This post was originally published in March 2015, and was updated to modify a few changes I’ve made to the recipe and add new photos.
Who says eating healthy has to be boring? This Mexican Quinoa Casserole certainly isn’t, and can be help you use up any leftover veggies you may have lying around.
The inspiration: Blue Apron’s Mexican Style “Rice” and Beef Casserole. Blue Apron’s version, while delicious, is filled with Mexican Crema, 80% ground beef, and shredded jack cheese for a total of about 41g fat per serving.
Lightened up, it comes in at 10f / 33c / 31p for 1/6 of the dish. If you swap the 93% beef or turkey for an option with a lower fat percentage, then the macros get even better!
Read how to create and log this recipe in MyFitnessPal.
Ingredients
- 1 package (20 oz) 99% fat free ground turkey
- 1/2c dry white quinoa (1.5c cooked)
- 1 bell pepper, sliced (or more for volume)
- 1 red onion, sliced (or more for volume)
- 1 can no salt added diced tomatoes
- 1 can low sodium black beans
- 1 can diced green chiles (optional)
- 3/4t ground cumin
- 1/2t paprika
- 1/2t chili powder
- 1/4t garlic powder
- 1/4t cayenne pepper
- 3/4c 1% cottage cheese
- 3/4c 2% milk shredded Mexican cheese
- 1 jalapeno, sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450.
- Cook quinoa according to package.
- Brown ground turkey. Drain if necessary.
- Add in peppers, onions, and seasonings (more to taste) to the browned turkey and cook until veggies softened (2-4 min).
- Add tomatoes (undrained) and black beans (rinsed and drained), as well as chiles, if using. Cook for another 2-4 minutes.
- Add cottage cheese and stir until well mixed.
- Remove from heat and add in cooked quinoa.
- Transfer mixture to a 9×13 baking pan.
- Top with shredded Mexican-blend cheese, and sliced jalapeños to taste.
- Cook for 12-15 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly.
Serve with Wholly guacamole mini cups for some healthy fats. Package in individual portions for easy lunches or dinners (I love these meal prep containers). The recipe also freezes well!
Looking for more meal prep ideas? Try these:
– Chicken burrito bowls
– Quick pasta meal prep
– Thai mini meatloaf
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