Quinoa Spinach and Egg Bake (Printable)
Fluffy quinoa meets tender spinach and baked eggs with a golden cheesy crust for a satisfying meal anytime.
# What You'll Need:
→ Grains
01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
02 - 2 cups water
→ Vegetables
03 - 5 oz fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Dairy
06 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or mozzarella)
07 - 1/2 cup milk (dairy or unsweetened plant-based)
→ Eggs
08 - 4 large eggs
→ Seasonings
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
12 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
13 - 1 tbsp olive oil
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease an 8x8 inch baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray.
02 - Rinse quinoa thoroughly under cold water. In a saucepan, combine quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Set aside to cool slightly.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
04 - Add chopped spinach to the skillet and cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat.
05 - In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir in the cooked quinoa, spinach mixture, parsley, and half of the cheese. Mix until well combined.
06 - Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly on top.
07 - Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden brown.
08 - Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with extra parsley if desired. Serve warm.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The crispy golden cheese crust on top is genuinely worth the wait
- It actually tastes better reheated the next day
02 -
- Underbaking is better than overbaking since the residual heat finishes the center
- The nutmeg is optional but it adds a subtle warmth that makes people ask what the secret ingredient is
03 -
- Use a glass baking dish so you can see exactly when the bottom is perfectly golden
- Let the quinoa cool for at least 10 minutes before mixing with the eggs so it does not cook them prematurely