Creamy Caprese Quinoa Bake

This quinoa recipe is a great one whether you have tried quinoa before or not. It is easy to prepare and tastes so delicious. The fresh basil, the sweet tomatoes, the gooey cheese all combined with healthy quinoa. You just can't go wrong with this dish.

Creamy Caprese Quinoa Bake

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked quiona
• 1 cup pasta sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella, divided
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup packed basil leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350º F. Spray a 9x9 square baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
2. In a large saucepan, over low heat, heat the tomato sauce and tomato paste. Once warm stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes and pepper.
3. Remove from heat and stir in the quinoa.
4. Fold in 1/2 cup of mozzarella, 1/2 cup of tomatoes.
5. Cut 6 of the basil leaves into ribbons and add them.
6. Put quinoa mixture into prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella and tomatoes.
7. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, then turn the broiler on and broil for 1 to 2 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
8. While the quinoa is baking, cut the remaining basil leaves into ribbons.
9. Remove from the oven, top with basil and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!!!

Serves: 4
Calories: 344
Total Fat: 10.1g
   Saturated: 5.9g
   Polyunsaturated: 0g
   Monounsaturated: 0g
   Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 25.1mg
Sodium: 382.4mg
Potassium: 485.9mg
Total Carbs: 41.4g
   Dietary Fiber: 5.6g
   Sugars: 2.7g
Protein: 19.1g
Vitamin A: 15.1%
Vitamin C: 4.9%
Calcium: 35.1%
Iron: 24.7%
*The nutritional information will vary slightly depending on the brands you use.
*Adapted from Half Baked Harvest.