What are your go-to meals? You know, the ones that you keep coming back to. The ones for which you usually have the ingredients stocked in your kitchen. The ones that you make when you’re like “oh shoot, I forgot to plan something for dinner and it’s 5:00 already!”
This is one of mine.
I’m surprised I haven’t blogged about this recipe before. I guess I don’t really think about it when I’m planning my posts since it’s not “new” to me. I forget that this will be new to you!
When it comes to getting started with meal planning, I recommend to people that they write out a list of a few recipes that can be made at a moment’s notice. Basically, I tell people to plan to fail on their meal planning. Because it inevitably happens. Things don’t always go according to plan (this is a lesson God has been teaching me lately. Well, more like the lesson is things don’t always go according to my plan).
So when you plan to keep a backup meal in the house, and you find yourself left with no plan for dinner, you still have something you can make! You don’t have to quickly call in for delivery.
This recipe mainly relies on frozen and pantry basics. The onions, garlic, and peppers are fresh but those are usually items I keep in my house anyway. In a pinch, they could be omitted and the dish would still be delicious!
Why It’s A Smart Choice
This is a well balanced vegetarian or vegan meal. Those who follow vegetarian and vegan diets are at a higher risk of iron deficiency since the iron from plants is not as easily absorbed by the body as the iron from meat is. There are ways to maximize iron absorption though. One of which is to pair a high iron food with a food high in vitamin C. In this meal, the iron from the beans and the quinoa is paired with the vitamin C from the red pepper.
If you give this recipe a go, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, or snap a photo and tag it with #smartnutritionrecipes on Instagram! I’d love to see your creations! Knowing someone has enjoyed one of my recipes always makes my day brighter.
Chipotle Mexican Quinoa
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp canola oil
- 1 large onion diced
- 1 ½ tsp oregano
- 1 tsp cumin
- ¼ tsp chili flakes
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 red or orange pepper diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce chopped
- 1 tbsp vegetable bouillon I like the Better Than Bouillon brand
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 cup dry quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1 ½ cups black beans or 1 can, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn kernals
- chopped cilantro optional
- shredded cheese optional
Instructions
- In a dutch oven or large skillet, heat the canola oil over medium heat.
- Add the onion, oregano, cumin, chili flakes, and salt. Saute until the onions are soft.
- Add the bell pepper, garlic, chipotle pepper, and bouillon. Saute another minute.
- Add the salsa, quinoa, and water. Heat to boiling and then turn down to low to simmer until the quinoa is cooked.
- Add in the black beans and corn. Stir until heated through.
- Serve with cilantro and cheese (if desired).
Nutrition
Calories: 400, Fat: 10.5g, Carbs: 64g, Fibre: 11g, Sugar: 6.5g, Protein: 15.5g
[share title=”Share This Article” facebook=”true” twitter=”true” google_plus=”true” linkedin=”true” pinterest=”true” reddit=”true” email=”true”]
Just curious what you do with the extra chipotle peppers in the can? Can I freeze them?
I take them out of the can and keep them in the fridge. I find they last a long time. But freezing would work well to! I would probably chop them first before freezing and freezer in 1-2 pepper portions so you can easily add them to a recipe.
Any info on the salt and potassium content
It’s about 700 mg sodium and 925 mg potassium per serving.
Hi Jessica:
I wondered if the above recipe is with or without cheese and if the 400 calories are per serving or entire recipe of 4 servings. Thanks, Kim Laird [email protected]
Hi Kim,
It’s 400 calories for one serving (no cheese).
I’m always looking for new ways to make quinoa- and Mexican food is always a fave!
So much goodness all in one pan!! I’ll definitely be giving this one a shot