Crock-Pot Pizza Quinoa {Gluten Free + Super Simple}
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
2 hrs 30 mins
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Total Time
2 hrs 40 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
410 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Crock-Pot Pizza Quinoa {Gluten Free + Super Simple}
Description
This recipe involves combining quinoa, chopped green bell peppers, turkey pepperoni halves, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and a cup of pizza sauce in a slow cooker. Reduced-sodium chicken broth is added along with crumbled ground beef. Cooking on high for 2 to 3 hours cooks the quinoa and beef thoroughly while absorbing the flavors into the grain and vegetables.
After the initial cooking, an additional quarter cup of pizza sauce and shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses are stirred in. The crock pot is covered and heated briefly to melt the cheese, creating a creamy, cheesy finish with a meaty texture from the ground beef and pepperoni slices. The seasoning mix provides classic Italian pizza flavor notes.
Served warm in portions garnished with extra mozzarella, this dish offers a balanced, gluten-free option that mimics pizza without a crust. The slow cooker method simplifies preparation and infuses flavors deeply into the quinoa and beef mixture.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup pizza sauce divided plus additional for servings
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 cup green bell pepper chopped
- 1/3 cup turkey pepperoni halved
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- black pepper freshly ground, pinch
- 1 1/4 cups chicken broth reduced-sodium
- 8 ounces ground beef 93% lean
- 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese grated, plus additional for garnish
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese grated
Instructions
- Spray a 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray and add 1 cup of the pizza sauce (saving the rest for later), alongside the quinoa, green pepper, turkey pepperoni, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and stir together.
- Add in the chicken broth and stir. Finally, crumble up the ground beef and stir it in.
- Set to HIGH heat and cook until the liquid is absorbed, the quinoa is tender, and the beef is cooked, about 2 to 3 hours (Mine only took 2 hours).
- Add in the remaining 1/4 cup of pizza sauce and the cheese and stir. Cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes, so the cheese can melt.
- Divide the quinoa between four plates and garnish with grated mozzarella cheese.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 410 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 410kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 36g | 12% |
| Protein | 34g | 68% |
| Fat | 15g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 81mg | 27% |
| Sodium | 1324mg | 55% |
| Potassium | 914mg | 19% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 689IU | 14% |
| Vitamin C | 35mg | 39% |
| Calcium | 217mg | 22% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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