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.
Michelle Ferrand
Nice! I love an easy hearty meal, little mess too!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes…hardly any mess at all…totally awesome.
Donna
How perfect are these! I love little individualized meals that are quick and easy. Sounds perfect for a busy night
Homemade & Yummy
Saves the day for sure.
April
Im sure this was delicious! I love mexican flavors and quinoa and how cute are those mugs!
Homemade & Yummy
The mugs are awesome right!!
Jennifer Shreckengost
My kiddos would love having their own personal dish, and this would also be a great option for my college kid.
Homemade & Yummy
YES…totally agree with you. These would be perfect.
Sharee Hill
This is so hearty and healthy! This looks lovely!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes it is hearty, healthy and so easy too.
Kimberly @ Berly's Kitchen
I tried cooking with quinoa several years ago, but I never could make it look as good as this.
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you give this a try. So easy.
Chrissy
This sounds amazing! I’m always looking for new gluten free recipes. And this recipe seems quick and easy… can’t wait to try!
Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY!!
The FoodOlic
This is perfect on a cold winter day! Thanks for sharing!
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks for stopping by…hope you give it a try.
The Food Hunter
This sounds wonderful I can’t wait to try it.
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you enjoy it as much we as we do. Easy, hearty and delicious.
Platter Talk
Great recipe for this time of year. I have a habit of adding corn and different beans to chili but adding quinoa is a GREAT idea. Thanks.
Homemade & Yummy
It is a easy, hearty and healthy dish.
Aish Das-Padihari
Who doesn’t like easy?? Love the fact that its such a simple dish to make.
Homemade & Yummy
Yup…easy and delicious.
Lynne Curry
What a fun idea to make this casserole individual servings!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes they are fun and so practical for these crazy busy days.
Heather Lawrence
I make a larger casserole of this but I have never thought to make mini ones before.
We normally add quinoa and rice to the dish and serve it with sliced avocados and diced tomatoes. Yummy!!
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you give it a try.
J @ Bless Her Heart Y'all
I love this idea of individual casseroles! My mind has been blown. Great idea for those families with kids or picky eaters. And love the quinoa as a main character! 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
Yes it really works well in all aspects.
Stephanie@ApplesforCJ
Yummm. I love easy and delicious. These would be so perfect anytime. Also loving the fact that the Mugs are oven proof. PInning this also 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much….it really is a fun, tasty and easy dish.