• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Family Food on the Table
  • Recipe Index
  • Main Dishes
  • Baby Food
  • Subscribe
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Main Dishes
  • Baby Food
  • Subscribe
  • About
×
Home » Recipes » Vegetarian

Baked Quinoa Caprese Casserole

By: Kathryn Doherty | Last Updated: Mar 10, 2025 | Published: Aug 18, 2015
This post may contain affiliate links. See my 
disclosure policy.

Jump to Recipe
Pin

Baked quinoa Caprese casserole is a cheesy vegetarian baked quinoa with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil mixed in and served on top for a light, delicious dish!

Close up of a green casserole dish with a cheesy baked quinoa topped with sliced cherry tomatoes and fresh basil.


 

It’s back-to-school week for us.

The kiddos were all smiles and ready to start on Monday, M in the 4-year-old class and J in the “little 2s” class at their preschool.

I already knew and loved their teachers this year and I know it’s going to be a lot of fun, a lot of learning, a lot of growth for each of them.

I’m looking forward to a break in the heat and to settling back into our schedules.

I’ve got a few sweaters in my closet that I can’t wait to pull on and snuggle into on the first cool evenings, and I’m excited for crunchy, colorful fall leaves on the ground.

And of course the food!

All the fun fall dishes. Pumpkins, pumpkins and more pumpkins! We’re year-round pumpkin people, but I do a serious overdose in the fall.

A green rectangular casserole dish full of a cheesy baked quinoa with tomatoes and basil.

And even though it’s still August, I’m already starting to transition to fall.

Also, I look forward to more comforting casseroles and warm chili and slow cooker suppers.

I’ve got so many things planned for you! Be sure to sign up for my newsletter so you don’t miss any of the yumminess.

Starting with this baked quinoa Caprese casserole.

A cheesy baked quinoa casserole in a green baking dish.
Close up of a green rectangular casserole dish full of a cheesy baked quinoa with tomatoes and basil.
A scoop taken out of a quinoa casserole with tomatoes, basil and mozzarella in a green baking dish.

You didn’t think casseroles had to be heavy, did you? Not at all.

This is light and bright and warm and gooey and all the classic Caprese flavors.

Mozzarella, tomato and basil are baked in and also sprinkled on top for a double hit of flavor.

It makes for a good transitional casserole, if you will.

It’s light enough for spring and summer, but warm and cozy enough for fall and winter.

You just can’t go wrong with this on the menu.

Close up of a scoop taken out of a quinoa casserole with tomatoes, basil and mozzarella in a green baking dish.

You can also assemble it ahead and wait to bake it at dinnertime, so it makes a great dish for entertaining. Everyone’s gonna love this!

So here's to the new school year, the lovely, lingering days of summer and the fresh, fall breeze coming our way.

Enjoy!

XO,

Kathryn

Close up of a green casserole dish with a cheesy baked quinoa topped with sliced cherry tomatoes and fresh basil.
PRINT PIN SaveSaved!
No ratings yet

Baked Quinoa Caprese Casserole

Baked quinoa Caprese casserole is a cheesy vegetarian baked quinoa with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil mixed in and served on top for a light, delicious dish!
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Cook Time25 minutes mins
Total Time45 minutes mins
Yield: 4 -6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1-2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup basil leaves, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400. Spray a 2-3 quart baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Cook 1 cup quinoa, according to package directions.
  • Meanwhile, heat 1 teaspoon of the extra-virgin olive oil in a small saute pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and saute for 4-5 minutes, until softened. Add the minced garlic and saute for another 30 seconds. Turn off heat and let cool slightly.
  • Combine the onion mixture with the eggs, diced tomatoes and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Season with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. Once ready, add the quinoa and mix well.
  • Pour into the prepared baking dish and top with the remaining cup of mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and drizzle with the remaining 2 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil.
  • Bake at 400 for 25 minutes until browned and bubbly.
  • Sprinkle with fresh basil and halved cherry tomatoes (and extra cheese, if desired) and serve!

