Quinoa Pizza Casserole

This casserole is a perfect way to introduce kids to quinoa.  It’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters 

Photo Courtesy of First Kitchen

Ingredients:

3 c. vegetable stock

1 1/2 c. quinoa

8 oz. button mushrooms, sliced

1 green bell pepper, diced (optional)

1 red bell pepper, diced (optional)

1/2 onion, diced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 15 oz. can tomato sauce (or 2 cups pasta sauce)

1 c. 2% Small Curd Cottage Cheese

1/2 c. shredded mozzarella, divided

1/4 c. grated parmesan, divided

1 tbsp. dried basil

1 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

Pepperoni (optional)

Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350*.  Bring stock to a boil in a pot.  Rinse quinoa under running water for a minute, until no longer murky. Add quinoa to vegetable stock, stir and turn to simmer.  Cook for 15-18 minutes, until stock is absorbed, stirring every few minutes.  Heat a saute' pan over medium heat, add 1 tbsp. olive oil.  Add mushrooms, peppers, onion and garlic, stir and saute' for 10 minutes, until liquid is cooked out and vegetables begin to caramelize.  Remove from heat.  When quinoa is cooked, add tomato sauce, cottage cheese, half of the mozzarella and parmesan, basil, oregano, fennel, crushed red pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper to taste.  Stir well, add vegetables from pan and stir well.  Pour into a casserole dish, sprinkle with remaining cheese and pepperoni slices. Place in the oven and bake for 30-45 minutes, until cheese is golden and casserole is bubbly.

Grocery Item	Weekly Sale at Econo Foods (3/10/2013-3/16/2013)
Tomato Sauce	Ragu Pasta Sauce (24 oz.) $0.99 with coupon Nash Brothers Trading Company Organic Pasta Sauce on Sale 2/$5.00
Cheese	Our Family Shredded Cheese (16 oz.) on sale for $3.99
Bell Peppers	Green Bell Peppers on sale 2 for $3.00
Onions	Yellow Onions (3 lb. bag) on sale for $2.49

Grocery Item	Weekly Sale at Cub Foods (3/10/2013-3/16/2013)
Tomato Sauce	Ragu Pasta Sauce (24 oz.) on sale for $1.49 Classico Pasta Sauce (24 oz.) on sale for 2 for $4.00
Shredded Cheese	Essential Everyday Shredded Cheese (6-8 oz) on sale 2 for $5.00.  Crystal Farms Shredded Cheese (32 oz.) on sale for $9.99