A nutritious and tasty Quinoa Enchilada Bake with sweet potato, black beans, and corn – a meatless, protein-rich family favorite.
Pair this with a simple side dish such as this cucumber salad, this mandarin orange salad, or this Italian salad!
Why We Love This Quinoa Enchilada Bake
- Nutritious and Filling: This dish is a protein-packed, vegetarian favorite.
- Adaptable for Various Diets: Allows for vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options.
- Easy to Customize: Options for added meat, spicier flavors, or different vegetables.
- Simple to Prepare: Involves roasting, cooking quinoa, and casserole assembly.
- Variety of Topping Choices: Offers personalization with toppings like avocado, lime, and sour cream.
Ingredients
- Sweet Potatoes, Red Pepper, Onion: Add flavor and texture.
- Olive Oil, Spices: Enhance taste and aroma.
- Quinoa: Provides a protein-rich base to this quinoa enchilada bake.
- Stock/Broth or Water: Cooks quinoa, adds moisture.
- Lime Juice, Corn, Beans, Sauce: Contribute tang, texture, and heartiness.
- Cilantro, Cheese, Toppings: Offer freshness, creaminess, and customization.
Quick Tip
Quinoa, a protein-rich and quick-cooking grain, has a bitter coating called saponin. Rinse it in a fine-mesh strainer before cooking to remove the bitterness.
How To Make Quinoa Enchilada Bake
- Roast: Sweet potatoes, red pepper, and onion.
- Cook Quinoa: In stock or water.
- Mix: Roasted veggies, quinoa, corn, beans, sauce, and cheese in a dish.
- Bake: Covered, then add cheese and bake until melted.
- Garnish: With toppings and serve.
Favorite Toppings On Quinoa Enchilada Bake
- Fresh and ripe sliced avocado (or guacamole).
- Fresh pico de gallo (or salsa).
- Lime juice (served with a few wedges per plate).
- Cilantro, finely chopped and sprinkled on top.
- Sour cream (fat-free works great).
- Tortilla chips (great for dipping).
Storage
Leftovers
More Quinoa Recipes
- Quinoa Black Bean Salad
- Crockpot Mexican Quinoa Tacos
- Crockpot Chicken Veggie Quinoa Soup
- Spring Quinoa Salad
- Quinoa Salad
Quinoa Enchilada Bake
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 pounds (2 medium; 5 cups) sweet potatoes chopped into small bite-sized pieces
- 1 red pepper chopped
- 1 small yellow onion thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 teaspoons chili powder separated
- 1 cup uncooked white quinoa drained and rinsed
- 2 cups vegetable stock/broth OR water
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 can (15 ounces) fire-roasted corn drained
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 can (10 ounces) mild red enchilada sauce (homemade or store-bought - Note 1)
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 and 1/2 cups sharp Cheddar cheese divided (Note 2)
- Toppings: chopped avocado, sour cream, tortilla chips, additional lime and cilantro
- Fine sea salt and freshly cracked pepper
Instructions
- VEGETABLES: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Peel and chop sweet potatoes into small bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the yellow onion and chop the sweet bell pepper. Put all the veggies on a large (full oven size) sheet pan or two half-sheet pans. Toss with olive oil, cumin, garlic powder, 1 and 1/2 teaspoons chili powder, and salt and pepper. (Add to taste; we add 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.) Place in preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, flip and bake for another 10-15 minutes. Depending on the size of veggies and the tray you're cooking them on (less space = longer cook time), you may need an additional 5-10 minutes. The potatoes and pepper should be fork tender and onions caramelized and slightly crispy. Remove and set aside to cool. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
- QUINOA:ย Meanwhile, add quinoa and stock (or broth or water) to a small saucepan. Cook according to package directions and then remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Cover quinoa and set aside.ย
- ASSEMBLE:ย Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Pour the cooked and fluffed quinoa into the baking dish. Add the roasted veggie mix ion top, and add the drained corn, drained and rinsed black beans, enchilada sauce, remaining 1 and 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, cilantro, 1/2 cup shredded cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. (I add another 1/2 teaspoons salt -- add to preference.) Gently stir to combine right in the baking dish. Taste and adjust salt and pepper seasoning to taste. (You can also add any additional chili powder/garlic powder/cumin if desired; we like it just as written!)
- BAKE:ย Cover the pan with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove foil, add remaining 1 cup of cheese and bake an additional 7-10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Garnish with your favorite toppings. Our must-haves: chopped avocado, sour cream, chopped cilantro, and plenty of lime juice! We love this with tortilla chips too (eating it as a dip)!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can you make this a few hours ahead and then just bake longer or will it make the quinoa mushy?
I haven’t tested this, but I think you’ll be fine making it a few hours ahead. If you’re super concerned, you can leave out the enchilada sauce until right before baking to prevent the quinoa from bloating or getting mushy.
2:30am I just made your recipe and took pictures of my own. I’m on my second bowl absolutely fabulous ๐
I am so happy to hear this! Thanks so much Bri! ๐