This Mediterranean-style quinoa casserole is the most flavorful yet nourishing meal. It's a hearty vegetarian main that's loaded with veggies and herbs and topped with melty mozzarella and feta cheeses. It's easy enough for weeknights, and it's ready in an hour!
Ingredients
1 ½ cupsquinoa
¼ cupEACH: sun-dried tomato pesto, chopped artichoke hearts (from a can), and chopped kalamata olives
2tablespoonschopped sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil
2clovesgarlic, grated with a Microplane or very finely minced
1teaspoonEACH: sea salt and pepper
1cupgrated mozzarella, divided
1cupcrumbled feta cheese, divided
2bell peppers, chopped
½ red onion, sliced
Cherry tomatoes and fresh basil or parsley, to serve
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Place the quinoa in a medium-sized pot and add 3 cups of water. Bring it to a boil then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the quinoa is soft and the water has been absorbed.
1 ½ cups quinoa
While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the rest of the casserole. Add the sun-dried tomato pesto, artichokes, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, and pepper to a 9x13 casserole dish and mix them together. When the quinoa has finished cooking, add it to the casserole dish along with half of the mozzarella and half of the feta cheese and mix everything until it is well combined.
¼ cup EACH: sun-dried tomato pesto, chopped artichoke hearts (from a can), and chopped kalamata olives, 2 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 2 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon EACH: sea salt and pepper, 1 cup grated mozzarella, 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
Press the quinoa down lightly in the casserole dish and top with the bell peppers, onion, and remaining cheese.
2 bell peppers, ½ red onion
Bake in the preheated oven, uncovered, for 40-45 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling and the peppers are soft. Remove the quinoa casserole from the oven and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.