A melty, cheesy, comforting vegetarian meal with plenty of protein. Cheesy Vegetarian Quinoa Enchilada Bake is an easy all-in-one dinner.

Cheesy Vegetarian Quinoa Enchilada Bake in a white bowl topped with avocados.

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Enchiladas are delicious. This is just fact. One of my very first published recipes was for Chicken Tomatillo Enchiladas.

Sometimes enchiladas feel like a lot of work.

I know! Objectively, they really aren’t! But my brain doesn’t always do great with executive function when it’s overwhelmed. Enter the the one-pot meal.*

Cheesy Vegetarian Quinoa Enchilada Bake in a metal pot, with a wooden spoon taking a scoop with stretchy cheese. — *Okay, ALMOST one pot. You do have to cook the quinoa.

It’s sort of a brain trick, and it’s also suited to where my patience lies. I can knock out chopping really quickly, and without a lot of thinking. Just put on a YouTube video and I can zone out, then throw everything in a pot. No meat to worry about, no rolling tortillas, etc, etc.

Melty, cheesy, savory and a little smoky. Warming, comforting and nourishing. Any questions?

Animated GIF of Bethenny Frankel with the text "Nada Enchilada"

It’s definitely not authentic (it’s not even enchiladas—just enchilada reminiscent), but you will want seconds anyway. Also, do try a more authentic recipe when you have the spoons.

A fork taking a scoop of Cheesy Vegetarian Quinoa Enchilada Bake in a white bowl topped with avocados.

How healthy can a cheesy enchilada bake really be?

I love that this dish is a full meal. I try to have a vegetable side with every dinner, but no need here. You’ve got zucchini, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes and corn right in there with the cheese.

Yeah, I know technically tomatoes and corn are fruit and peppers (capiscums) are berries. They still have vitamins and fiber. Don’t @ me.

It’s also a great source of protein. Most vegetarian protein sources on their own aren’t complete—that means they don’t have all the nine essential amino acids humans need. Eating a varied diet can solve that.

That’s why you’ll usually see black beans with rice. Together they make a complete protein. Quinoa is pretty close to being complete too. Here you’re getting those, plus protein from the cheese and vegetables.

If you already used the handy-dandy jump to recipe button, you may have noticed this recipe make a lot. Uh. Yeah.

Cheesy Vegetarian Quinoa Enchilada Bake is perfect for meal prep, or for a meal to bring to somebody. Friend having a baby? Ringer. Busy week? Ringer. If you just want it for dinner? Ringer—it freezes beautifully.

Ways to spice up your leftovers

You can easily customize Cheesy Vegetarian Quinoa Enchilada bake, and I love a customizable meal. I really encourage you to use what you have. Mushrooms, yellow squash, different peppers (I add jalapeños most of the time).

I also know some people just aren’t leftover people. I personally love them, but I also usually don’t eat them the exact same way every time. Here are a few ways you can spice things up:

Serve with fun hot sauces and toppings. I love adding avocado and cilantro as a base, but you could add different cheeses, mexican crema or sour cream, tabasco, cholula—endless options, really.
I know I said you don’t need a side, but what if this was the side? I’ve eaten it alongside chicken and it’s a great accompaniment.
Bake it into muffin cups with eggs on top.
Fry some hash browns and toss it with this right before taking it out of the pan.
Roll it up with some eggs for a breakfast burrito. I haven’t done this, but I just thought of it and I’m going to try it immediately!
Did you miss the tortilla part? Welllll good news. You could also roll your leftovers in some and top with enchilada sauce and more cheese! A beautiful solution.