Ingredients
Scale
Creating this dish requires a few simple ingredients that you might already have in your pantry. I always like to keep things straightforward, just as Mama Lou taught me. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground turkey or chicken
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 cups diced tomatoes
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 2 cups cooked quinoa
- 1 cup chopped spinach
- 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
Feel free to swap out the ground turkey for lentils to keep it vegetarian. The coconut milk can also be substituted with almond milk if preferred.
Instructions
Now, let’s get to the fun part—cooking! Follow these steps to create a dish that would make Mama Lou proud:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Once heated, add the onions and garlic, sautéing until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the ground turkey or chicken, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Season the meat with salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika, stirring well to combine.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes and vegetable broth. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 10 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.
- Stir in the coconut milk, cooked quinoa, spinach, and nutritional yeast. Mix until everything is well incorporated.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the top is slightly golden and the casserole is bubbling.
- Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. This was always the hardest part for Ouma and me, as the delicious smells tested our patience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International