Rainbow Buddha Bowl Easy Vegetarian Meal Idea
Table of Contents
Quick Hook
Trying a Buddha Bowl Recipe - Easy tonight?
It balances sweet, nutty and lemony flavors.
Honestly, I fell for it the first weeknight.
Brief Overview
This Buddha Bowl joins modern Buddha Bowls Recipe trends.
The concept comes from balanced, single bowl meals.
Difficulty is easy and forgiving.
Total time about 40 45 minutes .
Yields two generous bowls and serves two.
High heat, about 425° F ( 220° C) , caramelizes edges.
Flavor Snapshot
Expect creamy avocado, roasted sweet potato, and bright tahini.
Crunch comes from toasted seeds and crisp Roasted Broccoli .
If you like bold tastes, the tahini adds citrusy depth.
Main Benefits
High in fiber and plant protein, it fuels you well.
Quinoa and chickpeas provide sustained energy and fullness.
Perfect as a Weeknight healthy bowl recipe for busy nights.
Think of it as a Quinoa and roasted sweet potato bowl .
It also works as a Roasted chickpea quinoa bowl for meal prep.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
Textures contrast creamy, tender, and crisp in each bite.
The Tahini lemon dressing recipe ties flavors together nicely.
Swap quinoa for Whole Grain Rice for a heartier base.
Or try Pesto Quinoa Bowl With Broccoli & Sweet Potato sometimes.
This is my go-to when I want comfort without guilt.
I screwed up crisping chickpeas once.
They were soggy and sad at first.
Patting them dry fixed everything instantly.
This doubles as an Easy vegetarian Buddha bowl .
It’s flexible, colorful, and fridge friendly.
On to the ingredients.
Ingredients & Equipment
Fun stat: bowls with lots of veg boost veggie intake. I use that as my excuse. Buddha Bowl Recipe - Easy is my go-to weeknight fix.
Main Ingredients
For the grain:
- 3/4 cup dry quinoa (150 g) , rinsed.
- 1 1/4 cups water (300 ml) or vegetable broth.
For roasted veg and chickpeas:
- 1 medium sweet potato (10 oz / 300 g) , cut into 3/4 inch (2 cm) cubes.
- 1 small head broccoli (10 oz / 280 g) , florets (~2 cups / 200 g).
- 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can chickpeas , drained and patted dry.
- 2 tbsp olive oil (30 ml) , divided.
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika , 1/2 tsp ground cumin .
- 1/4 1/2 tsp fine sea salt , 1/4 tsp black pepper .
Fresh components and toppings:
- 4 cups mixed greens (~120 g).
- 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced.
- 1 ripe avocado, sliced.
- 2 tbsp toasted pumpkin or sesame seeds.
- 3 tbsp tahini (45 g) for dressing.
Quality notes:
- Choose firm sweet potato. No soft spots.
- Pick tight, deep green broccoli florets.
- Buy creamy, runny tahini. Not the dry kind.
- Use firm, dry canned chickpeas for crisp roasting.
Seasoning Notes
Essential spice trio: smoked paprika, cumin, sea salt. It lifts roasted broccoli and sweet potato. For the tahini lemon dressing recipe use tahini, 2 tbsp lemon juice (30 ml) , 1 tbsp maple syrup (15 ml) , garlic, and warm water to thin.
Flavor enhancers: lemon zest, toasted seeds, a splash of soy. Aromatics: minced garlic and fresh parsley. Quick subs: maple for honey, tamari for soy, sunflower butter for tahini.
If you want a Roasted chickpea quinoa bowl vibe, add a dash of soy during roasting. For a Pesto Quinoa Bowl With Broccoli & Sweet Potato swap the dressing.
Equipment Needed
Essential tools only: medium saucepan with lid, baking sheet, parchment, mixing bowls, whisk, chef’s knife, cutting board, measuring cups and spoons, spatula or tongs.
Household swaps: use a skillet if no oven. Use foil if no parchment. A colander works for rinsing quinoa.
I once overcooked quinoa. Never again. Keep things simple. This makes an Easy vegetarian Buddha bowl and a great Weeknight healthy bowl recipe. Enjoy assembling your Quinoa and roasted sweet potato bowl.
Cooking Method Quick Notes
“Eat the rainbow,” my grandma used to say. I swear bowls taste better that way. This Rainbow Buddha Bowl is exactly that.
It’s a real weeknight winner and a proper Buddha Bowl Recipe - Easy . Think Pesto Quinoa Bowl With Broccoli & Sweet Potato vibes, but with tahini.
Prep Steps
- Essential mise en place: rinse 3/4 cup quinoa , cube one sweet potato, trim broccoli, drain chickpeas.
- Time saving tip: heat the oven while you rinse quinoa. Multitask like a pro.
- Safety reminder: oven racks are hot. Use oven mitts and set pans on heatproof surfaces.
step-by-step Process
- Cook quinoa. Bring quinoa and 1 1/4 cups water to boil. Simmer 12– 15 minutes . Fluff and rest 5 minutes .
- Preheat oven to 425° F ( 220° C) . Toss sweet potato, broccoli, and chickpeas with oil and spices. Spread on sheets.
- Roast for 20– 25 minutes , turning once. Look for golden sweet potato, charred broccoli, and blistered chickpeas.
- Whisk tahini, lemon, maple, garlic, and warm water. Thin to pourable consistency. This is your Tahini lemon dressing recipe .
