Pesto Bowls with Roasted Potatoes and Summer Squash

These potato and veggie bowls are made on one sheet pan and flavored with Cajun seasoning and homemade pesto! Add black beans for a well-rounded lunch or meal prep recipe.

This is a recipe that I make whenever I don’t know what to make. Sheet pan dinners like this are great because they can be made using whatever seasonal vegetables you have on hand, making it a great way to use up produce.

Arguably the best part of these bowls, and the reason I find myself making them frequently in the summer, is the homemade pesto.

While you can certainly use storebought pesto, making it at home is easy and quite rewarding. It really screams summertime! You can even use this avocado pesto for an extra creamy result.

Ingredients and customization

• Roasted potatoes: New potatoes and russet potatoes are my preferred roasting potato (read more on my oven-roasted breakfast potatoes recipe) because they crisp up well when tossed with a bit of olive oil and baked at high heat.
• Vegetables: Zucchini and yellow squash are my preferred summer vegetables. Eggplant and red bell pepper would also go well. For fall flavors, try root vegetables or butternut squash (these can all be cooked the same length as the potatoes).
• Cajun seasoning: This is the flavorful thread that pulls everything together. I use this Cajun seasoning (it's the best!) and because it is quite salty on its own, this recipe does not call for any salt. Salt the recipe to taste if you are using an unsalted Cajun seasoning. Check out my vegan jambalaya for another way to use this seasoning.
• Beans: I like to use canned black beans for a quick protein source, but you can also use other beans like pinto or garbanzos. Even baked tofu or crispy chickpeas would be a great option!

Cooking times

Because I am not a fan of doing dishes, and I have a feeling that you aren't either, the potatoes and veggies are cooked on the same sheet pan and tossed in the same bowl.

Start by tossing the cubed potatoes with olive oil and Cajun seasoning in a large bowl. Pro tip: roast the potatoes in the air fryer for an even quicker meal. Spread them evenly on a large sheet pan.

Bake for 20 minutes then flip with a spatula. Move them to one half of the sheet pan. At this point, they will likely be touching a bit, which is okay.

Toss the zucchini and squash in the same mixing bowl with a bit more olive oil and Cajun seasoning. Add these to the other half of the sheet pan.

Continue roasting until the potatoes are ultra crispy and the squash is cooked through. All in all, it will take about 45-50 minutes of roasting time. 

To save time, I prepare the pesto while the vegetables are roasting. You will need a food processor for this step. 

Serving ideas

Bowls like this are made for toppings. For an extra filling meal, you can add sliced avocado and pumpkin seeds. I always add a drizzle of sriracha and fresh cherry tomatoes as well.

Cashew cream would also be a delicious option and a great way to add healthy fats and protein.

Looking for more easy vegan recipes?

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