Veggie Quinoa Bake

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 75 min
Servings: 8
Yield: 8 servings

Description

Quinoa, black beans, grilled corn, and spicy green salsa bake up into this vegetarian quinoa bake that makes enough for lunches all week.

Ingredients

3/4 cup dry black beans
4 cups water
2 cups tri-colored quinoa
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 red onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pinch cumin
1 1/2 cups frozen grilled corn (such as Trader Joe's®)
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese, divided
3/4 cup spicy green salsa, or more to taste
1 tablespoon tomato paste
3/4 cup hot water
2 scallions, thinly sliced

Directions

1 Place black beans in a multi-functional pressure cooker. Add enough water to cover by a few inches. Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 20 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
2 Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 10 minutes. Unlock and remove lid. Drain black beans and rinse out the pot.
3 Combine 4 cups water and quinoa in the pressure cooker pot. Close and lock the lid. Select Brown Rice function and set timer for 8 minutes. Allow 5 to 10 minutes for pressure to build.
4 Release pressure carefully using the quick-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove lid. Remove pot carefully using oven mitts, fluff quinoa with a fork, and let cool.
5 Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
6 Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, red bell pepper, garlic, and cumin; cook and stir until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Stir in corn until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup cilantro. Season with salt and pepper.
7 Stir black beans, onion mixture, 1 cup Colby Jack cheese, and green salsa into the pot of quinoa. Spread mixture in a large baking dish.
8 Dissolve tomato paste in 3/4 cup hot water. Drizzle over the quinoa mixture. Sprinkle remaining Colby Jack cheese evenly over the top.
9 Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, about 25 minutes. Garnish with remaining cilantro and scallions.