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Easy One Pan Mexican Quinoa Casserole

A delightful and hearty one pan dish combining nutritious quinoa, juicy vegetables, and savory meat, perfect for busy weeknights or gatherings.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meat and base
  • 1 pound ground beef or turkey
  • 1 cup raw quinoa, rinsed or buy pre-rinsed quinoa
  • 1½ cups black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1½ cups low sodium chicken broth
Vegetables and seasoning
  • 1/2-1 large onion, minced
  • 1 14.5 ounce can Ro-Tel Tomatoes with Chilies
  • 1 14.5 ounce can corn, drained
  • 1 bell pepper diced small red is preferred for color
  • 1/2-1 packet taco seasoning use according to preference
  • 1-2 pieces chipotle peppers in adobo sauce optional but adds a smoky flavor
Toppings and extras
  • 1 cup shredded cheese plus more, if needed
  • to taste avocado for serving
  • to taste cilantro for serving
  • to taste salsa for serving
  • to taste Greek yogurt or sour cream for serving
  • to taste hot sauce or any store-bought sauces for serving
  • to taste olives for serving

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef or turkey along with the diced onion, cooking until browned, breaking the meat apart as it cooks.
Assembly
  1. Stir in diced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and taco seasoning, mixing thoroughly.
  2. In a 9x13-inch casserole dish, spread one cup of rinsed quinoa. Layer with cooked meat mixture, followed by bell peppers, black beans, Ro-Tel tomatoes, corn, and pour chicken broth over the top.
Baking
  1. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
  2. Remove the foil, sprinkle shredded cheese on top, and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes.
  3. Broil on high for about two minutes for a crispy topping.
Serving
  1. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Top with avocado, cilantro, salsa, Greek yogurt, or any desired sauces.

Notes

For an extra crunch, consider adding crushed tortilla chips on top before serving. Marinate the meat in taco seasoning for enhanced flavor. For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and increase beans and vegetables.