Creamy Squash Curry Quinoa Recipe - Pinch of Yum
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Creamy Squash Curry Quinoa

7 reviews / 4.9 average

This was the year I fell in love with squash.

From the first day of this blog I’ve been a squash liker, but for some weirdos (ahem) it takes moving to the Philippines to become a full on squash l-o-v-e-r.

If we’re being honest, I’m actually more of a second photo creamy squash sauce lover, but it’s all the same anyways. Squash. Vegetable. Healthy.

Squash in a bowl and squash drizzled with creamy sauce.

Since we’ve moved to the Philippines I’ve posted more about squash than any other vegetable, hands down, unless you count lentils as a vegetable.

We’ve had squash soup, squash pasta with turkey and spinach, walnut-squash macaroni and cheese, squash lentil curry, 30 minute squash coconut curry, thai basil coconut lentils (with squash), and so on and so on and so on.

Colorful, versatile, healthy, widely available in the Philippines, and delicately, sweetly flavored? Yeah, this is the year for squash.

But this right here is not really my thing: QUINOA.

Quinoa in a white bowl.

I know it. That’s pretty much an F in Food Blogging.

Everyone loves it and I really want to love it, but then somehow I’m sitting in the other corner, still trying to make it, um, taste good.

Something strange happened in our hot little apartment last week. Bjork asked me to make quinoa for dinner. Sooo basically he was abducted by aliens? It was weird. I gave him an extended silent stare and then asked in my most loving but a little bit condescending food voice: do you even know what quinoa is?

Squash curry quinoa in a bowl and on a wooden spoon.

When he confirmed that it was “those little crunchy things”, I knew that I needed to try a little harder to make quinoa work. I mean, I’m a food blogger whose semi-job is trying interesting foods and my hamburger and fries loving husband is asking me for quinoa, for crying out loud.

You all gave me lots of courage with your beautiful and delicious ideas on Facebook (thank you a million times over!), and I tried a bunch of different quinoa ingredient combos, and surprise of the world: I liked the curry quinoa the best. The curry with the squash.

Squash curry quinoa in a skillet with a wooden spoon.

Per your advice, I spent a good amount of time rinsing the quinoa and also cooked it in vegetable broth which helps it, like, actually taste better. It was nutty, a little crunchy, and just begging for a squash sauce to swim in. The squash sauce has just the right amount of sweetness, and the tiny bit of yellow curry paste is just a subtle kick that you almost don’t even notice until you’re 100 bites in.

And I know this is weird, but I love this the most with cheese. Just a little bit of really good quality cheese. In my mind, curry shouldn’t have cheese. So yes, I’m breaking food rules here. But this isn’t really CURRY curry, it’s more like creamy quinoa that happens to have a little bit of curry flavor. So please find some really good quality cheese and toss it in there. You don’t need a lot – mine was Gouda and Maasdam (a random preshredded “pasta blend” I found at the grocery store), and the flavor and creamy texture in this was SO good.

And by the way, you’re gonna get melted cheese strings and you’re gonna be happy about it.

Squash curry quinoa in a skillet and on a wooden spoon.

One more time, a little closer. Because that’s what I do.

Squash curry quinoa on a wooden spoon.

ONE LAST THING. For all my blended stuff, I always have the best results with my Blendtec Designer Series Blender. I didn’t own it when I made this recipe, but I now use it for everything! f you’re in the market for a new grown up blender, this has your name all over it.

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Squash Curry Quinoa

Creamy Squash Curry Quinoa


Description

This creamy squash curry quinoa is the best way I’ve ever prepared quinoa – so creamy and filling, and a healthy comfort food!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups dry quinoa, rinsed
  • 8 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 medium butternut or Kabocha squash (78 cups chopped)
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 small onion
  • 2 teaspoons yellow curry paste (can also use red curry paste)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup good quality cheese to taste (I used Gouda and Maasdam)

