I haven’t posted a legitimate recipe for a while, unless you count the buttermilk chocolate cupcakes. I just haven’t felt like cooking. I wanted to be a good wife and make dinner for my husband this past Saturday, so I took inspiration from a quinoa recipe I saw in a magazine.
I changed a few things, including substituting cheddar cheese for the fat-free feta & cream cheese combination the recipe originally called for, since I thought my husband didn’t care for feta. I also used the “one pot” approach to cook the quinoa, thinking it would make a creamier product.
As we’re on our third or fourth bite, I mentioned the changes I made – and he says, “Yes, it’s kinda dry – I bet the cream cheese and feta would have been better.”
I swear, he does love me. Even though I don’t know his cheese preferences.
Spinach and Cheddar Quinoa Bake [adapted from Shape]
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 1 cup almond milk + 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 onion, chopped (about 3/4 cup)
- 1 cup bell pepper, chopped (I used half green, half red)
- 2 packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed & drained
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Bring quinoa, almond milk, and water to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cover until all liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
- While quinoa is cooking, saute onion and bell peppers until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add in spinach, garlic, pepper flakes, salt, and paprika, stirring well to mix. Cook an additional 3 minutes, until garlic becomes fragrant but not brown.
- Add vegetables and 3/4 cup of cheese to the quinoa mixture, mixing well. Spread into a sprayed baking dish.
- Top mixture with remaining 1/4 cup of cheese and breadcrumbs. Spray top lightly with cooking spray.
- Bake 25 – 30 minutes, until top is browned and casserole looks slightly puffy.
Slice into 12 squares.
Approximate nutrition (per 1/6 of the recipe, or 2 squares): 245 calories, 10 grams fat, 14 grams protein
I was amazed at the awesome vitamin and mineral content, too: Vitamin A 196%, Vitamin C 79%, Calcium 26%, Iron 24%. A great entrée for vegetarians, maybe a better side dish for meat-lovers. 
Simple sides: fries for my potato loving husband & veggies for me (which I lovingly shared 
).
We did quite a job on the casserole for not being HUGE fans of the results!
It was filling, healthy, and a very easy dish to make. Next time I think I’d try the feta approach, and possibly leave out the eggs and cook it just on the stove top. More quinoa experiments to come!
Oooh I love this idea! It looks delicious!!
Cait’s Plate recently posted..Pumped with Pumpkin
This looks reallllly good! I love crispy crunchy topping.
I am still working my way through a Costco sized bag of quinoa, so please keep recipes like this coming! Looks delicious
Awesome!
At least you attempted something new! It does look like a cool concept for a dish, minus being dry. But hey, luckily that’s easily something you can change!
I want my husband to do a dish for me soon. We’ve been rocking homemade gnocchi together lately. though. Watch out gnocchi making contest…we might be top competitors in it haha
char eats GREENS recently posted..bringing back breakfast + important things to note
I can be the judge!
This looks so good! Love how it packs in the nutrition too. I’ve never actually cooked with quinoa myself, but I always like it when I have it when I go out!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope recently posted..The Bent Stove Murder Mystery
I’ve never had it while dining out! What’s been your favorite preparation?
you’re so nice for sharing your veggies – i’m stingy like no other when it comes to my veggies! i’ve actually slapped away j’s hand before thinking!
whoops!
teabagginit recently posted..ABC’s now you know me
Well it couldn’t have been that bad!
I haven’t been a cooking mood lately, either. I did make a broccoli slaw bake last night, though, that was really good and SO easy!
M recently posted..Cashew Butter: Do It
Mmm, I love broccoli slaw!
I need to experiment more with quinoa, I always end up cooking it exactly the same way… this looks great!
Haha aww, that’s totally something that I would do too. Will HATES feta & goat cheese with a passion.
Actually, I change my mind– I’d probably cook it WITH the cheese, just to see if he even noticed it was in there 8)
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance recently posted..Welcome Home Hibachi
No one can hate goat cheese. I don’t believe it.
It’s like quinoa mac and cheese
Matt @ The Athlete’s Plate recently posted..Don’t Fear The {Healthy} Fats
That’s what the original recipe was called – but I think mine is way more mac & cheese like thanks to the cheddar.
This is healthy and delicious looking. It is a meal I would enjoy very much. Blessings, Catherine xo
I love experimenting with quinoa, but have never baked it before. I like this idea!
Oooh men! They just complicate our lives, don’t they? Aren’t they supposed to be simple and easy to please? ;-p I know I would LOVE this dish; can I come over and help you finish it off? I love quinoa, and think I might try playing around with the recipe too! I’d probably use cream cheese but skip the feta and go with parmesan because it melts better. I bet this would also be good with goat cheese and tomatoes! So many options!
The parmesan sounds like a great idea! Goat cheese can never be a bad thing!
this looks incredibly tasty and so healthy. i have yet to cook with quinoa, it’s been way too long now.
Honey What’s Cooking recently posted..healthier… Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding
Yum, I’m loving all the flavors and ingredients that go into this tasty casserole. Can’t wait to give it a try!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious recently posted..Muffin Monday: Sugar-Crusted Strawberry Blueberry Muffins and Giveaway Winner
I totally would’ve used cheddar too, but I’ll give the recipe a shot. thanks xx
I would’ve gone with the cheddar too, but I’ll go with the recipe first. thanks xx