Quinoa & Beef Mexican Casserole

Discover the ultimate fusion of flavor and nutrition with our Quinoa & Beef Mexican Casserole dish! Packed with protein-rich quinoa, fresh veggies, and zesty Mexican spices, this vibrant, layered masterpiece not only satisfies your taste buds but also supports your wellness journey. Healthy eating has never been this delicious—dive in and fuel your body with every nutritious bite!

Image source: AI-generated

Serves: 6
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 lb extra-lean ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1–2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 4–6 dashes hot sauce (e.g., Tabasco)
• 1 (14 oz) can corn, drained
• 1 (19 oz) can black beans, rinsed
• 1 (28 oz) can whole tomatoes, hand-crushed
• 1 cup Herdez red salsa
• ¾ cup grated soy cheese (jalapeño flavor recommended)
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Cook the quinoa:

• Rinse quinoa in a fine-mesh sieve under cold water.
• Dry-toast in a skillet over medium heat for 7 minutes, stirring often, until it crackles.
• Add 1.5 cups boiling water, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

1. Prepare the beef filling:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic for 2–3 minutes until soft.
• Add ground beef, coriander, chili powder, oregano, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Cook until beef is browned (5–7 minutes).

1. Layer the casserole:

• Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
• In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread cooked quinoa evenly.
• Layer in this order:
  1. Beef mixture
  2. Corn
  3. Crushed tomatoes
  4. Salsa
  5. Black beans
  6. Soy cheese

1. Bake & broil:

• Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.
• Switch to broil for 3–5 minutes until cheese is golden.

1. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.

Why This Works Better:

• Clearer steps with numbered instructions.
• Standardized formatting (e.g., “oz” instead of “ounce”).
• Added tips (e.g., jalapeño cheese suggestion).
• Simplified ingredient prep (e.g., “hand-crushed tomatoes”).

Perfect for a hearty, protein-packed meal! Let me know if you’d like any tweaks. 🌶️