This Mexican-style quinoa casserole can be served immediately for dinner or made into a freezer meal and saved for later! Topped with onions, bell peppers, and cheese, this weeknight dinner comes together quick for a delicious and cheap dinner idea!
Servings: 4servings
Author: Megan Byrd, RD
Cost: $9.58/recipe or $2.40/serving
Ingredients
1 1/2cupdry quinoa
1cupvegetable broth
1can black beans
2cupssalsa
1/2cupshredded cheddar cheese
1/2cupfrozen corn
4 ozcanned green chilies
2tspchili powder
1/2tspcumin
1/2tsp garlic powder
2tspavocado or olive oil
1onion, sliced fajita style
2bell pepper, sliced fajita style
1cupshredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, combine the dry quinoa, broth, black beans, salsa, 1/2 cup cheese, corn, green chilies, chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder.
Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes uncovered, stir, then return to the oven uncovered for another 20 minutes.
While the casserole is in the oven, heat the oil on medium heat in a large skillet. Saute the bell peppers and onion until the peppers soften and the onion is translucent. Set aside.
After the casserole has baked for 40 minutes, remove it from the oven. Spread the bell peppers and onion evenly over the casserole. Top with remaining 1 cup cheese, and return to the oven uncovered for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Serve and enjoy!
To Make It A Freezer Meal:
Follow steps 1-4, using an aluminum pan instead of a glass or metal baking pan.
After the casserole has baked for 40 minutes, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for 15-20 minutes. Spread the bell peppers and onion evenly over the casserole. Top with remaining 1 cup cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and allow to cool completely in the fridge before freezing. Label and date, and freeze for up to 3 months.
When ready to bake from the freezer, thaw overnight in the fridge. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and baked the thawed casserole, covered, for 45-50 minutes or until heated through.