southwest quinoa casserole

Photo: Heather Poire

The Superseed Dish That Looks Like a Rainbow
Quinoa and veggies meet homey comfort in this potluck-ready entrée from Melissa King's new Easy. Whole. Vegan. The dish gets an alluring array of color from diced green and red bell peppers, fresh mushrooms and cherry tomatoes, as well as from black beans and jalapeño. And the creamy sauce that binds it all together doesn't contain any dairy, surprisingly; it's made from raw macadamia nuts soaked in water, yet still tastes rich.

Get the recipe: Southwestern Quinoa Casserole
Corn-Muffin Casserole

Photo: Jonathan Melendez and Cortnee Loren Brown

A Tasty Way to Add Even More Delicious Corn to Your Summer
With just five ingredients, the recipe for this savory spoon-bread casserole from Rachel Hollis' forthcoming book, Upscale Downhome, is one of the easiest we've ever seen. Just combine a box of corn-muffin mix, the kernels from two ears of fresh corn, a can of creamed corn, an egg and melted butter in a bowl; then, pour into a dish and bake for 20 minutes. It would be perfect alongside pulled pork or ribs, but it could just as easily round out a vegetarian meal.

Get the recipe: Corn-Muffin Casserole
Sweet Potato-Black Bean Enchiladas

Photo: Karina Allrich

An Easy, Breezy Mexican Meal
Sweet potatoes and black beans dressed in a green chili sauce make for a satisfying, just-spicy-enough filling for corn tortillas. Nestle them together in a baking dish and pop them in the oven, and you've got a crowd-pleasing supper that can be prepared ahead of time. And one of the best things about this delicious dinner is how wonderfully it pairs with summer produce. A refreshing salad made with greens, herbs and fruit, such as strawberries or watermelon, would be just the thing on a hot night.

Get the recipe: Sweet Potato-Black Bean Enchiladas
Polenta Bake with Tomato, Feta and Mushrooms

Photo: Tara Fisher

The One-Pan Mediterranean Feast
When you cook ground polenta in a cast-iron skillet, it thickens into a soft, dough-like base, ideal for a variety of toppings. In this flavorful recipe, you add on bright and fresh cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and feta. Then, under the broiler, the tomato skins burst, the mushrooms wilt and the cheese melts; the result is savory and tangy, with a deep-dish casserole feel. Toss a handful of arugula, or any other tender, leafy green you find at the market, on top for a pop of color and some texture.

Get the recipe: Polenta Bake with Tomato, Feta and Mushrooms
Baked Grits with Bacon and Spinach

Photo: Alison Gootee/Studio D

Another Rendition for a Winning Trio
Spinach, eggs and cured meats are a terrific combo, with the greens' slightly bitter taste mellowed out by the smoky, salty flavor from, say, bacon; and the simple richness of eggs. This fun dish puts the ingredients into individual-size cups that also include grits, which lend a bit of substance.

Get the recipe: Baked Grits with Bacon and Spinach
Published 08/08/2016