Quinoa Spinach and Egg Bake (Printable version)
Hearty casserole with protein-rich quinoa, tender spinach, and baked eggs under a golden cheesy crust.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Grains
01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
02 - 2 cups water
→ Vegetables
03 - 5 oz fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Dairy
06 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or mozzarella)
07 - 1/2 cup milk (dairy or unsweetened plant-based)
→ Eggs
08 - 4 large eggs
→ Seasonings
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
12 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
13 - 1 tbsp olive oil
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease an 8x8 inch baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray.
02 - Rinse quinoa thoroughly under cold water. Combine quinoa and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Set aside to cool slightly.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook 2-3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
04 - Add chopped spinach to the skillet and cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat.
05 - In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir in cooked quinoa, spinach mixture, parsley, and half of the cheese. Mix until well combined.
06 - Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese evenly on top.
07 - Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until center is set and top is golden brown.
08 - Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with extra parsley if desired. Serve warm.
# Expert tips:
01 -
- It tastes like comfort food but packs 17 grams of protein per serving
- The leftovers somehow taste even better the next morning
02 -
- Hot quinoa will cook the eggs if you do not let it cool slightly first
- The center may look slightly jiggly when you remove it but it will finish setting while resting
03 -
- Letting the bake rest before slicing is non-negotiable for clean portions
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded for better melting