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With Salt and Wit

Laugh Often. Eat Well.

18 September 22, 2016 Allergy Friendly

5 Ingredient Caprese Quinoa Bake Recipe with Meatballs

This 5 Ingredient Caprese Quinoa Bake Recipe is a dinner time savor! It requires no prior cooking and filled with gooey cheese, heart-healthy quinoa, turkey meatballs and fresh basil. It freezes wonderfully so make two!

This 5 Ingredient Caprese Quinoa Bake Recipe is a dinner time savor! It requires no prior cooking and filled with gooey cheese, heart-healthy quinoa, turkey meatballs and fresh basil. It freezes wonderfully so make two!
This 5 Ingredient Caprese Quinoa Bake Recipe is a dinner time savor! It requires no prior cooking and filled with gooey cheese, heart-healthy quinoa, turkey meatballs and fresh basil. It freezes wonderfully so make two!

This 5 Ingredient Caprese Quinoa Bake Recipe is a dinner time savor! It requires no prior cooking and filled with gooey cheese, heart-healthy quinoa, turkey meatballs and fresh basil. It freezes wonderfully so make two!

I can hardly contain myself!!! Yes, that calls for lots of exclamation points bright and early on this Thursday morning. I am up north to Minneapolis for a photography workshop by the one and only, Pinch of Yum! I have so much respect for them as they are driven, down to earth and not to mention inspiring.

Their recipes are flat out mouthwatering and not to mention, full of comfort. And many that I recreate in my own kitchen as their taste is similar to mine.

This 5 Ingredient Caprese Quinoa Bake Recipe is a dinner time savor! It requires no prior cooking and filled with gooey cheese, heart-healthy quinoa, turkey meatballs and fresh basil. It freezes wonderfully so make two!

The past few months have been all about pushing my limits to see what I am truly capable of. In reality, the past couple of years has been about that as well. When I started this blog, I was working full-time and planning a wedding. Then once I quit my full-time job to focus on the blog, we found out we were pregnant then sold our condo and bought a new house. Holy stress. And now, nearly three years later, the blog has my undivided attention. And I couldn’t be more inspired for where I want to take it.

I am spending time focusing on my photography, hence this workshop! I am hoping to leave with a new drive for photography and a better understanding of lighting, which always seems to be an upward battle. Being able to read the light makes all the difference between a so-so photo and a stunning photo. I prefer the latter. I wish for that live-in-look of a photo, such as you just caught my family in the midst of a meal. Rather than a staged set up. I have high hopes for this workshop. Wish me luck as I venture into a new world of photography!

This 5 Ingredient Caprese Quinoa Bake Recipe is a dinner time savor! It requires no prior cooking and filled with gooey cheese, heart-healthy quinoa, turkey meatballs and fresh basil. It freezes wonderfully so make two!

Before I left for a couple of days, okay like 48 hours, I had to ensure sure our fridge was full of grab and go options so the hubs and Aiden won’t be going hungry. Or through the drive thru. There are plenty of peanut butter zucchini bread breakfast bars (recipe coming soon!), almond butter energy bites and baked oatmeal to keep them full all morning long. But what is missing? Oh ya, dinner.

Lately, dinner has to be speedy, with few ingredients and nutritious! That is where this 5 ingredient Caprese quinoa bake recipe comes in! There is something about the world casserole that makes me think of the 80’s, like a ham and cheese casserole of some sort. So in reality, this is a Caprese quinoa casserole loaded with turkey meatballs! But for fancy reasons, I went with bake! Did you ever think so much went into naming a recipe? Ya, I didn’t either until I had to start throwing together all the ingredients into some sort of name you all would understand at one look. It’s not easy.

For my simple version of this turkey quinoa Caprese casserole or bake, whichever you prefer to call it, I start with uncooked quinoa. I rinse it and then soak it in water for 15 minutes or so. While this is not mandatory, it does help cook the quinoa faster once it is in the oven. I found that when I did not soak it, the bottom quinoa was cooked while the top was a tad undercooked. If you choose not to soak the quinoa, you may want to give it a good stir then you can add more cheesy on top for that beautiful crust!

This 5 Ingredient Caprese Quinoa Bake Recipe is a dinner time savor! It requires no prior cooking and filled with gooey cheese, heart-healthy quinoa, turkey meatballs and fresh basil. It freezes wonderfully so make two!

OI have teamed up with PotandPans.com for National Cooking Day, this Sunday, September 25th! It was established to celebrate and commemorate the thrill of cooking at home. Something near and dear to my heart! In a time of fast food and hand-held meals, this day is bringing back the joys of cooking for one another, the time spent to exchange ideas, traditions and express our love for one another. I love cooking for family and friends as it is one of the easiest way for me to express my love and gratitude for them! Will you be joining in on this celebration?

This 5 Ingredient Caprese Quinoa Bake Recipe is a dinner time savor! It requires no prior cooking and filled with gooey cheese, heart-healthy quinoa, turkey meatballs and fresh basil. It freezes wonderfully so make two!

Items I used to make this recipe:


Make sure to pop on over to PotsandPans.com for Caprese Quinoa Bake Recipe with Meatballs that features a homemade meatball recipe!

5 Ingredient Caprese Quinoa Bake Recipe with Meatballs

This 5 Ingredient Caprese Quinoa Bake Recipe is a dinner time savor! It requires no prior cooking and filled with gooey cheese, heart-healthy quinoa, turkey meatballs and fresh basil. It freezes wonderfully so make two!

