Cheesy Quinoa and Bacon Casserole

If you are like me, you can never have too many casserole recipes. And this one is packed with veggies, cheese , bacon and quinoa. I’m in heaven.

With three busy kids, I need to have lots of make-ahead-meals in my rotation.  This casserole can be prepared the night before, or in the morning and then placed in the oven later.  You can easily omit the bacon if you want to keep this vegetarian, but why would you do something like that? 😉  Make sure you choose quality center cut, low sodium, nitrate and nitrite free bacon.  It’s important!  It tastes just as good as the kind that is filled with all of those nasty chemicals.  Pinky swear.

5 from 1 vote

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Cheesy Quinoa and Bacon Casserole

Servings 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups quinoa rinsed and drained
• 3 cups water
• 1 cup milk of choice
• 4 cups baby spinach
• 1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese- I use Vermont Sharp from Cabot
• 4 pieces of center cut nitrate-free cooked bacon, crumbled

Instructions

1. Place rinsed quinoa and water in a large sauce pan under high heat.
2. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until all liquid is gone.
3. Add milk and spinach and stir until mixed well and spinach wilts. Remove from heat.
4. Add one cup of cheese and mix well. Place in lightly greased 9 x 13 casserole dish and cover.
5. Place in the refrigerator if you are baking later.
6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
7. Bake in oven for 30 minutes until melted.
8. Add remaining 1/2 cup cheese and crumbled bacon and broil for 4-5 minutes until lightly browned.

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 servings, 8 servings in total
Amount Per Serving
Calories 266  Calories from Fat 121
Total Fat 13.5g
Saturated Fat 6.4g
Trans Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 35mg
Sodium 381mg
Potassium 345mg
Total Carbohydrates 21.7g
Dietary Fiber 2.4g
Sugars 1.5g
Protein 14.5g

This recipe only has 5 ingredients! Well 6 if you count the water! 😉

I mean, let’s be honest, cheese + bacon is a match made in heaven.  Add some quinoa and spinach for some nutrition and this dish is just about as perfect as it gets.  All three of the kiddies liked it too (which rarely happens!)

I hope you enjoy it! Come back and let me know. 🙂