Baked couscous is a delightful dish that combines the fluffy texture of couscous with the vibrant flavors of tomatoes and aromatic pesto. This versatile dish can be served as a main course or a flavorful side, making it perfect for a variety of occasions. The recipe offers three variations to suit different preferences: a classic baked couscous, a cheesy baked couscous, and a vegan baked couscous. Each variation is carefully crafted to deliver a unique taste experience, ensuring there's something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you're a vegetarian, vegan, or simply seeking a comforting and satisfying meal, this recipe has you covered.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
CHICKEN PESTO PASTA
Rich and creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake with tomatoes, whole wheat noodles, bright pesto, and Greek yogurt. Healthy, freezer friendly, and flavor packed!
Provided by Erin Clarke / Well Plated
Categories Dinner Main Course
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the diced chicken. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sauté the chicken until golden on all sides and fully cooked through, about 4 minutes. Remove to a plate and set aside.
- In a large stockpot of boiling, generously salted water, cook the pasta to al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking liquid, then drain. Return pasta to the stockpot.
- While the pasta cooks, in a small bowl, whisk together the pesto and Greek yogurt until evenly combined.
- Stir in the spinach, breaking it up as needed and stirring until evenly combined.
- To the stockpot with the pasta, add the pesto/Greek yogurt mixture. Gently stir to coat the noodles in the pesto mixture. If the sauce is too thick, splash in some of the pasta water. It should be a little saucy.
- Add the cooked chicken, cherry tomatoes, and red pepper flakes. Gently toss to combine.
- Pour half of the pasta into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with 1/2 cup mozzarella and half of the basil. Layer the remaining half of the pasta over the top, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and just barely starts to turn golden. Remove and sprinkle immediately with the Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 (of 10), Calories 300 kcal, Carbohydrate 33 g, Protein 25 g, Fat 7 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Cholesterol 47 mg, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 4 g
COUSCOUS SALAD WITH TOMATOES AND MINT
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 20m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Toss the tomatoes, cucumbers, and lemon juice in a bowl with 2 teaspoons of the salt. Set aside.
- Put the couscous into a large bowl. Bring the water, lemon zest, 3 tablespoons of the oil, the remaining salt, cayenne, and herb stems to a boil over high heat. Pour the liquid over the couscous, stir to separate any clumps. Cover with a lid, plate, or plastic wrap, set aside for 5 minutes. Remove the zest and herb stems and fluff with a fork.
- Add the tomato mixture, scallions, mint, parsley, and pine nuts. Drizzle the remaining oil over the salad, toss and serve.
- Copyright 2003 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved
BAKED COUSCOUS WITH SPINACH AND PINE NUTS
Steps:
- Combine the couscous, boiling stock or water, and salt in a large bowl; cover with a plate. Let sit 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute the garlic and onion 10 minutes, or until tender. Add the drained tomatoes and cook 10 minutes more, stirring frequently. Stir the tomato mixture into the couscous and mix in the reserved tomato juice, basil, pine nuts, raw spinach, and pepper.
- Spread half the couscous mixture into a 12 by 7 by 2-inch baking dish or other shallow (2 1/2 quart) baking dish. Sprinkle on the cheese, then top with the remaining couscous. Cover the dish with foil and bake 25 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
PEARL COUSCOUS WITH CREAMY FETA AND CHICKPEAS
Baking pearl couscous with chickpeas, roasted tomatoes and garlic results in a one-pan vegetarian meal that's cozy and very savory, especially if you use a flavorful stock for cooking. Soft and almost porridgelike in texture, it satisfies the same urge as polenta or risotto. Lemon zest and fresh herbs make it bright, while feta, added at the end, gives the whole thing a creamy richness. Save leftovers to bring to work for lunch the next day; they pack up perfectly. If you feel like you need more vegetables here to round out the meal, serve this on a bed of baby spinach, some of which will wilt on contact with the hot couscous.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories dinner, lunch, weekday, grains and rice, main course
Time 50m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Heat oven to 450 degrees. In a 9-inch baking dish, cake pan or gratin dish, toss together tomatoes, scallions, 2 tablespoons oil, 1 tablespoon vinegar, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper and oregano sprigs. Roast until tomatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
- While tomatoes roast, heat the stock until it boils, then stir in remaining 1 teaspoon salt, adding more to taste. (You want a well-seasoned broth here to flavor the couscous.) Stir in cilantro, lemon zest and cumin.
- Remove tomatoes from oven and fold in couscous, chickpeas and hot stock mixture. Cover pan tightly with foil, and return to oven for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and fold in about 3/4ths of the feta (save the rest for garnish) and Parmesan. Bake uncovered until feta starts to melt, another 5 minutes.
- To serve, pull out and discard herb sprigs if you like, and spoon couscous into bowls. Top with remaining feta, lots more herbs, pepper and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 614, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams, Carbohydrate 85 grams, Fat 20 grams, Fiber 14 grams, Protein 25 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 1019 milligrams, Sugar 9 grams
BAKED COUSCOUS WITH TOMATOES
This is a delicious and different way to make couscous. For more of a bite, try using diced tomatoes with green chiles.
Provided by Mirj2338
Categories Grains
Time 35m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Heat the oil in a saute pan.
- Saute the onions in oil about 5 minutes, until they are soft and golden.
- In a bowl, combine the onions and the remaining ingredients.
- Transfer the mixture into a 2-quart casserole.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 255.1, Fat 2.8, SaturatedFat 0.4, Sodium 397.4, Carbohydrate 48.7, Fiber 4, Sugar 2.4, Protein 8.1
Tips:
- If you don't have any pesto on hand, you can easily make your own. Just blend together some fresh basil, olive oil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and garlic.
- To make the couscous even more flavorful, try toasting it in a pan with some olive oil and spices before cooking it.
- Feel free to add other vegetables to this dish, such as zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms.
- If you want a vegetarian version of this dish, you can omit the chicken and add some extra vegetables.
Conclusion:
Baked couscous with tomato and pesto is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover chicken or vegetables. The couscous is cooked in a flavorful tomato sauce and then topped with a creamy pesto sauce. This dish is sure to please everyone at your table.
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