Roasted Veggie & Feta Couscous (Printable)

Colorful Mediterranean bake with roasted vegetables, fluffy couscous, and creamy feta cheese. Ideal as a side or vegetarian main.

# Ingredient list:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
02 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
03 - 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 small red onion, sliced
05 - 1 small eggplant, diced
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - ½ teaspoon salt
09 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Couscous

10 - 1 cup couscous
11 - 1 cup vegetable broth, hot
12 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
13 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Cheese & Finish

14 - 5 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
16 - 1 tablespoon pine nuts, optional

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - On a large baking sheet, toss zucchini, red and yellow bell peppers, red onion, and eggplant with olive oil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Spread in a single layer.
03 - Roast vegetables for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and lightly caramelized.
04 - Place couscous in a large bowl. Pour hot vegetable broth, lemon juice, and olive oil over couscous. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
05 - Reduce oven temperature to 375°F.
06 - Combine roasted vegetables and couscous in a large mixing bowl. Stir in half of the crumbled feta and half of the parsley.
07 - Transfer the mixture to a greased 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle remaining feta over the top.
08 - Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, until feta is slightly golden.
09 - Remove from oven, sprinkle with remaining parsley and pine nuts if using. Serve warm.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in less than an hour and tastes like you spent way more effort than you actually did.
  • Roasting the vegetables turns them silky and brings out a sweetness that makes everyone ask what your secret ingredient is.
  • It works as a side dish, a light vegetarian main, or even cold as next-day lunch.
02 -
  • Don't skip the halfway stir during vegetable roasting, or you'll end up with one side caramelized and the other side pale and steamed.
  • The couscous must be covered after you pour the hot broth over it, otherwise the steam escapes and you end up with dried out grains.
  • Add the feta in two stages: some mixed into the warm couscous where it softens and becomes creamy, and some on top where it gets edges and texture in the oven.
03 -
  • If your vegetables release a lot of liquid during roasting, drain it off before combining with the couscous so the finished dish isn't soggy.
  • Toast the pine nuts yourself in a dry pan for two minutes before serving if you want them to taste deeper and more luxurious.
  • Use the best feta you can find, because it's one of only three main proteins in this dish and it deserves to shine.
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