Notes

You can assemble this ahead of time and refrigerate. Either let it sit out for 20 minutes before baking (ie, as you preheat the oven) or add an extra 5 minutes or so to the cooking time.
Leftovers make a killer lunch - it's even good cold!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 327kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 126mg | Sodium: 817mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or follow me on Instagram @familyfoodonthetable and tag me in your photo!
Pin

More Vegetarian

  • Close up of a wooden spoon resting in a large bowl of Asian style coleslaw with peanuts and ramen.
    Crunchy Asian Coleslaw with Ramen
  • Mediterranean Orzo Salad
  • Close up of a small spatula scooping up roasted parsnips from a sheet pan.
    Roasted Parsnips
  • Close up of a bowl of chickpea cookie dough with chocolate chips on top and to the side.
    Healthy Cookie Dough

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary

    August 18, 2015 at 6:56 pm

    Kathryn, this casserole looks perfect! Love the lightness of the quinoa paired with the heartiness of the cheese! I don't have to go back to school (thank you lord!), but I'd love coming home to this! Yummmm! Cheers and good luck to the little ones in the new school year! <3

    Reply
  2. Kathryn

    August 18, 2015 at 9:47 pm

    Thanks Cheyanne! It really is a good combination - filling but light, with layers of fresh flavors. The kiddos are loving their new teachers and classrooms; I think it's gonna be a great year! XO

    Reply
  3. Lauren @ Create Bake Make

    August 27, 2015 at 6:20 am

    I love that this recipe is so light! The warmer weather is just starting to arrive here and this would be the perfect meal as we transition to summer. Thanks so much for linking up with us for Fabulous Foodie Fridays!

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      August 27, 2015 at 8:22 pm

      Yes, this will be a warm welcome to spring for you! Thanks for hosting Lauren!

      Reply
  4. Dannielle @ Zamamabakes

    August 27, 2015 at 7:20 am

    I'm loving the sounds of this dish Kathryn especially the fact that it uses Quinoa instead of carbolicious pasta, I'm going to have to give it a whirl. I can see this little treasure and piece of baked salmon sitting on my dinner plate in the very near future.
    Great post 😉

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      August 27, 2015 at 8:24 pm

      Thanks, Dannielle! This quinoa casserole and salmon would be a seriously delicious dinner! Plus awesomely healthy 🙂 Now I know what I'm doing tomorrow night 😉 Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  5. Diane

    August 27, 2015 at 10:15 pm

    this recipe sounds delicious! We love quinoa. this casserole is going on our table soon! #FoodieFriDIY

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      August 28, 2015 at 8:54 am

      Thanks Diane! Hope your family enjoys it; it's a favorite around here!

      Reply
  6. Amy @ Thoroughly Nourished Life

    August 27, 2015 at 10:30 pm

    We're going through the opposite end of the year shift here! I can't wait for the hot days of summer and all the fresh fruit! I know this will be a hit with our family any time of the year! All those delicious ingredients are making me hungry!

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      August 28, 2015 at 8:54 am

      Sending warm thoughts your way, Amy! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Meet Kathryn

Hi there! I’m Kathryn Doherty, a cookbook author, mom of two, and devoted food and home cooking nut. I’ve got lots of easy recipes to help you get delicious food on the table for your family!

More about me →

Popular Recipes

  • A cream cheese chicken and mushroom mixture in a large pan with a wooden spoon resting in it.
    Easy Cream Cheese Chicken
  • Close up of honey garlic chicken served in a blue and white bowl with sliced green onions on top.
    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
  • Close up of a whole roasted chicken on a large white serving platter with veggies and fresh parsley to the side.
    Easy Whole Roasted Chicken
  • Close up of a fork resting in a bowl of rice and curried ground turkey with peas.
    Curry Ground Turkey with Rice and Peas
  • Close up of a wooden spoon drizzling pan gravy over seared pork chops.
    Easy Skillet Pork Chops with Gravy
  • Close up of a dark skillet with a saucy honey garlic chicken dish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions sprinkled on top.
    15-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken

Footer

↑back to top

About

  • Contact
  • Work With Me

Newsletter

  • Sign up for emails!

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright
  • Accessibility

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Family Food on the Table

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required