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Homebody Eats ยป Recipes ยป Main Dish

Baked Mexican Quinoa Casserole

Published: Jul 18, 2019 ยท Modified: Feb 28, 2022 by Jessica Mode ยท This content may include affiliate links.

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In just 30 minutes you can whip up this one-pan Mexican quinoa bake that will either feed a crowd or give you plenty of leftovers. This veggie-loaded casserole will be a new family favorite and all you need is a cast iron skillet to make it.

baked mexican quinoa casserole garnished with green onions and avocado.

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If youโ€™re looking for a crowd-pleasing casserole that is perfect for hosting or for having lots of leftovers, this is the recipe for you. This Mexican quinoa casserole is the tastiest vegetarian-friendly dish that can be made in just 30 minutes.

With tons of veggies hidden inside, even the pickiest of eaters are going to love this quinoa casserole. Mexican-style dishes can often be on the heavier and more indulgent side, and while thereโ€™s no shortage of cheese on this casserole, it is still packed with healthy veggies. 

Jump to:
  • What You'll Learn In This Recipe
  • 5 Days to Instantly Becoming a Better Home Cook
  • Ingredients You Need
  • How To Make This Recipe
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Mexican Inspired Recipes
  • Baked Mexican Quinoa Casserole

What You'll Learn In This Recipe

  • How to make a simple dinner everyone will love!
  • The basic method for cooking tasty quinoa. 
  • A simple switch to make this recipe vegan-friendly.

If you love this baked quinoa casserole recipe and want to learn more ways to expand your skills in the kitchen, check out my free guide to instantly become a better chef. 

5 Days to Instantly Becoming a Better Home Cook

Have you wanted to learn how to cook, but didn't know where to start? This five day email series will help new (and well-skilled) home chefs improve their skills in the kitchen with 5 practical culinary secrets everyone needs to learn!

    โ€‹

    Ingredients You Need

    This baked quinoa dish calls for ingredients that all join together to make the most delicious Mexican casserole. 

    baked mexican quinoa casserole ingredients with labels.

    Dried quinoa: This is the structure for your casserole so be sure to pick your favorite brand of quinoa. Optionally, you can use a red or multi-colored quinoa.

    Water: You will need the water for cooking the quinoa. 

    Extra-virgin olive oil: This is my oil of choice for sautรฉeing up vegetables.

    Bell pepper: Red, orange, or yellow bell peppers are all perfect for this dish. I prefer using one red and one orange pepper. 

    Green bell peppers are much less sweet and can result in an overpowering bitter-pepper flavor. 

    Red onion: Need help dicing an onion? Check out this one-minute tutorial! You'll be chopping onions like a chef in no time!

    Garlic: ยฝ teaspoon of garlic powder could be used to replace the fresh or jarred minced garlic.

    Canned black beans: Be sure to drain and rinse before using. Draining will prevent the beans from making the casserole watery and rinsing them off will remove any excess salt and build up on the beans.

    Canned diced tomatoes with green chilies: This is the easiest way to get a huge boost of flavor without having to do a bunch of prep work. You can also substitute for a regular can of diced tomatoes if needed.

    Tomatillo salsa: This will add a nice bit of acidity and spice to the casserole. Feel free to substitute for another type of salsa to change the flavor, make the dish more spicy, or accommodate what you have on hand.

    White cheddar cheese: This can be substituted for any type of cheddar cheese or Colby Jack. Optionally, you can remove the cheese together to turn this into a lighter-tasting and vegan version of the dish.

    Avocado: This is an entirely optional garnish. I personally canโ€™t live without avocado on top!

    Green onions: When using green onions to garnish, I always recommend cutting on the bias for a beautiful texture and look.

    How To Make This Recipe

    This quinoa casserole is a Mexican style dish that will shock you with how easy it is to make. 

    numbered photo showing cooked quinoa.

    1. To begin, grab a medium-sized saucepan and add the quinoa and water. Cook the quinoa as instructed on the package. 

    Cooking quinoa is very similar to cooking rice. Add the quinoa and water to the pot to begin, then bring the water up to a boil. Once boiling, immediately drop the heat to a simmer, add the lid, and let the quinoa cook until no water remains.

    two numbered photos showing cooked onions, peppers, and beans.

    2. As the quinoa cooks, heat the olive oil in a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the bell peppers and onion. 

    Cook for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. When the onions are translucent, that is your sign that the vegetables are finished. 

    Be very careful not to cook the vegetables at too high of heat otherwise, they will burn. Cooking at medium-high or even medium heat while stirring will still break down and soften the vegetables without having to crank anything up too high. 

    3. Reduce the heat on the cast iron skillet to low and add the garlic, black beans, and tomatoes with chilies. Let this cook for an additional two minutes. When the 2 minutes are up, remove the pan from the heat. 

    two numbered photos showing mixing quinoa with a vegetable mixture.

    4. While you are cooking the vegetables, be sure to pay attention to the quinoa as needed. When the quinoa is finished cooking, mix with the salsa until combined. 

    5. Then, gently pour the quinoa into the vegetable mixture in the cast iron skillet. Stir everything together until itโ€™s well combined. 

    two numbered photos showing adding and browning cheese to Mexican casserole.

