This Crispy Quinoa Bake is actual healthy comfort food! Full of vegetables and irresistibly crispy!
It’s casserole season!
You may be excited about that, you may not be excited about that, but whichever side of the fence you’re on I’m here to peddle Crispy Quinoa Bake to fill the need.
This is a recipe I shared almost five years ago (what?!) and it still stands strong today. Thousands of you have tried it, loved it, and made it your own. There’s nothing I love better than when people send me photos of one of my recipes on their dinner table, waiting to be devoured.
I wanted to update this recipe with some new photos (I like to think I’ve come a long way in five years), tips, and substitutions.
After years of making this recipe over and over again it’s pretty perfect in all it’s crispy, cheesy, filling glory. It just needed a few tweaks in the recipe writing to ensure you get the same amazing result.
Let’s forget about boring old casseroles filled with condensed soups for a second. This is comfort food. Healthy, vegetarian comfort food. Fill you up, warm you up, and still feel good after eating it food.
There are loads of vegetables and just a hint of spice in this crispy quinoa bake. The quinoa gets delightfully crispy around the edges of the pan and anywhere cheese has been browned on top of it.
This started as a stuffed pepper recipe. When my husband asked me if he was supposed to eat the “bucket” it came in, I decided I would be better off hiding the peppers in the savory stuffing.
This healthy casserole has quinoa, loads of veggies (zucchini, onions, corn, tomatoes, and more!), lots of meatless protein (hiya black beans!), and a good old sprinkling of Wisconsin cheese.
If you’re unfamiliar with quinoa, be sure to check out the post I wrote on how to cook quinoa that is perfect and fluffy every time!
Crispy Quinoa Bake is so easily customized! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Make a few simple swaps to change this from Mexican inspired to Italian Quinoa Casserole!
- Lightly spray a large, rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray and spread the mixture thin before continuing to bake as directed for super crispiness all over
- Leave off the cheese for a vegan version
- Use whatever favorite veggies you have on hand such as broccoli, mushrooms, or spinach
- Increase the spice level by adding a chopped jalapeño and using pepper jack cheese
- Fry leftovers in a skillet with a little olive oil over medium heat – this is basically a requirement and even better and crispier than the original – being sure to break up and flip the mixture frequently
More quinoa recipes
- Broccoli Pesto Quinoa Casserole
- Italian Quinoa Casserole
- Quinoa Salad with Balsamic Tofu
- Quinoa Taco Salad
- Quinoa Stuffed Poblano Peppers
- Vegetarian White Quinoa Chili
- Warm Kale and Quinoa Salad
If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!
Recipe
Crispy Quinoa Bake
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa,, uncooked
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups vegetable stock
- 1 cup onion,, diced (about 1 medium)
- 1//2 green pepper,, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic,, finely chopped
- 1 cup zucchini,, cubed (about 2 small)
- 15 ounces black beans,, rinsed and drained
- 4 ounces diced green chiles
- 28 ounces diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 cup frozen corn
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ lime, juiced
- Salt
- 2 cups shredded monterey jack cheese
- Chopped cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Place the quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and rinse throughly with cool water for at least two minutes. Drain. In a medium saucepan, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the quinoa and cook, stirring, for about one minute. The quinoa should begin to dry out and pop a bit. Add the chicken stock. Stir and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to low and cook, covered, for 15 minutes or until all the water is absorbed. Remove the pan from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and peppers and cook, stirring occasionally until soft, about 7 minutes. Add garlic and zucchini and cook 5-10 more minutes, until the zucchini is soft and beginning to brown.
- Fluff the quinoa with a fork and place it in a large bowl. Add onion mixture, beans, green chiles, tomatoes, corn, cumin, oregano, chili powder, lime juice, and salt to taste. Mix thoroughly and transfer to prepared baking dish. Bake 30 minutes, top with cheese, and bake 10 minutes more or until melted and just beginning to brown.
Donna Pulsifer says
Absolutely delicious!
Elizabeth says
I’ve made this many times ,it’s delicious and so easy . We love it !
Jac says
Used different veg but this was totally delicious made mine vegan with vegan cheese. Will definitely be making again thank u so much for the idea.
Lindsay Moe says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It is so easy to customize to taste and make vegan.
Cecelia Watley says
Has anyone tried this without the cheese?
Lindsay Moe says
I have had it without cheese, it doesn’t get those great crispy edges but its still really good! You technically wouldn’t need to bake it, but still could if you want everything nice and warm.
Naquelle says
Anyone ever modify this to a slow cooker? Love this recipe but am entering such a busy work season that the hour bake won’t cut it. Trying to make as many freezer meals ahead of time as I can!
isabelle margat says
This was SO GOOD. Thank you! You saved me when I thought I couldn’t make a meal with what I had in! I didn’t have absolutely everything, so it was a bit of a riff on it, but it was a success with all 4 of us (including difficult 6 and 8 year olds), so I felt like I had to comment, first time ever commenting on a recipe! Oh, and we’re not a vegetarian family, but like to go meat/fish free
as often as we can, for the planet and for our pockets 🙂
Lindsay Moe says
Thank you for taking the time to leave this great review! I’m so glad you all enjoyed it, it’s definitely a favorite of mine as well.