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Roasted Veggie Grain Bowl with Balsamic Dressing: Warm, roasted veggies, hearty grains, creamy goat cheese, and fresh greens drizzled with a tasty balsamic vinaigrette create a healthy, comforting, and fulfilling meal. We can’t get enough of this!
You will also love our warm fregola salad, warm bean salad, and cauliflower soup.
Best Veggie Grain Bowl
These vegetable grain bowls are healthy and perfect for meal prep! They are plant-based and filled with protein and delicious flavors. The yummy sauce doubles as a marinade and dressing for one of the best meals!
- Flavor Explosion: The homemade balsamic dressing perfectly balances tangy and savory flavors, complementing the sweetness of the roasted veggies.
- Nutrient-rich: This bowl is a nutrient powerhouse packed with wholesome ingredients like farro, dark leafy greens, chickpeas, and sweet potatoes.
- Texture Heaven: Enjoy a delightful mix of textures from the crunchy pistachios, creamy goat cheese, tender roasted veggies, and chewy farro.
- Versatile & Customizable: You can easily swap out veggies or grains based on what you have on hand, making this recipe versatile and adaptable to your preferences.
You’ll also love my Harvest Salad.
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
These ingredients combine to create a deliciously balanced grain bowl full of varied textures and flavors that make each bite a delightful experience. Buon appetito!
Balsamic Dressing:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Adds a rich, fruity base to the dressing, providing smoothness and depth.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Brings a sweet and tangy flavor that balances the richness of the olive oil.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a tangy, sharp note that enhances the overall taste and helps emulsify the dressing.
- Garlic: Infuses the dressing with a subtle, aromatic spiciness.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that bring out the flavors of all the ingredients.
Roasted Veggies:
- Cauliflower: When roasted, it becomes tender and slightly caramelized, adding a nutty flavor.
- Chickpeas: Roasted chickpeas become crispy and provide a satisfying crunch and protein boost.
- Petite Diced Sweet Potatoes: Sweet and tender with a slight caramelization from roasting, adding natural sweetness and vibrant color.
Grain Bowl:
- Farro: A chewy, nutty ancient grain that serves as a hearty base for the bowl.
- Dark Leafy Greens: Fresh greens like spinach, fresh kale, or arugula add a crisp, nutritious layer.
- Pistachios: Provide a crunchy texture and a rich, buttery flavor.
- Goat Cheese: Adds creaminess and a tangy, slightly earthy taste that complements the other ingredients.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make a Veggie Grain Bowl
In a few easy steps, you’ll have these nutritious bowls on your table! For more complete instructions, see the printable recipe card.
Make the homemade balsamic dressing and set aside.
Add all the veggies to a large bowl to toss and season.
Roast the veggie in the oven.
Cook the farro grain and strain.
Cook farro and toss with fresh kale. Pour in some of the dressing.
Add the roasted veggies to the bowl with kale and grains and toss with the dressing.
Add the cheese, nuts, and avocado just before serving. Enjoy!
The best part of these veggie grain bowls is they make amazing leftovers- if you have any!
Substitutions
- Cauliflower: Swap with broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or bell peppers.
- Potatoes: Use butternut squash, carrots, or regular potatoes.
- Chickpeas: Replace with black beans, white beans, lentils, or edamame.
- Farro: Substitute with quinoa, brown rice, barley, or couscous.
- Dark Leafy Greens: Use any mix of spinach, kale, arugula, or Swiss chard.
- Pistachios: Try almonds, walnuts, pecans, or sunflower seeds.
- Goat Cheese: Replace with feta or blue cheese, or omit for a dairy-free dish.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Substitute with red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice.
- Chickpeas (for additional protein): Add grilled chicken, tofu, or tempeh for extra protein.
Variations
Mediterranean Twist:
- Veggies: Toss in red onions, cherry tomatoes, and red onions.
- Grain: Swap the farro for quinoa or bulgur.
- Greens: Opt for baby spinach or a mix of fresh greens.
- Nuts: Try pine nuts for a buttery crunch.