20 minPrep Time

40 minCook Time

1 hrTotal Time

Yields 8

Author:

Megan

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups uncooked quinoa
  • 4 cups tomato basil pasta sauce
  • 1 pound gluten free turkey meatballs
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 6 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced thinly
  • Optional: Thinly sliced basil

Instructions

  1. Place the quinoa in a large bowl. Add water to cover. Let soak for 15 minutes. (This is optional, but it helps the quinoa to cook faster.)
  2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 3.5-quart oval baking dish or a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  3. Rinse the quinoa with water. Then add to prepared baking dish. Add the pasta sauce. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Stir to fully incorporate.
  4. Sprinkle the mozzarella evenly over quinoa. Then add the meatballs, evenly over cheese.
  5. Lay the sliced mozzarella over the meatballs, trying to cover the dish completely.
  6. Place the dish in the oven and cook for 35-40 minutes, or until quinoa is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  7. Remove from oven and sprinkle with the thinly sliced basil, if desired.
7.8.1.2
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https://withsaltandwit.com/5-ingredient-caprese-quinoa-bake-recipe/

Need more easy dinner recipe inspiration?

These delicious Skinny Honey Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls are a super quick dinner! Tender chicken is sauteed until juicy and simmered in a homemade, healthy teriyaki sauce. Served with fresh veggies and rice, you will forget all about takeout!

Skinny Honey Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls

Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pork Burrito Bowls are a dinner saver as they cook all day in a homemade enchilada sauce then topped with sautéed peppers and juicy, seared pineapple!

Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pork Burrito Bowls

One Pot Cheesy Taco Zucchini Noodle Skillet is a healthy spin on Taco Tuesday! Zucchini noodles, enchilada spiced ground turkey, black beans, corn and creamy avocado help makeover this dish!

One Pot Cheesy Taco Zucchini Noodle Skillet

If you make this recipe, make sure to snap a photo and hashtag it #WITHSALTANDWIT. I’d love to see what you are cooking up in your kitchen!

18

Categories: Allergy Friendly Tags: Baked Pasta, cheese, dinner, easy Dinner, meatballs, mozzarella, Pasta Sauce, Quick Dinner, tomato sauce

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says

    September 22, 2016 at 3:00 pm

    Love a cheesy quinoa bake but have never made it in the slow cooker. Great idea!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      September 25, 2016 at 2:47 pm

      Well it does sound good in a slow cooker, but this is actually baked ;)
      Reply
  2. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

    September 22, 2016 at 8:00 pm

    I'm such a sucker for meatballs and this is definitely a new way for me to enjoy them! What a great meal that looks super hearty and tasty!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      September 25, 2016 at 2:47 pm

      I am with ya...love meatballs! Thanks Patricia!
      Reply
  3. Cookin Canuck says

    September 22, 2016 at 10:06 pm

    How awesome that you're doing Lindsay and Bjork's workshop! Your photos are already beautiful, but I'll bet you'll pick up plenty of good tips from them. Love the simplicity of this quinoa bake!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      September 25, 2016 at 2:47 pm

      Oh well thank you so much! You made me blush :)
      Reply
  4. katerina @ diethood.com says

    September 23, 2016 at 4:59 am

    Oh my goodness!! I love everything about this dish! I can't wait to try it!!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      September 23, 2016 at 6:09 am

      Thank you so much Katerina!
      Reply
  5. Michelle | A Latte Food says

    September 23, 2016 at 4:09 pm

    How fun! That workshop looks so incredible! And this Quinoa Bake looks incredible as well!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      September 25, 2016 at 2:50 pm

      The workshop was amazing! If you are thinking of going....do it! You won't regret it. Thanks so much Michelle!
      Reply
  6. Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

    September 23, 2016 at 4:29 pm

    This sounds wonderful and just look at all that gorgeous cheeeese!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      September 25, 2016 at 2:50 pm

      Isn't cheese always gorgeous ;) Thanks Kimberly!
      Reply
  7. Jessica | Novice Chef says

    September 25, 2016 at 10:35 am

    This looks so hearty! Can't wait to try this!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      September 25, 2016 at 2:45 pm

      It definitely is hearty! I hope you do get to try it...Thanks Jessica!
      Reply
  8. brandy | nutmeg nanny says

    September 25, 2016 at 10:37 am

    Caprese is one of my favorites! I love your twist on it!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      September 25, 2016 at 2:06 pm

      So glad I am not alone! Thanks Brandy!
      Reply
  9. Shay says

    October 25, 2016 at 9:51 am

    Hi! If I'm making this as a freezer meal, do I cook as directed and then freeze or stop before the baking and then thaw and bake as directed when I'm ready? I always mess that part up! Thanks!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 26, 2016 at 10:07 am

      Hi Shay! I have only baked it then froze rather than premaking, freezing then cooking. If you choose to do the first, simply thaw and place in oven at 350 degrees until warmed through. If you want to experiment, you could always try to make it, freeze, thaw then cook! I don't see the harm in that! Let me know if you do. Enjoy!
      Reply

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Hi There!

I'm Megan! A wife, mama and have a serious love of nutritious, time-saving meals with a knack for meal prep hacks. I crave simple, wholesome and balanced meals with a bit of humor on the side! Welcome to my kitchen. Read More…

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All Images and content are © With Salt and Wit. Please do not republish without prior consent. If you wish to share a recipe, please simply rewrite the directions, in your own words, with your own photos, and link back to the specific post to provide credit. If you have any questions or wish to republish anything, please contact me: megan {at} withsaltandwit {dot} com

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