- Assemble bowls. Layer quinoa, roasted veg, chickpeas, greens, pepper, avocado, and seeds. Drizzle dressing. Squeeze lemon.
Visual cues matter. Sweet potato must be fork tender. Broccoli edges should char. Chickpeas should snap when bitten. If chickpeas aren’t crisp, roast an extra 5– 10 minutes , watching closely.
Pro Tips
- Technique: give veg space on the tray. Crowding causes steaming, not roasting.
- Shortcut: roast chickpeas on a separate small sheet for max crispness.
- Mistakes to avoid: don’t skip patting chickpeas dry. Wet chickpeas stay soggy.
- make-ahead: cook quinoa and roast veg up to 3 days ahead. Reheat or serve room temp for a fast Weeknight healthy bowl recipe .
Honestly, this feels like a cozy hug. I often swap quinoa for Whole Grain Rice or make a Roasted chickpea quinoa bowl twist.
Try it your way. It’s an Easy vegetarian Buddha bowl that actually fills you up.
Recipe Notes
I love this bowl. Honestly, it became my go-to on busy nights. If you typed Buddha Bowl Recipe - Easy into a search, this is the kind of thing you'd find.
It’s bright, filling, and forgiving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve warm quinoa with roasted veg. Arrange colors like a magazine photo. Try a side of warm pita or crusty flatbread.
I often pair it with iced green tea. It keeps things light. For a fancier touch, top with a drizzle from my favorite Tahini lemon dressing recipe .
Try the Pesto Quinoa Bowl With Broccoli & Sweet Potato vibe sometimes. Or swap in Whole Grain Rice for comfort.
This works as an Easy vegetarian Buddha bowl or a Weeknight healthy bowl recipe .
Storage Tips
Cool components before storing. Keep quinoa and roasted vegetables in airtight tubs. Refrigerate up to 3 4 days. Freeze only cooked chickpeas for longer.
Reheat gently. Microwave for 60 90 seconds. Or warm in a skillet. Avoid reheating avocado. Add fresh avocado just before serving.
Variations
Want it gluten-free or low-carb? Use cauliflower rice or farro. Need more protein? Toss in pan-fried tofu or crumbled feta.
For seasonal swaps, use roasted carrots or beets in fall. Use cherry tomatoes or grilled corn in summer. I sometimes turn it into a Roasted chickpea quinoa bowl by adding extra spices.
Another favorite is the Quinoa and roasted sweet potato bowl twist.
Nutrition Basics
Per serving this bowl gives roughly 620 calories. It packs about 13 16 g fiber. That fiber number really helps keep you full.
It also supplies 20 24 g protein with chickpeas and quinoa. Key benefits: balanced carbs, plant protein, healthy fats from avocado and tahini.
These ingredients support steady energy and gut health.
I once burned chickpeas. Pat them dry next time. That little step changed everything. Try this bowl today. You’ll be surprised how fast it becomes a favorite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Buddha Bowl Recipe - Easy healthy and balanced?
Yes the bowl is designed for balance: a whole grain (quinoa) for complex carbs, roasted chickpeas for plant protein, plenty of vegetables for micronutrients and fiber, and healthy fats from avocado and tahini.
Per serving it’s around 600 650 kcal with roughly 20 24 g protein and 13 16 g fiber, but you can lower calories by using less tahini or avocado and add more greens for volume. If you need more protein, add extra chickpeas, marinated tofu, or a sprinkle of feta.
How do I get the chickpeas really crispy every time?
Pat the chickpeas very dry before seasoning moisture is the enemy of crunch and roast at a high temperature (425°F / 220°C) on a single layer so they brown instead of steam.
Give them space on the tray, turn once halfway through, and if needed finish in a hot skillet for a minute or two to blister them further. Reserving a few extra roasted chickpeas to crush as a crunchy garnish is a neat trick that adds texture like croutons.
Can I meal prep these bowls and what’s the best way to store them?
Yes make the components ahead: cooked quinoa and roasted vegetables/chickpeas keep well in airtight containers in the fridge for 3 4 days. Store the dressing and sliced avocado separately (avocado lasts best if added just before serving) and assemble bowls just before eating to preserve texture think less Tupperware mush, more restaurant style crispness.
To reheat, warm quinoa and veg in the oven or microwave, then add fresh greens and toppings.
What are easy swaps or variations for this Buddha Bowl Recipe - Easy?
Swap quinoa for brown rice, farro, or cauliflower rice; replace sweet potato with roasted squash or beets; and switch chickpeas for roasted white beans, tempeh or marinated tofu for different textures.
Change the dressing to miso ginger for an Asian twist or lemon oregano and feta for a Mediterranean version the bowl’s component based nature makes it very adaptable. For gluten-free and vegan diets, stick to quinoa and maple syrup and avoid feta or use a dairy-free alternative.
Any tips to speed up prep for a weeknight Buddha bowl?
Multitask: start the quinoa so it cooks while you chop and toss vegetables, then roast everything at the same time on separate areas of sheets to save oven time. Use pre-washed salad greens, microwave steamed sweet potato cubes or frozen roasted veg in a pinch, and make the dressing ahead store-bought tahini mixed with lemon and a splash of water can be a quick shortcut.
Think sheet pan efficiency (don’t crowd the tray) and you can have dinner ready in about 30 40 minutes.
Rainbow Buddha Bowl Easy Vegetarian Meal Idea
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 620 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 22 g |
| Fat | 34 g |
| Carbs | 72 g |
| Fiber | 14 g |
| Sugar | 10 g |
| Sodium | 510 mg |