One Pan Cheeseburger Quinoa Casserole with Hidden Fiber Boost
This cheeseburger inspired one pan casserole with quinoa is a cozy dinner with a protein and fiber boost from this sneaky hidden lentil trick. The lentils are not noticeable - they blend right in and make this casserole extra hearty and filling without adding more meat. It has all the familiar flavors from the ground beef, cheddar cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, and burger sauce - but it’s a healthier option that cooks in a baking dish. {Gluten-Free Friendly / Dairy-Free Friendly}
Servings 6 servings
Calories 444kcal
Ingredients
- 16 ounces ground beef 85/20 recommended
- 1 cup pre-rinsed raw quinoa
- 1 large white onion, diced small
- 14.5 ounce can of petite diced tomatoes
- 15.5 ounce can of lentils, drained and rinsed sub with 2 cups cooked
- 2 bell peppers, diced small
- 1-1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese or preferred cheese pepper jack would be good
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
For the Broth Mixture
- 1½ cups beef bone broth or preferred liquid
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon pickle juice
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
Optional (But Recommended) Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced cherry tomatoes
- Sliced pickles
- Sesame seeds
- Greek Yogurt Big Mac Sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and dice the bell peppers into small pieces.
- Cook ground beef, onion, and bell peppers in a skillet until beef is browned and peppers are slightly softened. Season with salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder and pepper.
- Stir in lentils and mash them into the beef mixture using a potato masher.
- Add diced tomatoes with juices.
- In a bowl, whisk together broth, ketchup, Dijon, Worcestershire, garlic powder, onion powder, and optional pickle juice.
- Add quinoa to a greased 9x13 baking dish.
- Add beef/lentil mixture evenly over the casserole dish.Pour the broth/sauce mixture slowly and evenly over the whole casserole, especially around the edges and center, then gently press down with a spatula.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
- Remove foil, then sprinkle with cheese so the entire top of the casserole is covered and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes. Then, broil on high for about two minutes to get the crustly cheesy topping!
- Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving – this helps it thicken and set. Top with your favorite toppings – shredded lettuce, fresh tomatoes, pickles and special sauce!
Notes
Nutritional information is just an estimation. Sodium content will vary significantly depending on individual ingredients and preparation. Calculated with 90/10 lean ground beef.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze (without toppings) for up to 3 months.
- Serve fresh lettuce and tomatoes when ready to consume and heat up the casserole prior to adding toppings for best results.
- Prep the beef mixture ahead of time so assembly is even faster on those busy nights!
Nutrition
Calories: 444kcal | Carbohydrates: 46.7g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 9.8g | Sodium: 700mg | Fiber: 9.7g | Sugar: 6.1g