Mini Mexican Quinoa 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!!
Casseroles are the easiest comfort food recipes. Quinoa is a healthy choice for a meat-free meal. Have you tried my quinoa casserole? A twist on the classic tuna noodle dish.
Easy one-pot Mexican quinoa is just what you need for busy weeknights. Quick and flavourful personal-sized casseroles packed with protein and a symphony of textures and spices.
If you love burrito bowls, you need to give this vegetarian burrito a try. Are you a lasagna lover? This meatless Mexican lasagna is easy to make and so delicious.
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.
These tiny and tasty vegetarian 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.
One-Pot Mexican Quinoa Ingredients
Easy to find ingredients that most people have in their pantry and freezer.
- Quinoa
- Water
- Salsa
- Frozen corn
- Black beans
- Cheese
- Spices (cumin, paprika, salt and pepper)
- Jalapenos (optional)
Preparing Mini Mexican Quinoa Casseroles
These can be made in the oven, or microwave. Full instructions are in the recipe card.
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.
The microwave option is similar. I did reduce the amount of black beans and corn slightly to avoid spillover when cooking.
Top your little casserole with whatever you like. I sliced some fresh jalapeños along with some grated cheese.
Suggestions/Recipe Tips
- These can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Switch up the spice blend, and use any kind of cheese that you like.
- Use a large oversized mug, it makes the perfect individual casserole portion.
- Black beans can be swapped out for kidney beans or even chickpeas.
- Crushed-up corn chips are a great garnish.
- Need a side dish? Try these guacamole cups.
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Does Quinoa Taste Like Rice?
It has a similar taste to brown rice, slightly nutty, but the texture is much more delicate. Perfect for easy meatless dinner options, and budget-friendly too.
If you like easy quinoa recipes as much as we do, give these a try:
Easy Mexican Quinoa Mini Casseroles
Ingredients
For each Individual Casserole:
- ⅓ cup quinoa rinsed
- ⅔ cup water
- ½ cup salsa
- ½ cup frozen corn kernels ***use ⅓ cup for microwave cooking***
- ½ cup black beans rinsed *** use ⅓ cup for microwave cooking***
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons Grated cheese for garnish
- Sliced fresh jalapeños for garnish
Instructions
Oven Method:
- Preheat oven to 375º F.
- Spray the inside of your mug/bowl with cooking spray.
- Place the rinsed quinoa into the bowl/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.
Microwave Method:
- Place rinsed quinoa in bowl/mug.
- Add water, salsa, seasonings, corn and beans NOTE: I have reduced the amount of corn/beans slightly to avoid spillover during cooking.
- Stir, and cover with wax paper
- Cook on HIGH for 3 minutes NOTE: My microwave is 1000 watts, so you may need to adjust your settings.
- Remove from microwave, remove wax paper, stir, replace paper.
- Cook on 80% setting for 2 minutes.
- Remove from microwave, remove paper, stir, replace the paper.
- Cook on 80% for 3 minutes (watch for spill over at this point).
- Remove from microwave, and let rest for 5-6 minutes (liquid needs time to absorb).
- Remove paper and mix.
- Garnish with your favourite toppings.
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.
Homemade & Yummy
The #MealMugs are great, perfect for so many things.
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!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes CorningWare has been around for a long time. These little mugs are fun to use.
Lisa @ garlicandzest.com
I’ve never cooked in a mug before, but with those corning ware mugs – it makes sense! And hello??? That looks fantastic!
Homemade & Yummy
They are perfect, especially if everyone can’t eat at the same time. Reheat and eat when you are ready.
Dannii
We often make this and it’s some delicious healthy comfort food. I love all the colours.
Homemade & Yummy
Hearty, delicious…and so easy to make.
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry
This looks super easy and healthy too, what a great idea and I bet so tasty
Homemade & Yummy
Very tasty, easy and healthy. Fun little dish for everyone to enjoy.
Bree
Very easy to make. They sound great!
Homemade & Yummy
Easy and delicious.
Jennifer
That recipe looks so good and those meal mugs look AWESOME! They look like ramikins but with handles. So awesome.
Homemade & Yummy
Yes they are great.
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.
Homemade & Yummy
It is an easy and delicious meal.
Nicole Aguilar
These are perfect for vegetarian/vegan meal prep! And I love those little dishes!
Homemade & Yummy
These are so easy to whip up. Perfect for 1 or a family.
Sharon @ Savormania
These are so cute and such a great vegetarian idea! Can’t wait to give them a try.
Homemade & Yummy
They are easy and delicious.
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!
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you give it a try.
Keikilani
These look so delicious! I love the individual mugs! So practical for busy nights.
Homemade & Yummy
Yes they do come in very handy, especially this time of year.
Rebecca Bryant
What a warm and delicious meal. I do love me some good soup or porridge when cold.
Homemade & Yummy
It is easy and delicious…filling and hearty too.
Fred
Looks really delish and spicy… I was sold when I saw the Jalapenos. Thanks for sharing Gloria!
Homemade & Yummy
Yup…hubby loves them too.
Warm Cocotte
Thanks for sharing darling! I’m at home alone and this recipe sounds perfect for me at the moment!
Wish you a wonderful rest of the week!
Gloria
Homemade & Yummy
Aww…thanks so much. Yes this is perfect to make just for yourself too.