Description
Healthy Quinoa Lentil Spinach Bake is a cozy, protein-packed vegetarian casserole made with fluffy quinoa, hearty lentils, fresh spinach, warm spices, and a golden cheesy topping. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or a nourishing family dinner.
Ingredients
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
2 cups vegetable broth (for quinoa)
1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed (or 1 ½ cups canned lentils, drained)
3 cups vegetable broth (for lentils if cooking from dry)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3–4 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups fresh spinach (or 10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
Seasonings
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon black pepper
Salt to taste
Optional: ½ teaspoon dried thyme or oregano
Topping
½–1 cup feta or shredded mozzarella
(or 2–3 tablespoons nutritional yeast for dairy-free option)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook quinoa: In a saucepan, combine rinsed quinoa and 2 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer 15 minutes. Let sit covered 5 minutes, then fluff.
Cook lentils: Simmer lentils in 3 cups vegetable broth for 20–25 minutes until tender. Drain if needed. (Skip this step if using canned lentils.)
Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Cook onion 3–4 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
Add spinach & spices: Stir in spinach and cook until wilted. Add cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and optional herbs.
Combine: In a large bowl, mix quinoa, lentils, and spinach mixture. Adjust seasoning.
Bake: Transfer to baking dish. Top with cheese (or nutritional yeast). Bake 25–30 minutes until heated through and lightly golden.
Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use canned lentils for a faster weeknight option.
Squeeze excess moisture from frozen spinach to prevent a watery bake.
Add 1–2 beaten eggs for a firmer texture (optional, not vegan).
Stores in the fridge up to 4 days. Freezer-friendly for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg