Ingredients
– 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa – Builds the quinoa crust as it bakes inside the casserole
– 8 eggs – Provides structure and protein so the bake sets cleanly
– 1 1/4 cups milk – Keeps the egg mixture creamy and helps quinoa cook evenly
– 1 tablespoon chopped garlic – Adds savory, aromatic flavor
– 1 teaspoon chopped thyme – Brings a warm, herby taste that works with spinach
– 1/2 teaspoon salt – Balances flavors
– 1/2 teaspoon pepper – Adds gentle heat and depth
– 2 cups packed baby spinach, roughly chopped – Adds nutrients and a pop of green
– 1 cup finely shredded cheese (such as Emmenthaler or preferred kind) – Creates the golden, crisp top
– Butter, margarine, or cooking spray for greasing the pan – Prevents sticking so you can slice easily
Instructions
1-First Step: Preheat your oven to 350°F. While it warms up, set out an 8 x 8 baking dish and get your ingredients ready.
2-Second Step: Grease the baking dish generously with cooking spray or butter or margarine. This helps prevent sticking, especially when you slice the baked quinoa egg bake later.
3-Third Step: Rinse the quinoa thoroughly using a fine strainer and drain well. This simple step helps remove bitterness so your Quinoa Spinach Egg Bake tastes clean.
4-Fourth Step: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, chopped garlic, chopped thyme, salt, pepper, and the rinsed quinoa. Mix until everything looks evenly combined.
5-Fifth Step: Stir in the roughly chopped baby spinach. If your spinach is wet from washing, squeeze it gently so the bake doesn’t get watery.
6-Sixth Step: Pour the mixture into the prepared dish. Spread it out so it reaches the corners evenly.
7-Seventh Step: Cover the dish tightly with foil. Then gently shake the dish to help quinoa settle evenly across the pan. This is a small step that makes a big difference for texture.
8-Eighth Step: Bake for about 45 minutes, until the mixture is just set. If you’re adapting for different tastes, this is also the point where you could add pre-cooked add-ins next time, like sautéed mushrooms.
9-Ninth Step: Remove the foil. Sprinkle cheese evenly over the top, then bake uncovered until golden brown and crisp, about 10 to 15 minutes.
10-Final Step: Allow the Quinoa Spinach Egg Bake to cool briefly before slicing and serving. A short rest helps everything firm up so your pieces stay intact.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🌾 No need to pre-cook quinoa – it absorbs liquid perfectly during baking for fluffy texture.
🥬 Customize with mushrooms, ham, or salsa; spinach hides easily for picky eaters.
🧀 Watch closely during final bake to avoid over-browning cheese; cool slightly for clean slices.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of bake
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 210mg