- Cheese: Feta cheese adds a salty, tangy kick. Add Parmesan shavings or a dollop of ricotta. Basil pesto is an optional dressing.
Autumn Harvest Bowls:
- Veggies: Incorporate roasted butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, and red onions.
- Grain: Use wild rice or barley for a rustic touch.
- Greens: Baby kale or arugula adds a fresh bite.
- Nuts: Walnuts or pecans for a seasonal crunch.
- Cheese: Crumbled blue cheese or sharp cheddar for a bold flavor.
- Dressing: Add a dash of maple syrup and a pinch of cinnamon to the balsamic.
Storage
Store each component (roasted veggies, cooked grains, greens, dressing) separately in airtight containers (this keeps everything fresh, but you can store once tossed). Store for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Keep the dressing in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to a week. Shake well before using. Enjoy this easy meal as delcious leftovers!
My Pro Tip
Recipe Tips
- Place the veggies in a single layer for even baking
- If you use kale, massage the leaves with olive oil and lemon juice before adding it to the bowl. This softens the kale and gives it flavor.
FAQs
A grain bowl includes a base of grains like farro or quinoa, a variety of veggies, a protein source such as chickpeas or chicken, fresh greens, and toppings like nuts or seeds. It’s finished with cheese for creaminess and a dressing like balsamic vinaigrette for flavor.
Grain bowls can be enjoyed either warm or cold, making them versatile for different seasons and preferences. Warm grain bowls are comforting and ideal for cooler weather, featuring warm grains and roasted vegetables. Cold grain bowls are refreshing, perfect for summer, and often include chilled grains and fresh veggies. Both options are delicious and can be customized to suit your taste.
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Print
Roasted Veggie Grain Bowl with Balsamic Dressing
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Description
Roasted Veggie Grain Bowl with Balsamic Dressing: Warm, roasted veggies combined with hearty grains, creamy goat cheese, and fresh greens drizzled with a tasty balsamic vinaigrette create a healthy, comforting, and fulfilling meal. We can’t get enough of these!
Ingredients
For the Balsamic Dressing:
- 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar (preferably “di Modena”)
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, smashed so juices come out but still whole
- Sea salt and fresh-ground pepper to taste
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
For the Roasted Veggies:
- 1 small head of cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups petite diced sweet potatoes
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 of the balsamic dressing
For the Grain Bowl:
- 1 cup uncooked farro (or any other grain of your choice)
- 2 cups dark leafy greens (such as spinach, kale, or arugula)
- 1/4 cup salted pistachios, shelled
- 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
- The remaining half of the balsamic dressing
- Fresh sliced avocado, optional for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the Balsamic Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper, as well as optional Italian seasoning, until well combined. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
- Roast the Veggies: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss the cauliflower florets, chickpeas, and diced sweet potatoes in a large mixing bowl with half of the balsamic dressing (not the garlic cloves). Ensure the veggies are evenly coated. Spread the veggies in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the veggies are tender and slightly caramelized, stirring halfway through.
- Cook the Farro: While the veggies are roasting, cook the Farro according to the package instructions. Typically, this involves boiling the farro in salted water for about 20-25 minutes until tender. Drain any excess water and set aside. You can also use brown rice or quinoa.
- Assemble the Grain Bowl: Combine the cooked farro and dark leafy greens in a large serving bowl. The warmth of the farro will slightly wilt the greens. Add the roasted veggies on top of the farro and greens. Sprinkle with pistachios and crumbled goat cheese.
- Finish with Dressing: Drizzle the remaining half of the balsamic dressing over the assembled grain bowl. Toss gently to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Serve: Serve the grain bowl warm or at room temperature. Top with creamy avocado slices, if desired. Enjoy your healthy and flavorful Roasted Veggie Grain Bowl!
Notes
Top Tips
- Place the veggies in a single layer for even baking.
- If you are using kale, massage the leaves with a bit of olive oil and lemon juice before adding to the bowl.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Savory
- Method: American
- Cuisine: American
It’s nourishing, filling, healthy, and delcious! You’ll love this veggie packed grain bowl.