Italian Baked Quinoa with Fresh Tomato Topping

By angelahon

Italian Baked Quinoa with Fresh Tomato Topping

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 lb ground beef or vegan beef substitute (I like Beyond Meat)
• 2 - 24 ounce jars tomato sauce
• 14.5 ounces fire roasted tomatoes
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 12 ounces mozzarella, shredded or Daiya shreds
• 6 cups cooked quinoa
• 12 ounces provolone cheese, sliced or Daiya mozzarella shreds
• Fresh Tomato Topping
• 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Preparation

Step 1

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13 x 9 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
2.Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and pepper and cook for 8 minutes. Add ground beef or beef substitute and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain if necessary. Add tomato sauce, tomatoes, vinegar, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, crushed red pepper and salt. Reduce heat to medium low and cook for 15 minutes.
3.Place mozzarella and quinoa in a large bowl and toss with sauce. Transfer to prepared dish and top with provolone.
4.Bake for 25 minutes, until bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes and then top with Fresh Tomato Topping.
5.Meanwhile, To make the Fresh Tomato Topping, combine tomatoes, basil, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, sea salt and ground black pepper and allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes