🌿 Pesto Tuna & Green Pea Quinoa Bowls: A guest recipe from Ann, Peas & Hoppiness
A 20-Minute Meal Packed with Flavor & Nutrition
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If you’ve ever stared into the fridge at 5 PM wondering what on earth to make for dinner, you’re not alone. That’s exactly why we love Peas & Hoppiness, the meal-planning app created by registered dietitian (and busy mom!) Ann Kent. Ann’s recipes check all the boxes: healthy, easy, and kid-friendly—without the stress of overcomplicated meal prep.
To give you a taste of what Peas & Hoppiness is all about, we’re sharing one of Ann’s go-to 20-minute meals: Pesto Tuna & Green Pea Quinoa Bowls. Packed with protein, fiber, and omega-3s, this dish is perfect for fueling active kids, sneaking in extra veggies, and making weeknight dinners way easier. Bonus? It’s totally customizable for picky eaters and dietary needs.
Want more recipes like this? Peas & Hoppiness meal plans take the guesswork out of dinner with easy, delicious recipes tailored to your family’s needs.
Try it for free: Use code ONEPOTATO30 for a 30-day trial of the Peas & Hoppiness Meal Planning App.
Now, let’s get cooking! ⬇️
Are you ready for the recipe? You’re going to have to trust me on this one! ... I know it sounds unexpected, but hear me out…
This bowl is savory, salty, and gives major tuna casserole vibes, EXCEPT it’s:
✅ Packed with protein to support muscle & energy
✅ Loaded with fiber for a happy gut
✅ Rich in omega-3s for brain health
This is what I LOVE to do for Peas and Hoppy Meal Guides subscribers - share recipes that are:
✨ Surprisingly delicious
✨ Ridiculously easy
✨ Nourishing for your body & mind
Without further ado, here’s your 20-minute meal! ❤️, Ann
Meal Prep & Time Savers:
Store-bought Pesto: Use your favorite pesto in this recipe, no need to make a batch from scratch.
Shortcut Tip: Use pre-cooked quinoa (available in pouches or frozen) to cut the cooking time in half.
Make It a Meal Prep Win: Portion leftovers into containers for easy grab-and-go lunches.
Make Extra:
Keep a batch of One Potato Chia Seed Pesto in your freezer to use on these healthy quinoa bowls, weeknight pasta dinners, or as a pizza sauce.
Batch Cook Quinoa: Cook extra quinoa ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days—making this meal even faster to throw together!
Pro Tips
Fluff Your Quinoa: Once cooked, let it sit covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork for the best texture.
Maximize Flavor: Toast the quinoa in a dry pan for a couple of minutes before adding water to bring out a nutty flavor.
Serving Idea: This dish is great on its own or served over baby spinach, arugula, or roasted veggies for extra greens.
One Potato Kitchen Tools: chef’s knife, cutting board, strainer, medium saucepan with lid, mixing spoon or spatula
Don’t forget our mantra: we recommend reading through the full recipe, taking out all the ingredients, and washing and prepping any produce before you begin cooking.
Pesto Tuna & Green Pea Quinoa Bowls
For 4 Servings
PREP TIME: 5 min. | COOK TIME: 15 min. | TOTAL TIME: 20 min.
From Your Pantry: salt, canned tuna, pesto, nutritional yeast
Ingredients:
1 c. quinoa (uncooked)
2 c. water
¼ tsp salt
10 oz canned tuna (drained and flaked—or chickpeas for a vegan option)
2½ c. frozen peas (thawed)
¼ c. One Potato Chia Seed Pesto or your favorite pesto (dairy-free if needed)
¼ c. nutritional yeast
Directions:
Cook the Quinoa:
In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 8 minutes.
Add Tuna and Peas:
Stir in the tuna (or chickpeas) and peas. Cover and continue cooking for another 7–8 minutes, until the quinoa has absorbed all the liquid.
Stir in Pesto:
Remove from heat and stir in pesto and nutritional yeast until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve & Enjoy
Spoon into bowls and serve warm. Garnish with extra nutritional yeast, fresh herbs, or a squeeze of lemon for added brightness.
Substitutions and Dietary Considerations
This recipe is Gluten-Free and can be Dairy-Free if using a dairy-free pesto.
Nut Allergies: Some pestos contain pine nuts, walnuts, or cashews. If you’re using store-bought pesto, look for a nut-free pesto. Of course, everyone loves our nut-free Chia Seed Pesto recipe!
Vegan Option: Swap the tuna for chickpeas or white beans.
Extra Creamy: Stir in a spoonful of hummus or mashed avocado for extra richness.
Crunch Factor: Top with toasted almonds, sunflower seeds, or crispy chickpeas.
Kid-Friendly Tip: Serve with a sprinkle of parmesan or mix in a little Greek yogurt for extra creaminess.
Getting Kids Involved
Kids who help prepare food are more likely to try it! They can always help taste and adjust seasonings. And:
👩🍳 Little Chefs Can: Help measure and stir ingredients.
🔪 Older Kids Can: Drain and flake the tuna or chop fresh herbs for garnish.
Picky Eaters?
If your kids are hesitant about tuna, swap it for shredded chicken, scrambled eggs, or the vegetarian option of chickpeas or white beans
Try offering a topping bar – Let kids choose their own toppings to make it feel like their creation. Some ideas:
- Shredded cheese or dairy-free alternative
- Sliced cherry tomatoes or cucumbers
- A drizzle of ranch or hummus for dipping
Tips for using our online Shopping List - New & Improved!
We’ve saved you time by pre-filling your grocery list for this recipe!
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Customize Your Cart: Remove items you already have at home and swap brands or organic options as needed.
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