This Mediterranean Quinoa Soup is packed with vegetarian protein and a comforting garlic lemon broth. A quick 30 minute weeknight soup to whip up on a cold night!
During the winter months, I love having soup to bring to work for a hot lunch. Truthfully though, it never holds me for long unless I have lots of add-ins.
This soup fits the bill for those of you needing to dig a big spoon into something tasty: chewy quinoa, creamy chickpeas, and lots of veggies and garlic + lemon for flavor. I promise you won’t miss the creamy broths or cheese in most winter soups that are popular while eating this hearty soup.
- ½ white onion
- 5 large cloves of garlic
- 3 medium carrots
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup dry red quinoa
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 15 ounce can of garbanzo beans
- 1 lemon
- 4 cups spinach
- Pesto and marinated artichokes for garnish
- Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Peel the carrots and thinly slice them into disks.
- In a soup pot on medium heat, sautee the onion, garlic, and carrots with 1 tablespoon olive oil for 5 minutes until lightly colored.
- Add the dry red quinoa to the pot and sautee for 30 seconds. Then add the broth and a can of drained and rinsed garbanzo beans to the pot.
- Put the lid on the pot, slightly ajar to allow to steam to escape, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir the mixture every few minutes for 20 minutes, until the quinoa is cooked (you will notice little curlicues separating from the main part of the quinoa).
- Turn off the heat and stir in the juice of one lemon.
- Place 1 cup of chopped spinach at the bottom of each bowl, and top with the soup. Garnish each bowl with a tablespoon of basil pesto to mix in and a few marinated artichoke pieces.
My favorite way to brighten up this soup even further is to add lots of fresh chopped spinach, marinated artichokes, and a dollop of fresh basil pesto when it’s time to eat.
Every soup deserves some flair, no?
Please share with me all the delicious foods that you’re enjoying Back To Basics January that incorporate veggies!
I love hearing about all the healthy, creative meals you guys are making and it has kept me inspired to keep up with the challenge.
Marisa
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I LOVE artichokes in soup! The first time I ever cooked with them was in a soup! Their flavor is just fantastic!
Marisa says
Glad to hear!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
This sounds so refreshing and delicious! I love that you used garlic and lemon in the broth!
Marisa says
Such a good combination with the marinated artichokes too!
Erin @ The Almond Eater says
Ohhh I love that you used lemon in this. YESSSS please 🙂
Marisa says
I have been obsessed with lemon/lime juice on everything lately. So fresh and easy!
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says
AH yummmm! This soup looks so good 🙂 I know Brian and I would love it. I’ll have to give it a try once this whole low FODMAP business is taken care of 🙂
Marisa says
Yes! Sounds awesome. You could probably play with substitutions too for the onion/garlic and make it your own!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
It is so darn cold here and a soup like this would be freakin’ perfect for dinner tonight. I guess I’ll have to make it tomorrow!
Marisa says
Eek yes! Let me know if you make it and share a photo with the hashtag #BackToBasicsJanuary so I can cheer ya on 🙂 I hope you warm up!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Love the red quinoa and chickpeas! Such a great recipe 🙂
Marisa says
Thank you, Medha!
Cassie says
I’ve been on a soup bender… I made a delicious chili but have just been on the chickpea train. Just pinned this to make soon!! Yayyy #backtobasicsjanuary!
Marisa says
Yes, you have been totally obsessed with chickpeas! Thanks for being such an awesome #BackToBasicsJanuary participant 🙂
Marisa says
Can’t wait to hear how you like it, Cassie!
Laura says
This looks so hearty and delicious. I love artichokes, and I think they would be awesome in soup. I’ll have to give it a try!
Allie says
It’s now day of making your soup recipes! This one and the ramen noodle soup were both so delicious, light, fresh, and easy!!! I have this annoying cold and all I want to eat is hot, delicious soup. Thank you for both recipes! Keep them coming 🙂
Marisa says
YAY! I am so happy to hear that you’ve enjoyed both recipes. Email me pictures (uprootfromoregon @ gmail) if you have any so I can highlight you on my Readers’ Favorites posts! I hope your annoying cold is departing thanks to lots of hot, tasty soup!