Smoked Chicken Sausage and Quinoa Casserole Recipe
This hearty Quinoa Casserole combines nutty quinoa with smoked chicken sausage, fresh vegetables, and sharp cheddar cheese for a comforting and flavorful baked dish perfect for a family meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Quinoa Base
- 1 ½ cups water
- ¾ cup white quinoa
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
Sausage and Vegetables
- 14 ounces smoked chicken sausage, diced
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ green bell pepper, diced
- ¼ cup onion, diced
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 apple, diced (about 1 cup)
- 14 ounces fire roasted diced tomatoes
Dairy and Toppings
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions
- Cook the Quinoa: Bring 1 ½ cups of water and ¼ teaspoon salt to a boil in a pot. Add the quinoa and return to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Once cooked, turn off the heat, stir the quinoa, cover, and let it sit for another 15 minutes. Fluff the quinoa with a spatula and set aside.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook the Sausage and Vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the diced smoked chicken sausage and cook until it begins to brown. Then add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook for 5-8 minutes until the onions become translucent, stirring occasionally.
- Add Apples and Tomatoes: Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the diced apples. Then add the fire roasted diced tomatoes, garlic salt, 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese, and milk. Stir well to combine and, if necessary, return to low heat, cooking gently until the cheese melts fully and the mixture is well incorporated.
- Combine with Quinoa: Add the cooked and fluffed quinoa into the skillet mixture and stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the mixture in the skillet.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve warm. Optionally, garnish with fresh parsley for added color and flavor.
Notes
- Use a cast iron skillet for even cooking and easy transfer from stove to oven.
- Make sure to fluff the quinoa after cooking to avoid clumping in the casserole.
- Adjust the amount of garlic salt to taste, especially if using salted sausage.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the sausage with a plant-based alternative or extra vegetables.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated; add a splash of milk when reheating to keep the casserole moist.
