours later. This is my kind of dinner!

Go ahead and sprinkle some extra Parmesan cheese on top. I always do. I actually love the big chunks of freshly shaved Parmesan!

Vegetable Parmesan Quinoa made in the Slow Cooker
5 from 3 votes
Print

Vegetable Parmesan Quinoa in the Slow Cooker

Servings 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups quinoa rinsed and drained
  • 4 cups BPA-FREE organic vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 can BPA-FREE small white beans rinsed and drained
  • 1-2 cups broccoli florets chopped
  • 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes chopped (not in oil)
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 large zucchini sliced
  • 1 cup mushrooms wiped clean and sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt optional
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • salt and fresh black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. In a 4 o 5 quart slow cooker, place quinoa and broth and top with remaining ingredients.
  2. Place on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 5-6 hours.
  3. Fluff with a fork, top with Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper if desired. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 642 g
Amount Per Serving

Calories

272

Calories from Fat

50
% Daily Value*

Total Fat

5.6g
9%

Saturated Fat

1.4g
7%

Trans Fat

0.0g

Cholesterol

5mg
2%

Sodium

1305mg
54%

Total Carbohydrates

45.4g
15%

Dietary Fiber

8.5g
34%

Sugars

4.8g

Protein

14.2g

*Nutrition information is provided by caloriecount.com and isn’t 100% guaranteed accurate

Here are some more delicious, healthy meals that can be made in your slow cooker:

Slow Cooker White Chiciken Chili

This Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili is low carb, healthy and delicious!

Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore from Creme de la Creme

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork - Lauren Kelly Nutrition

Slow Cooker Tomato Kale Quinoa Soup from Damn Delicious

Slow Cooker Thai Curried Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole from Fit Foodie Finds

Slow Cooker Unsweetened Pear Applesauce

Slow Cooker Cabbage Soup from Spend with Pennies

Slow Cooker White Bean Soup

Easy Braised Chicken Drumsticks in Tomatillo Sauce from Skinnytaste

Slow Cooker Vanilla Almond Bars

Slow Cooker Cherry Almond Vanilla Bars are packed with nutrition and delicious!

Thank you so much for stopping by. Please come back and let me know if you made this or any of the other recipes I shared with you today. I love to hear from you!

You might also like

  • Crock Pot White Bean SoupCrock Pot White Bean Soup
  • Slow Cooker White Chocolate Pumpkin BarsSlow Cooker White Chocolate Pumpkin Bars
  • Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili {Low Carb, Gluten- Free}Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili {Low Carb, Gluten- Free}
  • Slow Cooker Thai Curried Chicken SoupSlow Cooker Thai Curried Chicken Soup
Signature

Filed Under: Gluten Free, Quinoa, Recipes, slow cooker, Vegetarian, Wheat Free Tagged With: easy, Gluten free, healthy, quick and easy, simple, slow cooker, vegetarian



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Comments

  1. Lin says

    January 16, 2014 at 1:53 pm

    Your cooking times don’t make sense. Both high and low calls for the same hours?

    Reply
    • lauren says

      January 16, 2014 at 2:09 pm

      OOOPS! Thank you so much for catching that Lin, I revised it 🙂

      Reply
  2. Wendy says

    January 17, 2014 at 4:29 am

    Could you add kale or spinach to this? Thanks

    Reply
    • lauren says

      January 17, 2014 at 12:05 pm

      Absolutely Wendy! I would stir in the raw spinach or kale at the end. Just keep stirring it in until it wilts. Thanks!

      Reply
  3. Lauren says

    February 8, 2014 at 6:43 pm

    Have you tried it without cheese? Would you make any substitutions or just leave the cheese out?

    Reply
  4. Maggie says

    February 8, 2014 at 10:18 pm

    This looks delicious! I’m just wondering how large a serving is, and what the nutrition facts are for each serving. Have you calculated that? Thank you! 🙂

    Reply
    • lauren says

      February 8, 2014 at 10:33 pm

      Hi Maggie! I just added the nutrition information on the bottom of the page. I hope you enjoy it 🙂

      Reply
      • Maggie says

        February 10, 2014 at 10:09 pm

        Thank you so much!!! I really appreciate it! 🙂

        Reply
  5. Tammy Dignan says

    March 30, 2014 at 2:15 pm

    This can be a wonderful dish, Quinoa is so healthy! And I love making things in the crock pot because it is easier.
    It cannot be called a vegetarian dish if you put in chicken stock, however, it woud be vegetarian if you used the vegetarian stock.
    I would also leave out the cheese and it would be a vegan dish!
    Adding kale would be an excellent idea, everything is better with kale. 🙂
    I did read your quote, “Side note: I am not a meat eater. I eat chicken on occasion.”
    If you eat chicken, you eat meat. Chicken is meat. Vegetarians eat no animals and fish and chickens are animals. Vegans do not eat or use any animals products, such as meat, dairy, eggs, leather, wool, etc.

