Cheesy Beef & Quinoa Bake is a simple, wholesome, easy-to-make casserole featuring just a handful of ingredients including ground beef, quinoa, Greek yogurt, and cheddar...perfect for picky eaters and busy weeknights!
Rinse the quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer under cold running water for a couple of minutes. In a medium saucepan set over high heat, stir together quinoa and beef broth. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover with a lid, and simmer until liquid is absorbed and grains are translucent and "spiraled out," about 15 mintues (do not overcook, as quinoa will soften a bit more in the oven). Cover quinoa and set aside.
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large pot set over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Stir in minced garlic and cook, while continuing to stir, until garlic is fragrant. Drain grease and season generously with salt and pepper.
Stir in cooked quinoa, Greek yogurt, and just enough milk to make the mixture creamy. Stir in 1 cup of grated cheddar and season with additional salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer mixture to a 3-quart baking dish and top with remaining cheddar.
Bake for 20 minutes or until hot, bubbly, and cheese is melted. Serve immediately.
Notes
Since this recipe includes pretty simple ingredients, don't skimp on the seasonings. Cooking the quinoa in beef broth (as opposed to water) gives it more flavor, as does using extra-sharp cheddar instead of mild. You'll also need to add enough salt and pepper to keep the casserole from tasting bland. If you prefer, you may use garlic salt in place of regular salt.
You may substitute brown rice for the quinoa. You may substitute sour cream for the yogurt.