Cozy Evening Vegan Casserole (Printable)
Hearty blend of lentils, quinoa, and vegetables baked with savory herbs and a crispy topping.
# List of ingredients:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 medium carrots, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
→ Protein & Grains
08 - 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed
09 - 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
→ Liquids
10 - 3 cups vegetable broth
11 - 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, with juices
→ Seasonings & Herbs
12 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
13 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
16 - 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
17 - 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional)
→ Topping
18 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
19 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
20 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
# Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F.
02 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and red bell pepper. Sauté for 6-8 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in the lentils and quinoa; cook for 1 minute.
04 - Add the vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Bring to a simmer, then cook for 10 minutes.
05 - Stir in the spinach and nutritional yeast. Simmer for 2 minutes, then transfer the mixture to a lightly greased 9x13-inch casserole dish.
06 - In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
07 - Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes, or until the top is golden and the casserole is bubbling.
08 - Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one skillet before hitting the oven, meaning minimal cleanup and maximum flavor development
- The lentils and quinoa create a complete protein while staying light enough that you will want seconds
- This tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or lazy lunches
02 -
- I learned the hard way that skipping the 10 minute rest period results in a runny casserole that does not hold together on the plate
- The breadcrumbs can go from perfectly golden to burnt very quickly, so start checking at the 12 minute mark
- If your casserole seems too thick before baking, add another half cup of broth as the quinoa will continue absorbing liquid
03 -
- Rinse your quinoa thoroughly until the water runs clear, otherwise the natural coating can make the final dish taste bitter
- For extra umami flavor, add a tablespoon of soy sauce or tamari along with the vegetable broth