    6. Top the casserole with shredded cheese. Place the casserole under the broiler and let the cheese get golden and bubbly. This should take about 4 minutes but could vary depending on your broiler. 

    Make sure you do not walk away during this part of the cooking process. Cheese can go from bubbly to burn in a matter of seconds so I like to have my oven cracked open while I keep an eye on the cheese as it cooks. 

    7. After the cheese is brown and bubbly, take your casserole out of the oven and you are ready to serve. If you want to garnish the casserole with avocado and/or green onions, feel free to do so now. Serve this casserole immediately so the cheese is nice and ooey-gooey.

    Expert Tips

    • โ€‹โ€‹If you don't have a cast iron skillet, you can use a pan that can be transferred directly to the oven.
    • While this is a vegetarian-friendly dish on its own, you can choose to serve this as a side dish and pair it with your favorite meat-based protein.
    • For extra flavor in your quinoa, cook with vegetable stock instead of water for an extra kick of flavor.
    • To make a quick transition from vegetarian to vegan, simply remove the cheese from the recipe. You can also opt to use vegan cheese. 

    Recipe FAQs

    What type of side dish pairs well with the Mexican casserole bake?

    A side of tortilla chips, guacamole, and/or queso is a perfect side dish. For a light and healthy side dish, this casserole pairs perfectly with an avocado salad or plantains.

    What are some toppings/garnishes I can use?

    Besides the suggested green onion and avocado, here are some of my favorite garnishes for this dish:
    - Sour cream
    - Cilantro
    -Guacamole
    -Pico de gallo
    -Fresh lime wedges
    -Fresh or pickled jalapeรฑos
    -Cholula or your favorite hot sauce

    I always suggest using whatever you have on hand instead of going out of your way to buy something extra. Serve a little bit of each topping in separate bowls or plates in the middle of the dinner table to allow everyone to grab whatever garnishes they desire.

    Whatโ€™s the best way to reheat leftovers?

    For the most efficient reheating, put the leftovers in a microwave safe bowl or plate and heat on high for 2 - 3 minutes until the casserole is fully warmed.ย 

    For slightly better tasting leftovers, you can reheat the casserole in an oven-safe dish covered with foil. Cook at 375ยบF (190ยบC) for 10 - 15 minutes until fully heated.ย 

    baked mexican quinoa casserole garnished with green onions and avocado.

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    • two cooked tamales laying on corn husks.
      Instant Pot Chicken Tamales: Step By Step for Beginners
    • chorizo street tacos with avocado slices.
      Simple Chorizo Street Tacos
    • spicy salmon with adobo sauce and green onion garnishes.
      Oven Roasted Garlic Adobo Mexican Salmon
    • cooked Mexican chorizo in a cast iron skillet.
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    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star โญโญโญโญโญ rating in the recipe card below. Don't forget to follow along on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest for more recipes.

    baked mexican quinoa casserole garnished with green onions and avocado.

    Baked Mexican Quinoa Casserole

    In just 30 minutes you can whip up this one-pan Mexican quinoa bake that will either feed a crowd or give you plenty of leftovers. This veggie-loaded casserole will be a new family favorite and all you need is a cast iron skillet to make it.
    Author: Jessica Mode
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Active Time 30 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 10 servings
    Calories 281 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 cups dried quinoa
    • 4 cups water
    • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 orange bell pepper stemmed, seeded, and diced into ยฝ inch pieces
    • 1 red bell pepper stemmed, seeded, and diced into ยฝ inch pieces
    • 1 medium red onion finely diced
    • 2 cloves garlic finely minced
    • 2 (15 ounce) canned black beans drained and rinsed
    • 2 (10 ounce) canned diced tomatoes with green chilies drained
    • 1ยฝ cups tomatillo salsa
    • 10 ounces white cheddar cheese shredded
    • avocado for garnish (optional)
    • green onions sliced on the bias for garnish (optional)

    Instructions
     

    • Place quinoa and water in a medium saucepan. Cook according to package instructions.
    • While quinoa is cooking, heat olive oil in a 12 inch (30 cm) cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add bell peppers and onion to the skillet and cook stirring occasionally until the onions become translucent, about 7 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add garlic, black beans, and tomatoes with chilies. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
    • Mix the salsa and cooked quinoa together until combined. Pour the quinoa into the vegetable mixture in the skillet and stir until well combined.
    • Top with shredded cheese. Place cast iron skillet under the broiler until cheese is golden and bubbly, about 4 minutes. Be sure not to walk away from the dish while it's in the broiler otherwise something may burn.
    • Optionally, garnish with avocado and green onions. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
    Reheating Instructions:
    Microwave: Placeย in a microwave safe bowl and heat on high (100 percent power) for 2 -3 minutes until warmed all the way through.
    Oven: Place in an oven safe dish covered with foil at 375ยฐF (190ยบC) for 10 - 15 minutes until warmed all the way through.
    ย 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 281kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 12gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 424mgPotassium: 358mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1246IUVitamin C: 33mgCalcium: 226mgIron: 2mg
    Have you tried this recipe?Tag @homebody.eats on Instagram so we can see your creations!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Sherry

      December 14, 2021 at 8:24 pm

      5 stars
      I have a family of 7 and this easily fed everyone for dinner! It's hard to find recipes that can feed us all and that everyone likes. Thank you so much for this!!

      Reply

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