Print
clockclock iconcutlerycutlery iconflagflag iconfolderfolder iconinstagraminstagram iconpinterestpinterest iconfacebookfacebook iconprintprint iconsquaressquares iconheartheart iconheart solidheart solid icon

Meat Lovers Pizza Quinoa Bake Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

This Meat Lovers Pizza Quinoa Bake combines the hearty flavors of a classic meat lovers pizza with a healthy, protein-packed quinoa base. It's a comforting casserole dish layered with marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, shredded mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and pepperoni, perfect for a wholesome family meal.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Quinoa Base

  • 1.5 cups uncooked white quinoa, rinsed
  • 24 oz. marinara sauce
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ medium white onion, minced and separated

Cheese and Toppings

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 6 oz. pepperoni

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375ºF to get it ready for baking the casserole.
  2. Combine Ingredients: In a casserole dish, add the rinsed quinoa, marinara sauce, water, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and half of the minced onion. Stir well until the quinoa is fully submerged in the sauce.
  3. Bake Covered: Cover the casserole dish with a lid or foil and bake for 30 minutes to start cooking the quinoa and infusing flavors.
  4. Stir and Continue Baking: Remove the cover, stir the mixture carefully, wipe down the edges to prevent burning, then cover again and bake for an additional 20-30 minutes until the liquid is mostly absorbed and the quinoa begins to sprout.
  5. Add Cheese and Pepperoni: Uncover the casserole, evenly distribute the shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan on top, then layer the pepperoni slices over the cheese. Bake uncovered for another 10 minutes to melt the cheese and crisp the pepperoni slightly.
  6. Rest and Serve: Remove the bake from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. If it appears watery, keep it covered during the rest period. Afterwards, sprinkle dried oregano on top for extra flavor and enjoy.

Notes

  • The ideal liquid ratio for quinoa is 4 cups to 1.5 cups quinoa; substitute water or broth if there's not enough marinara sauce.
  • Replace water with broth for enhanced flavor.
  • Add ½ to 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes in step 2 for a spicier dish.
  • If using plain canned tomato sauce instead of marinara or pizza sauce, increase Italian seasoning by 2 teaspoons and add ½ to 1 teaspoon extra salt for balanced taste.
  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Find it online: https://avascooking.com/meat-lovers-pizza-quinoa-bake-recipe/