This Baked Quinoa Casserole is an easy, hearty main dish that is perfect for fall. It's ready in under 30 minutes and is a great gluten-free dinner recipe to feed a crowd! Even my kids loved this cheesy quinoa recipe loaded with sausage, apples and veggies!
Once water is boiling turn the heat down to a simmer.
Simmer on low for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes turn off the heat, stir the quinoa, and return the lid to the pot.
Let the quinoa sit covered for 15 more minutes.
After 15 minutes, fluff the quinoa with a spatula and it’s ready to use in this baked quinoa recipe.
Make the Baked Quinoa Casserole:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
Add 1 TBS olive oil to a 10” round cast iron skillet.
Add sausage to the skillet and cook until it just starts to brown.
Add onion, bell pepper and minced garlic and cook for 5-8 minutes until the onions are translucent.
Remove from heat and add apples, stir to combine.
Add canned tomatoes, garlic salt, 1 cup cheese and milk and stir until combined and the cheese is melted (you may need to return the pan to the heat source and cook on low heat to get the cheese to melt).
Add cooked quinoa and stir until combined.
Top with remaining 1 cup of cheese
Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Serve warm with a sprinkle of fresh parsley if desired.
Video
Notes
Ingredient Substitutions
Quinoa. Obviously quinoa is one of the main ingredients in this recipe. So I don't recommend substituting it. However, an equal amount of cooked brown, rice or wild rice can be used in its place.
Smoked Sausage. Use your favorite sausage variety in this recipe with great results: chicken sausage, Italian sausage, etc.
Green Peppers. Use any color bell pepper, omit them or substitute a different vegetable such as carrots, celery, more onion, etc. etc.
Apple. I used Pink Lady apples in this recipe for their slightly sweet, slightly tart flavor and firm texture. Use your favorite apple variety.
Fire Roasted Tomatoes. Again, I tested this recipe once with plain diced tomatoes and once with fire roasted, and I just prefer the flavor of the fire roasted better. It's totally up to you and you can use any flavor/variety of canned diced tomatoes that you wish, as long as you are aware that the flavor of tomatoes will change the overall flavor of the dish.
Whole Milk. 2%, cream or half and half are good substitutes for whole milk.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese. The sharper the better!
Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freeze
You can freeze the entire casserole before baking (meal prepping for having a baby, giving a meal to a friend, etc.). Just assemble the casserole and then cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil and freeze. Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then bake according to the recipe instructions.You can also freeze leftovers in an airtight contianer in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.