Looking for a vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or laid-back weekends? This Tex-Mex Quinoa Casserole is a hearty, flavour-packed dish that brings the bold spices of Tex-Mex cuisine to your table in a nutritious way. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or meal-prepping for the week, this casserole is a winner. Loaded with protein-rich quinoa, black beans, sweetcorn, and a medley of zesty seasonings, it’s a one-pot wonder that delivers big on taste without a fuss. The best part? You can make it in a slow cooker for hands-free convenience or on the stovetop if you’re pressed for time.
Not only is this casserole packed with wholesome ingredients, but it’s also endlessly versatile. You can easily customize it to suit your preferences—add a kick of heat with jalapeños, mellow it out with creamy toppings like sour cream or avocado, or serve it as a main dish, side dish, or even a filling for wraps or tacos. Whether you’re cooking for a vegetarian family or need a comforting dish to please a mixed crowd, this Tex-Mex Quinoa Casserole is guaranteed to become a favourite in your rotation. Get ready to dig into a dish that’s equal parts healthy and delicious!
Tex-Mex Quinoa Casserole
Cooking Time:
Stove Top: 30 minutes
Slow Cooker: low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours
Servings: 6-8
Ingredients:
340g uncooked quinoa, rinsed
1 can (425g) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (425g) sweetcorn, drained
1 can (400g) diced tomatoes
1 can (283g) enchilada sauce
1 bell pepper, diced
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeño, seeded and diced (optional)
950ml vegetable or chicken stock
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings:
Shredded cheese
Diced avocado
Fresh coriander
Sour cream
Lime wedges
Diced tomatoes
Sliced spring onions
Stove Top Method
1. Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add a small amount of oil and sauté the diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the diced jalapeño if using.
2. Add the quinoa, black beans, sweetcorn, diced tomatoes, enchilada sauce, vegetable or chicken stock, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir well to combine.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, and cook until the quinoa is fully cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
4. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
5. Serve hot with your choice of toppings like shredded cheese, diced avocado, sour cream, or fresh coriander.
- Removable hob-proof aluminium pot – sear and stew in the same pot, doubles as a serving dish
- Shatter resistant cooking pot – Less likely to break if dropped or knocked
- Dishwasher proof pot and lid – Makes meal times even less hassle
- 6.5 Litre Capacity – Serves 10 starters or six main portions comfortably, ideal for families
- Three cooking settings – Ensure your meals are ready when you are
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Last update on 2025-03-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Method 2: Slow Cooker
1. Add the rinsed quinoa, black beans, sweetcorn, diced tomatoes, enchilada sauce, bell pepper, onion, garlic, jalapeño (if using), vegetable or chicken stock, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper to your slow cooker.
Stir everything together until well mixed.
2. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours, stirring halfway through if possible. Cook until the quinoa is fully cooked and the mixture has thickened.
3. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
4. Serve directly from the slow cooker with your favourite toppings like shredded cheese, diced avocado, lime wedges, or fresh coriander.
Cooking Tips:
Don’t skip rinsing the quinoa, as this removes the bitter coating (saponin).
For extra flavor, you can sauté the onions, garlic, and bell pepper before adding to the slow cooker.
If the mixture seems too dry during cooking, add an extra 1/2 cup of broth.
For a spicier version, add an extra jalapeño or some cayenne pepper.
This dish freezes well for up to 3 months.
Nutritional Benefits:
High in protein from quinoa and black beans
Rich in fiber
Good source of vitamins and minerals
Can be made vegetarian/vegan by using vegetable broth and avoiding dairy toppings
Storage:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Variations:
Add diced chicken or ground turkey for extra protein
Use different beans like pinto or kidney beans
Add diced sweet potatoes or butternut squash
Incorporate different colored bell peppers
Use fire-roasted tomatoes for extra smoky flavor
This recipe is perfect for meal prep and can be easily customized to suit your taste preferences!
- Homemade Cooking Made Easy: Make your family favourites with our Sear & Stew Slow Cooker, with 3 heat settings, you can sear and slow cook your food in just one pot, speeding up your cooking and cutting down on the washing-up
- 3.5L Capacity: Cook up a storm with our 3.5 litre Sear & Stew pot! Enjoy hassle-free family feasts or even just a simple single-person dinner for one at the end of a tiring day
- Sear on the Stove: The removable pot is hob proof, so you only have to use one pot from start to finish – sear and sauté any ingredients first for increased flavour, and then transfer to the slow cooker
![Crock-Pot Slow Cooker | Removable Easy-Clean Ceramic Bowl | 1.8 L Small Slow Cooker (Serves 1-2 People) | Energy Efficient | Black [CSC080]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41-40FfAmkL._SL160_.jpg)
- Perfect for casseroles, curries, and chilli, plus soups and even desserts
- 1.8 litre capacity – ideal for small households
- Removable stoneware ceramic bowl – ideal for serving at the table and dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning
- THREE COOKING SETTINGS: With 3 different temperature settings, high, low, and auto you can gently simmer your food over an extended period on low, or switch to high and cook in half the time
- 1.5L CAPACITY: Its round shape is ideal for meat joints, stew, curries and much more for all the family
- REMOVABLE/ POT: The pot is removable from the slow cooker making it easy and quick to clean, ready to use again
- VARIABLE COOKING CONTROL – This slow cooker features 3 different heat settings – Cook at a high or low temperature or even keep already cooked food warm
- INDICATOR LIGHT – This slow cooker has an inbuilt indicator light so that you can easily see what the status is of your slow cooker
- REMOVABLE STONEWARE POT – We built this slow cooker with convenience in mind – We’ve made the stoneware pot removable for easy and mess-free cleaning
- Dishwasher-safe Ceramic Pot: The 3.5L ceramic pot is easily removable and can be placed in the dishwasher, taking away the hassle from cleaning up after a hearty midweek meal
- 3 Heat Settings: Easily switch between your choice of low, medium & high settings for a range of cooking options Warming food for parties or creating a comforting family meal with ease
- Large Capacity: With ample space to hold all your ingredients, you’ll be free to create more elaborate dishes in one go – reducing time spent in the kitchen without compromising on quality cuisine
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Last update on 2025-03-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API