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Easy Mexican Quinoa Individual Mini Casseroles (Oven & Microwave)

*Updated* / By: 78 Comments

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Easy Mexican Quinoa Individual Mini Casseroles make a great dinner any night of the week. Mix everything up in individual mugs, bake or microwave, and dinner is ready. Meatless and gluten-free too!!

2 mini Mexican casseroles in mugs ready to eat.

This post is kindly sponsored by CorningWare and the #MealMug campaign. All recipes, photos, and opinions are my own.

Everyone seems to be going in different directions. Off to the mall, back to work, kids Christmas concerts. Sometimes we can have dinner together, and sometimes not.

Does this sound like your house this festive season? I wonder how we ever find time to eat, let alone make dinner. Need a quick and easy dinner option?

2 meal mugs with before cooking, ingredients in the background.

When CorningWare asked me to take part in the #MealMug campaign, I got really excited. Coming up with a quick and easy meal that you can make in the oven or microwave would be such fun. Everyone needs some extra time these days.

Can’t we all just eat together?

Nope, sometimes that is not possible. These Easy Mexican Quinoa Individual Mini Casseroles are perfect for families with different schedules. They can be made ahead of time. Since they are individual servings, each person can reheat  and eat. Dinner is ready when you are.

Overhead shot of mini casseroles with grated cheese and corn chips on the side.

Have you heard of Meal Mugs?

They are pretty awesome if you ask me. Durable, non-porous stoneware, that is oven, microwave, and freezer safe. They come with their own BPA free vented lid too (don’t put the lid in the oven). Of course dishwasher safe is a must in any busy house.

Meal Mugs make the perfect vessel for these casseroles. Everything is mixed up in the mugs. Baked in the oven or cooked in the microwave. Make enough to feed a family, or just one if that is all you need.

Close up shot of Mexican casseroles ready to eat.

Quinoa is such a great protein to work with. These mini casseroles are meatless and gluten-free too. Seriously it doesn’t get easier than this.

Rinse your quinoa and place it in the mug. Add water, black beans, corn kernels, salsa, and spices.

If you are baking these in the oven, cover with foil. Bake for about 40 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit for 5-10 minutes.

Microwave option is similar. I did reduced the amount of black beans and corn slightly to avoid spill over when cooking. Top with the vented lid and pop in the microwave. (Full directions in the recipe card below).

Overhead shot of mini casseroles before going into the microwave.

Ready to eat? Great. Top your little casserole with whatever you like. I sliced some fresh jalapeños along with some grated cheese. Add a bowl of corn chips, a beverage and ENJOY!!

Still have people on your Christmas list to buy for?

Meal Mugs would make an awesome Christmas gift. Can be used for whatever you put in a cup or bowl. Coffee, soup, oatmeal, cereal. Perfect for families and individuals alike. A great gift for those college/university students, or how about a practical/useful teacher gift!!

Purchase Meal Mugs in Canada at Amazon (#affiliate), Walmart, Loblaws, Home Outfitters, and London Drugs. World Kitchen ships to Canada as well.

Close up shot of Mexican quinoa casserole in a mug, with a spoon in it, ready to eat.

Whether you are sitting down to enjoy dinner together, or if everybody is running in different directions, these Easy Mexican Quinoa Individual Mini Casseroles fit into everyone’s schedule. Eat when the casseroles are ready, or reheat when you are. ENJOY!!

Easy Mexican Quinoa Individual Mini Casseroles long pin image.

If you like quinoa as much as we do, give Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers a try. Another great meatless dinner option.

Easy Mexican Quinoa Individual Mini Casseroles make a great dinner any night of the week. Mix everything up in the individual mugs, bake or microwave. Meatless & gluten-free too. #MealMugs #Sponsored | homemadeandyummy.com

Easy Mexican Quinoa Individual Mini Casseroles (Oven & Microwave)

Easy Mexican Quinoa Individual Mini Casseroles make a great dinner any night of the week. Mix everything up in the individual mugs, bake or microwave. Meatless & gluten-free too.
5 from 1 vote
Print Rate
Course: Casserole, Easy
Cuisine: Canadian
Keyword: Gluten Free Meatless
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 1
Author: Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

Ingredients

For each Individual Casserole:

  • 1/3 cup quinoa rinsed
  • 2/3 cups water
  • 1/2 cup salsa
  • 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels ***use 1/3 cup for microwave cooking***
  • 1/2 cup black beans *** use 1/3 cup for microwave cooking*** rinsed
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Grated cheese of your choice for garnish
  • Sliced fresh jalapeños for garnish

Instructions

Oven Method:

  • Preheat oven to 375º F.
  • Spray the inside of your Meal Mug with cooking spray.
  • Place the rinsed quinoa into the Meal Mug.
  • Add the water, salsa, seasonings, beans and corn.
  • Mix, and cover with foil.
  • Bake in oven for 35-40 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes (leave the foil on).
  • Remove foil, and give it a mix.
  • Garnish with your favourite toppings.
  • ENJOY!!

Microwave Method:

  • Place rinsed quinoa in Meal Mug.
  • Add water, salsa, seasonings, corn and beans NOTE: I have reduced the amount of corn/beans slightly to avoid spill over during cooking.
  • Stir, and place on the Meal Mug vented lid, with the vent OPEN.
  • Cook on HIGH for 3 minutes NOTE: My microwave is 1000 watts, so you may need to adjust your settings.
  • Remove from microwave, remove lid, stir, replace lid.
  • Cook on 80% setting for 2 minutes.
  • Remove from microwave, remove lid, stir, replace lid.
  • Cook on 80% for 3 minutes (watch for spill over at this point).
  • Remove from microwave, close the vent and let rest for 5-6 minutes (liquid needs time to absorb).
  • Remove lid and mix.
  • Garnish with your favourite toppings.
  • ENJOY!!

Notes

These casseroles can be made in advance and reheated when you are ready to eat.
Tried this recipe?Take a picture and tag @homemadeandyummy
Nutritional information on this site is generated via a plugin. I am not responsible for the accuracy of the plugin information.


Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marisa Franca @ All Our Way

    This is a great idea. I really get tired of leftovers and eating the same thing over and over again. Hubby always wants a little something extra along with his meat, veggie and salad. I’m perfectly content with that, although I do like quinoa, especially when it’s seasoned Mexican style. Will be making this soon.

    Reply

  25. Tara

    Those meal mug mini dishes are too cute! So perfect for soups or casseroles like this. Definitely need to add to the wishlist. Your casserole looks so delicious and love that it is gluten free.

    Reply

  26. April J Harris

    Corning Ware is such a trusted brand and I love how you have used their mugs here! Individual mini casseroles in mugs are wonderful, especially at this busy time of year. Love the recipe too – what a wonderful, warming, beautifully spiced meal!

    Reply

  32. Angela

    It is usually just my 8 year old and I for dinner, so I am loving this idea of meal mugs. Your recipe looks great. I love anything with quinoa.

    Reply

  35. Lisa J Lewis

    What a great idea for a casserole! Quinoa is so healthy for you! We love Mexican dishes, can’t wait to try out these recipes!

    Reply

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