Vegetarian Butternut Squash Quinoa Casserole
A flavorful and hearty vegetarian casserole combining roasted butternut squash with nutty quinoa and packed with colorful vegetables for a nutritious meal.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed Rinse before cooking to remove bitterness.
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed Cut evenly for uniform cooking.
- 1 medium onion, diced Sauté until translucent.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced Cook until fragrant.
- 1 cup spinach, chopped Add at the end to keep its color.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil For roasting and sautéing.
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt Adjust to taste.
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper Adjust to taste.
- ½ cup shredded cheese (optional) Use your favorite kind.
- fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large pot, bring the vegetable broth to a boil. Add the rinsed quinoa, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the quinoa is fluffy and the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered.
- While the quinoa cooks, toss the cubed butternut squash with olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, cumin, and paprika. Spread the squash on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until tender and slightly caramelized, stirring halfway through.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add a little olive oil and sauté the diced onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Stir in the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, roasted butternut squash, sautéed onion, garlic, and spinach. Mix well.
Baking
- Transfer the mixture into a greased casserole dish. If desired, sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
- Bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.
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Notes
For a creamy texture, mix in cream cheese or cream of mushroom soup before baking. Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes before serving to meld flavors.