Pizza Quinoa Casserole

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. Cook: 10 min.

  Makes

6 servings

Updated: Sep. 10, 2022

If you like pizza night, give this healthy quinoa casserole a try! It's a fun way to sneak in a healthy meal packed with protein and veggies.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 pound Italian turkey sausage links, casings removed
• 1 small red onion, sliced
• 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 2 cups pizza sauce
• 1 package (6 ounces) sliced turkey pepperoni
• 1 medium green pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• Optional: Minced fresh basil, sliced olives, oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes (drained), banana peppers and red pepper flakes

Directions

1. Select saute setting on a 6-qt. electric pressure cooker. Adjust for medium heat; add oil. When oil is hot, add sausage and onion; cook and stir until sausage is no longer pink and onion is tender, 5-7 minutes, breaking up sausage into crumbles; drain. Press cancel.
2. Stir in mushrooms and broth. Add quinoa (do not stir). Lock lid; close pressure-release valve. Adjust to pressure-cook on high for 2 minutes. Quick-release pressure.
3. Stir in pizza sauce, pepperoni and green pepper; cover and let stand until pepper softens slightly, 5-10 minutes. Sprinkle servings with cheeses. If desired, serve with optional toppings.
4. 
   
5. Slow-cooker option: In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat; cook sausage and onion until sausage is no longer pink, 5-7 minutes, breaking up sausage into large crumbles. Drain.
6. Transfer sausage and onion to a 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker. Stir in mushrooms, broth and quinoa. Cook, covered, on low for 5 hours; stir in pizza sauce, pepperoni and green pepper. Cook, covered, on low until pepper is tender, about 1 hour longer. Sprinkle servings with cheeses. If desired, serve with optional toppings.

Pizza Quinoa Casserole Tips

What variations of this pizza quinoa casserole can I try?

If you don’t like an ingredient, you can easily leave it out or substitute something else. For instance, replace the sausage with ground beef, or omit it entirely and make a delicious vegetarian meal. You can also switch up the sauce, cheese or veggies—the options are endless!

Is this quinoa casserole recipe healthy?

This quinoa casserole includes healthy ingredients like fresh vegetables, lean meat and, of course, quinoa. It’s a bit high in sodium, so consider omitting the pepperoni and Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/4 cups: 350 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 61mg cholesterol, 1481mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 25g protein.