Savory Spinach Sweet Potato Quinoa Bowl (Printable Version)
Protein-packed quinoa bowl with roasted sweet potatoes, sautéed spinach, and a perfectly cooked egg for a hearty morning meal.
# Ingredient List:
→ Grains
01 - 1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed
02 - 1 cup water
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced
04 - 2 cups fresh baby spinach
05 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 1 clove garlic, minced
→ Protein
07 - 2 large eggs
→ Seasonings & Oils
08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
12 - 2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
13 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives or parsley, chopped
14 - 1/2 avocado, sliced
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss the diced sweet potato with 1 tablespoon olive oil, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Spread in an even layer on a baking sheet and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and fork-tender.
02 - While the sweet potatoes roast, combine the rinsed quinoa and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until all liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff gently with a fork.
03 - Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced red onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the spinach and toss until just wilted, about 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat.
04 - Cook the eggs to your preferred style — fried, poached, or soft-boiled — in a separate skillet or pot. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
05 - Divide the fluffy quinoa evenly between two serving bowls. Arrange the roasted sweet potatoes and sautéed spinach and onion mixture alongside the quinoa. Place one egg on top of each bowl. Finish with crumbled feta, fresh herbs, and sliced avocado if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Sweet potatoes roasted with smoked paprika will make your kitchen smell like a place you actually want to wake up in.
- Everything cooks simultaneously, so you are not standing around starving while one component finishes.
- It reheats surprisingly well, which means you can make extra and have breakfast sorted for days.
02 -
- Do not skip rinsing the quinoa or the whole bowl will have a soapy bitterness no amount of feta can fix.
- If you crowd the sweet potatoes on the pan they will steam instead of roast and you will miss the crispy edges that make this special.
03 -
- Taste the sweet potatoes before you take them out of the oven and if they need more time give them five more minutes rather than settling for chalky centers.
- Cooking the eggs last means they hit the bowl while still hot and runny, which is the whole point of this breakfast.