Instructions

  1. Cook the quinoa according to package directions, using broth instead of water.
  2. Bring the remaining broth to a boil in a large pot. Peel and roughly chop the squash, garlic, and onion. Add to the pot of boiling broth, adding more water as needed to cover the squash. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until squash is fork-tender. Set aside a few cups of squash if you want to have pieces of squash in with the quinoa.
  3. Transfer squash, garlic, and onion pieces to a blender, reserving the broth in the pot. Puree the squash until smooth and add broth to the blender as necessary. It should be the consistency of a thick soup. Add the curry paste, coconut milk, and salt. Puree again until incorporated.
  4. Pour the sauce over the quinoa and stir in the squash pieces and the cheese. Season with additional salt, pepper, or herbs.
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 45 mins
  • Category: Dinner
  • Cuisine: Asian-Inspired

Keywords: squash curry quinoa, curry quinoa, squash quinoa

Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links.

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63 Comments

  1. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I love squash! I have been eating at least once or twice a week for months! I think I may turn into one! LOL

    Love this creamy curry!! I have to give it a try!

  2. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Glad you’re finally coming around to quinoa (at least when its covered with squash and cheese!). My boyfriend hates it too, so if you can find it palatable, I have hope that one day he will too! To me, this recipe sounds AMAZING!

  3. Pinch of Yum Logo

    This is one way I’ve never seen quinoa done, which is a feat in and of itself! I bet this would be divine paired with some toasted pita and fresh greens for a portable lunch.

  4. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Hahaha every time I see a squash recipe I know it’s yours 😉 but it’s ok because they always look delicious! And this is no expection 🙂 I’ve never had quinoa! It’s so expensive in the UK that I’ve never been able to bring myself to buy it…!

  5. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Hi Lindsay! Just really wondering where do you buy your supply of quinoa here in the Philippines? Do you order it online or is there a specialty store who sells them? Thank you so much and I just really love your blog! 🙂

    1. Pinch of Yum Logo

      Hi Leslie! I get it from Healthy Options. There’s a location at Ayala and also one at SM, but I get mine from the one at Ayala. 🙂

  6. Pinch of Yum Logo

    You’re not alone. I love unique, healthy foods, but the first time I made quinoa I couldn’t bring myself to take more than one bite. It just didn’t taste good. Still screwing up my courage to try again.

  7. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I feel the same way about squash as you feel about Quinoa. But I LOVE Quinoa. 🙂 I want to love squash but can’t seem to find the recipe that makes me want to love it. Maybe if i try your recipe with my beloved quinoa I might finally be a squash girl. 🙂

    1. Pinch of Yum Logo

      Yes! I would say if you don’t like squash then just puree the whole batch, don’t save any pieces for tossing in there. Just go for the creamy sauce. 🙂

  8. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I love quinoa for breakfast! I cook it in almond milk with tons of cinnamon, vanilla, and a teeny bit of brown sugar. It’s my all time favorite way to make it.

  9. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Your pictures are amazing as always. I’ve never tried quinoa, but since learning about it last summer I’ve often thought of trying a few different recipes I have on hand. I don’t know if I want to try them now or not? Everyone seems to really love it or hate it. The reviews here have made me a bit curious.

    1. Pinch of Yum Logo

      I don’t even know what’s happening to me, but I buy it every week at the store now! It’s my new go-to “grain” (technically not a grain but whatever). Bjork started putting the pressure on me to make it, so I guess that was good thing. 🙂

  10. Pinch of Yum Logo

    The last pic is making me drool. I LOVE ooey gooey cheesiness. That is so awesome to bring your love for squash into Quinoa….and with globs of cheese too!! I totally want a taste of this.

  11. Pinch of Yum Logo

    This looks fantastic – almost like risotto, but with quinoa! A little spiced curry flavor and cheesy goodness – heck, sounds GREAT to me!

    1. Pinch of Yum Logo

      Please do! I was a total hater and now I’m just a sometimes hater. 🙂 This isn’t even really real quinoa to me – just creamy and filling and cozy comfort food!

  12. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Why wouldn’t you pair squash with curry and cheese?? They’re all similar colors (well, mostly) and the flavors would totally compliment each other. I think you’re onto something with your new creamy quinoa dish!