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
Equipment
- large sheet pan, 15 x 21-inch
- Small pot
- Baking pan 9 x 13-inch
- Aluminum foil
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 pounds sweet potatoes 2 medium potatoes, 5 cups, chopped into 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 divided
- 1 cup uncooked white quinoa drained and rinsed
- 2 cups vegetable stock or broth or water
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 (15-ounce) can fire-roasted corn drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 (10-ounce) can mild red enchilada sauce homemade or store-boughtโsee note 1
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1-1/2 cups sharp Cheddar cheese divided, see note 2
- Toppings as desired see note 3
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425ยฐF. Peel and chop sweet potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice onion and chop the sweet bell pepper. Put all the veggies on a large (15x21-inch) 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 to taste (I add 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper). Bake for 15 minutes, flip, and bake another 10โ15 minutes. Depending on the size of veggies and the tray size (less space = longer cook time), you may need an additional 5โ10 minutes. Potatoes and pepper should be fork tender and onions caramelized and slightly crispy. Remove and set aside to cool. Reduce oven temperature to 350ยฐF.
- Meanwhile, add quinoa and stock to a small pot. Cook according to package directions, then remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Cover quinoa and set aside.
- Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Pour cooked and fluffed quinoa in the baking dish. Add roasted veggie mix on 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 saltโadd to preference.) Gently stir to combine in the baking dish. Taste and adjust salt and pepper to taste. (You can also add additional chili powder/garlic powder/cumin if desired.)
- Cover the pan with foil and bake 20โ25 minutes. Remove foil, add remaining 1 cup cheese, and bake an additional 7โ10 minutes or until cheese is fully melted. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. Garnish with your favorite toppings. My must-haves: chopped avocado, sour cream, chopped cilantro, and plenty of lime juice! I 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