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Horizontal image of a black and white plate with a large scoop of a healthy casserole dish.

Healthy Quinoa Casserole


  • Author: Meghan Yager
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

For a guilt-free meal that you can enjoy anytime, this healthy quinoa casserole satisfies on all fronts. The gooey dish is filled with flavor.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Homemade Taco Seasoning:

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

For the Casserole:

  • 1 pound lean ground beef (80 to 93% lean) or ground turkey
  • 1 tablespoon coconut or olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups lightly packed baby spinach
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
  • 2 cups tomato sauce or salsa
  • 2 cups cooked quinoa

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350˚F. 
  2. In a small bowl, stir together ingredients for the taco seasoning. Set aside.
  3. Place a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add ground beef or turkey. Cook, stirring occasionally to break up the big pieces, until the meat is cooked through. This will take about 5 minutes for ground beef and 6 minutes for ground turkey.
  4. Transfer meat to a large bowl and drain any fat from the pan. 
  5. Place the same pan back over medium heat and add the oil. Once it’s melted, add the onion and jalapeno. Saute until soft, stirring occasionally, about 5-10 minutes. 
  6. Stir in garlic and spinach, and cook until the spinach is wilted, stirring occasionally for about 2-3 minutes.
  7. Add cooked vegetables to the meat and stir to combine. Stir in cooked quinoa, spice mixture, salsa, ½ cup cheddar cheese, and ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese until combined.
  8. Pour mixture into an 8-by-8-inch casserole dish (glass, ceramic, or metal). Sprinkle evenly with remaining cheese. 
  9. Bake for 20 minutes, until cheese is melted.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Keywords: quinoa, casserole, Tex-Mex, cheese, taco seasoning