Quinoa Spinach and Egg Bake (Print Version)
Protein-packed casserole with fluffy quinoa, tender spinach, and baked eggs topped with golden melted cheese.
# What You 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
→ 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
12 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
13 - 1 tbsp olive oil
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease an 8x8 inch baking dish with olive oil or non-stick cooking spray.
02 - Rinse quinoa under cold water until water runs clear. Combine quinoa and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes until all liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool slightly.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
04 - Add chopped spinach to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes until completely wilted. Remove from heat and set aside.
05 - In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg until well combined. Add cooked quinoa, spinach mixture, parsley, and half of the shredded cheese. Stir until evenly distributed.
06 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining cheese across the top in an even layer.
07 - Bake for 25-30 minutes until the center is set and the cheese topping is golden brown. A knife inserted near the center should come out clean.
08 - Allow the bake to cool for 5 minutes before slicing into portions. Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired. Serve while warm.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- It transforms humble ingredients into something that feels special enough for brunch but cozy enough for a Tuesday night dinner
- The leftovers reheat beautifully, making it the ultimate meal prep ally for busy weeks
02 -
- Hot quinoa will partially cook your eggs if you don't let it cool first, creating an odd texture
- Overbaking leads to rubbery eggs, so pull it out when just set with a slight jiggle in the center
03 -
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded for the smoothest melt
- Press out excess moisture from thawed frozen spinach if using it instead of fresh