Description
This Quinoa Mushroom Spinach Casserole is a hearty, nutritious dish combining fluffy tri-color quinoa, sautéed mushrooms, fresh spinach, and a rich blend of ricotta and mozzarella cheeses. Enhanced with Italian herbs and tomato sauce, it’s a deliciously comforting casserole perfect for a wholesome family dinner.
Ingredients
Quinoa
- 2 bags Success Tri-Color Quinoa (prepared according to package directions)
Vegetable Mixture
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 4 cups baby spinach leaves
- 3 cups tomato sauce
Cheese Mixture
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Instructions
- Prepare Quinoa. Cook the quinoa according to the package directions until fluffy and set aside.
- Preheat Oven. Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Sauté Vegetables. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped garlic and onions and sauté for 1 minute. Add sliced mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add baby spinach leaves and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomato sauce and keep the mixture warm.
- Mix Cheese Blend. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, beaten egg, 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning until well blended.
- Assemble Casserole Layers. Spread 1 cup of the vegetable sauce at the bottom of a 2-quart baking dish. Layer half of the cooked quinoa evenly over the sauce, then spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture on top. Add 1 cup of the sauce over this layer and sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella. Repeat the layers with the remaining quinoa, ricotta mixture, 1 cup sauce, and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Bake. Place the baking dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
- Serve. Remove from oven and serve warm as a satisfying main dish or side.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, consider using homemade tomato sauce or a high-quality store-bought brand.
- You can customize this casserole by adding other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini.
- To make it vegetarian, ensure that the tomato sauce contains no meat-based ingredients.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a crispier top, broil the casserole for the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
