Imagine a mouthwatering dish that combines the hearty nutrition of quinoa with the vibrant flavors of classic Italian cuisine. This Italian Baked Quinoa with Fresh Tomato Topping is not just a meal—it's a culinary adventure that will transport your taste buds straight to the sun-drenched hills of Italy. Packed with protein, bursting with cheesy goodness, and topped with fresh basil, this recipe is about to become your new go-to comfort food that's both incredibly delicious and surprisingly healthy.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Rinse the quinoa thoroughly in a fine-mesh strainer under cold water to remove any bitter coating. Drain well.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is tender.
- While quinoa is cooking, drain the canned diced tomatoes, reserving the juice. Chop fresh basil leaves and set aside.
- Once quinoa is cooked, fluff with a fork and transfer to the prepared baking dish. Spread evenly across the dish.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the quinoa. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Top the quinoa with the drained diced tomatoes, spreading them evenly across the surface.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until cheese is melted and slightly golden and tomatoes are heated through.
- Remove from oven and immediately garnish with freshly chopped basil.
- Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and cheese to set.
- Serve hot as a main dish or side, optionally drizzling some of the reserved tomato juice for extra moisture if desired.
Tips
- Always rinse quinoa thoroughly to remove the natural saponin coating, which can make it taste bitter.
- Use high-quality vegetable broth for more depth of flavor in your quinoa base.
- For extra richness, consider adding a splash of olive oil when mixing the quinoa.
- Choose fresh mozzarella if possible for a more authentic and creamy texture.
- Don't skip letting the dish rest after baking—this helps the cheese set and flavors meld together.
- If you want a crispier top, switch to broil for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
- Experiment with adding other herbs like oregano or thyme for variation.
- For a protein boost, consider adding diced chicken or white beans to the recipe.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 20mg