    Reply
    • lauren says

      March 30, 2014 at 3:03 pm

      Hi Tammy! I love quinoa so much too, it’s so versatile. You are correct, this would not be considered vegetarian with chicken stock. I just gave chicken stock as an option for those who may not have vegetable stock (and who aren’t vegetarians). And yes, I updated my quote to read “I am not a huge meat eater”. I am not vegetarian, I do eat chicken on occasion. I also don’t really label myself anything, I don’t eat much cheese, no red meat or pork, no seafood…I am just a picky eater 🙂 Thank you for stopping by, I hope you like it!!

      Reply
  6. Amanda says

    September 1, 2014 at 5:21 pm

    This looks great, but FYI, Parmesan cheese is not vegetarian. This type of cheese is not suitable for vegetarians as it contains rennet, which is an enzyme found inside cow stomach. Vegetarians should choose a different type of cheese to substitute.

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      September 1, 2014 at 5:58 pm

      Yes Amanda, this is very true! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  7. Renee says

    February 6, 2015 at 2:40 am

    5 stars
    Wow some people are just nasty like Tammy.. I mean this woman Lauren posted a pretty damn tasty recipe on here for others to enjoy and you want to correct her on what a vegetarian is… that’s ridiculous… Plus if she eats chicken and not red meat than technically she is a ‘POLLO VEGETARIAN’ maybe you should look up your facts before you start cutting on people Tammy… didn’t your mother teach you if you have nothing nice to say don’t say anything at all???

    Most importantly.. thank you for sharing this Lauren! Many websites charge for nutritious recipes like this one and then don’t share the nutrition info. I can’t wait to make this dish with all the parmesan cheese and pollo included! Have an awesome weekend!

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      February 6, 2015 at 3:12 am

      Thanks so much Renee. I am my own type of picky eater, I never classify myself as anything BUT I just may start calling myself a POLLO VEGETARIAN! 😉 I really appreciate your support and I hope you like the recipe!

      Reply
  8. Megan @ MegUnprocessed says

    February 23, 2016 at 8:03 pm

    I love quinoa dishes! This one looks tasty!

    Reply
  9. Christy Jordan says

    February 24, 2016 at 2:02 pm

    5 stars
    This looks amazing!

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      February 25, 2016 at 7:32 pm

      Thank you Christy!

      Reply
  10. Vicky @ Avocado Pesto says

    February 25, 2016 at 7:12 pm

    Never knew you could make quinoa with other veggies in the slow cooker! Amazed that the consistency looks perfect after hours of cooking! Also not a huge meat eater so all for vegan and vegetarian meals : )

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      February 25, 2016 at 7:32 pm

      I’m not either and this is one of my favorites Vicky!

      Reply
  11. Wanda Lopez says

    February 26, 2016 at 5:46 pm

    Love slow cooker meals. I was looking for a good quinoa recipe. Thanks for sharing this recipe, looks delicious.

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      February 26, 2016 at 7:25 pm

      Thanks so much Wanda!

      Reply
  12. Regina says

    June 27, 2016 at 9:20 pm

    Are leftovers tasty on reheat?

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      June 28, 2016 at 12:37 am

      Absolutely Regina!

      Reply
  13. Crabby says

    January 8, 2017 at 7:55 pm

    This looks yummy, thanks for the recipe. And I’m pretty impressed with how nice your responses are to some of these know-it-all’s.

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      January 8, 2017 at 7:59 pm

      🙂 Thank you! I hope you like it!!

      Reply
  14. Bill says

    January 9, 2017 at 12:44 am

    5 stars
    Lauren,

    Love the recipes. With that being said, do you know about how many cups 672 grams is? Our food scale broke and are in the process of getting a new one. Thanks for any help you can give.

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      January 9, 2017 at 12:49 am

      Hi Bill! I am confused, what do you have that is 672 grams?

      Reply
      • Bill says

        January 9, 2017 at 1:00 am

        Lauren,

        Sorry about that. The serving size says 672 grams.

        Nutrition Facts
        Serving Size 642 g
        Amount Per Serving

        I was just wondering if you knew approximately how many cups that would be?

        Thanks again, love the meal.

        Bill

        Reply
        • Bill says

          January 9, 2017 at 1:01 am

          Whoops….642grams. :-#

          Reply
  15. Marie says

    April 5, 2018 at 5:16 pm

    I know this post is from a while ago, but I was wondering about using a 3-quart slow cooker for this recipe. If I cut the ingredients in half, does it change the cooking time?? This is my first time using a crockpot. It looks really delicious and my boyfriend is a vegetarian so I plan on making this soon!

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      April 5, 2018 at 7:37 pm

      Hi Marie! It should be the same amount of time. I hope you like it! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply

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