This Vegetarian Pizza Quinoa Casserole is the tastiest, easiest, healthiest family dinner recipe to lure your kiddos into eating their veg!
As a busy mama, I’m all about one-pan and one-pot meals. I grew up eating casseroles because my mom, like most working parents, couldn’t be bothered cooking everything separately. Now I can totally relate!
Which is why this pizza casserole recipe with quinoa comes in clutch on those busy weeknights when I just can’t be bothered to spend hours in the kitchen. This is also such an easy recipe because you can basically just make it using whatever goodies you already have in your fridge.
So If you and your kiddos love all things pizza, you’re going to LOVE this pizza-inspired casserole recipe.
Table of contents
Why This Recipe Works
This easy pizza casserole recipe with quinoa is made for pizza-lovers and busy parents who need to get dinner on the table stat! But here are a few more reasons why you’re going to love this recipe:
- Vegetarian
- Gluten free
- Kid friendly
- High in protein and fibre
- Only requires 10 ingredients
- Takes 35 minutes to prepare
Key Ingredients
Quinoa – quinoa is the grain of choice for this easy pizza casserole recipe as it is high in fibre and protein. It is also relatively easy to prepare! But if you don’t have quinoa on hand, feel free to use whatever grain you prefer.
Cheese – for this easy pizza casserole we are using a combo of mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Don’t forget to admire the glorious cheese pull before you dig in!
Pasta Sauce – Along with the cheese, pasta sauce is an obvious must to make this pizza-themed. Be sure to look for a low-sodium variety.
Veggies – While there is totally room to explore in this recipe and use up whatever veggies you have on hand OR whatever veggies you usually get on your pizza, we opt for mushroom, bell peppers, and olives.
How to Make This Recipe
Step 1: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat and add in the olive oil. Add the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened, then add in the garlic and oregano. Saute for 30 seconds. Add in the bell peppers and mushrooms and cook until softened and lightly browned.
Step 2: Transfer the cooked vegetables to a large bowl and add in the olives, quinoa, sauce, 1 cup of mozzarella, parmesan and salt and pepper, to taste.
Step 3: Pack into the baking dish and top with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.
Step 4: Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown around the edges and bubbling. Top with basil leaves, if desired, as garnish.
Expert Tips
This pizza casserole recipe is super flexible and modifiable for all dietary preferences. If you’re vegan, you can easily use vegan cheese. If you’re not vegetarian, you can throw some pepperoni, chicken or sausage into the mix.
Recipe FAQs
This pizza casserole recipe lasts in the fridge for about 3-4 days.
Totally, I would just omit the cheese before freezing it and then add the cheese before you plan on eating it when it’s thawed
You can use rice or pasta.
Yes you can omit the quinoa and add more ground meat and veggies to make it more satiating.
More Recipes You Might Like
If you need more pizza-themed recipes in your life, then you’re going to love these recipes on the blog!
Now I want to know, what are your favourite pizza toppings?
Pizza Casserole Recipe with Quinoa | Easy Vegan Dish
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 onion diced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 lb mushrooms thinly sliced
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper sliced and cut in half
- 1/2 orange bell pepper sliced and cut in half
- 1/2 red bell pepper sliced and cut in half
- 1/4 cup black olives sliced
- 3 1/2 cups cooked quinoa about 1 cup raw
- 1 ½ cup tomato pasta sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F and lightly grease a 9 inch square dish.
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat and add in the olive oil. Add the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened, then add in the garlic and oregano. Saute for 30 seconds.
- Add in the bell peppers and mushrooms and cook until softened and lightly browned.
- Transfer the cooked vegetables to a large bowl and add in the olives, quinoa, sauce, 1 cup of mozzarella, parmesan and salt and pepper, to taste.
- Pack into the baking dish and top with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown around the edges and bubbling. Top with basil leaves, if desired, as garnish.
Video
Nutrition
Have you tried making easy pizza casserole? Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!
Abbey Sharp is a Registered Dietitian (RD), regulated by the Ontario College of Dietitians. She is a mom, YouTuber, Blogger, award winning cookbook author, media coach specializing in food and nutrition influencers, and a frequent contributor to national publications like Healthline and on national broadcast TV shows.
Kimberly says
I just asked this with rice. It was soo delicious. Had all the main flavours of a pizza. My fiancé loved it and have multiple servicing. Next time I might add grated zucchini or spinach leaves for some extra veggies.
Ingrid Parker says
It looks delicious; I’ll be making this. What are the nutrition details?
Abbey Sharp says
Hi Ingrid. Thanks for letting us know! The nutrition facts are now available for the recipe 🙂 Hope you enjoy!
Vicki says
Hi – i don’t have any quinoa – can i use lentils instead or ?? Can you suggest something else?
Thank you so much.
V
Abbey Sharp says
ive never tried lentils but rice is an easy alternative!
MYRNA KING says
COULD YOU MAKE THIS CASSEROLE AND FREEZE TO BAKE LATER ?
Abbey Sharp says
Totally, I would just omit the cheese before freezing it and then add the cheese before you plan on eating it when it’s thawed
Karli says
This looks amazing! My husband grabbed cous cous instead of quina would that still work? Haha
Abbey Sharp says
Yes you can try that
Бізнес ідеї says
Super!!!
Mikki says
What a great way to do pizza a different way. I could totally switch out the cheese for some non-dairy cheese. Will have to try this out!
Abbey Sharp says
Yes! Works amazing. Enjoy Mikki 🙂
Sylvie says
Délicieux 😋
Jessica @Small Bites by Jessica says
What a great idea! I’m sure my two girls would love this!
Abbey Sharp says
Totally! What kids don’t like pizza!
Rebecca says
I LOVE all these flavors! This looks easy & delicious
Abbey Sharp says
So great! Thanks Rebecca 🙂
Emily says
Putting this on the list of “things to cook with my boyfriend.” We love pizza but like to do it in a healthier way (most times 😉 )
Abbey Sharp says
Yes! A nice lighter version! Enjoy Emily 🙂
Rachel says
I love creative ways to make and devour quinoa. I’ll have to make this, I think it would be a hit with my kids, too!
Abbey Sharp says
A total crowd pleaser 🙂
Chrissy @ Snacking in Sneakers says
You had me at pizza! 😉 This looks amazing and I love the combo of casserole, quinoa, and pizza flavors. YUM.
Abbey Sharp says
All the best things in one! Can’t go wrong! Thanks Chrissy!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
This looks delicious!! I’d put peppers, mushrooms, pepperoni and basil in mine 🙂
Abbey Sharp says
Mmm awesome combo!
Kelly says
Oooo, so many great ingredients in one dish. Looks like a definite crowd pleaser!
Abbey Sharp says
Totally! Thanks Kelly 🙂
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
right up my alley I would love this for dinner!
Abbey Sharp says
Amazing! You’ll love it 😉