Italian Baked Quinoa with Fresh Tomato Topping

This Italian Baked Quinoa with Fresh Tomato Topping is a great gluten free casserole recipe that the whole family will love!
It is hard to believe how quickly this month has flown! I’ve been so busy that it feel like a haven’t even thought about Halloween.

It is all my kids are talking about, though.

Last year, we had a terrible storm on Halloween, and the kids missed trick-or-treating. It was pretty sad for the boys since we’d spent a lot of time making their costumes.

This year, I declared early September that we would order costumes. I then reminded the boys on a weekly basis that we needed to get it done.

The boys treated the decision like it is one that was going to impact them for a lifetime. Despite my best intentions we just got them ordered yesterday from Amazon and are anxiously awaiting Saturday delivery.

Skye is going to wear the princess costume that she was supposed to wear last year.

It is so funny the difference a year makes! Last year at two she wasn’t even kind of interested in trying it on.

This year, she wants to wear her costume for a couple of hours a day.

I’m crossing my fingers that it lasts until Monday.

This Italian Baked Quinoa with Fresh Tomato Topping is just the type of dish that I like to serve in the days leading up to a big holiday where I know everyone will be indulging.

You may also like:

Butternut Squash Quinoa Casserole

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Italian Baked Quinoa with Fresh Tomato Topping

This Italian Baked Quinoa with Fresh Tomato Topping is a great gluten free casserole recipe that the whole family will love!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Gluten Free, Healthy, Quinoa

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 3 minutes

Servings 12

Calories 447 kcal

Author Wendy Polisi

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 onion chopped
• 1 green bell pepper chopped
• 1 lb ground beef or vegan beef substitute I like Beyond Meat
• 2 - 24 ounce jars tomato sauce
• 14.5 ounces fire roasted tomatoes
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 12 ounces mozzarella shredded or Daiya shreds
• 6 cups cooked quinoa
• 12 ounces provolone cheese sliced or Daiya mozzarella shreds
• Fresh Tomato Topping
• 2 cups grape tomatoes halved
• 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13 x 9 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and pepper and cook for 8 minutes. Add ground beef or beef substitute and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain if necessary. Add tomato sauce, tomatoes, vinegar, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, crushed red pepper and salt. Reduce heat to medium low and cook for 15 minutes.
3. Place mozzarella and quinoa in a large bowl and toss with sauce. Transfer to prepared dish and top with provolone.
4. Bake for 25 minutes, until bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes and then top with Fresh Tomato Topping.
5. Meanwhile, To make the Fresh Tomato Topping, combine tomatoes, basil, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, sea salt and ground black pepper and allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Recipe Notes

Servings 12, Calories 466, Fat 21.6g, Carbohydrates 35.1g, Protein 33.4g, Cholesterol 68mg, Sodium 1196mg, Potassium 475mg, Fiber 6.1g, Sugars 10.6g, WW Pts 12

Nutrition Facts

Italian Baked Quinoa with Fresh Tomato Topping

Amount Per Serving

Calories 447 Calories from Fat 225

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 25g 38%

Saturated Fat 12g 60%

Cholesterol 68mg 23%

Sodium 1102mg 46%

Potassium 607mg 17%

Total Carbohydrates 28g 9%

Dietary Fiber 4g 16%

Sugars 5g

Protein 25g 50%

Vitamin A 22.6%

Vitamin C 20.4%

Calcium 41.1%

Iron 19.2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Wish me luck!