Hearty Aztec Protein Bake
This Hearty Aztec Protein Bake is a flavorful, high-protein casserole that brings together the rich culinary traditions of ancient Mesoamerica with modern convenience. It’s packed with a variety of beans and grains, providing a nutritious base, while the savory ground turkey or beef adds a satisfying depth. Ideal for meal prep, this casserole freezes beautifully and is easy to reheat, making it a perfect option for busy days or on-the-go meals. You can easily adapt the recipe to be vegetarian by omitting the ground meat without sacrificing flavor. Perfectly seasoned with roasted red chili paste and complemented by vibrant vegetables, this dish is as nourishing as it is delicious.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
dried black beans
1 cup (rinsed)
dried red beans
1 cup (rinsed)
dried black-eyed peas
1 cup (rinsed)
hot water
9 cups (for cooking beans)
organic sweet brown rice
1 cup (for cooking)
barley
1/2 cup (for cooking)
quinoa
1/2 cup (for cooking)
water
2 cups (for cooking grains)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (for cooking)
ground turkey or ground beef
2 lbs (optional, browned and drained)
large yellow onion
1 (coarsely chopped)
red bell pepper
1/2 (coarsely chopped)
yellow bell pepper
1/2 (coarsely chopped)
frozen corn or fresh corn
2 cups (frozen or fresh)
garlic cloves
3-4 (minced)
roasted red chili paste
1 tablespoon (to taste)
salt
to taste
Instructions
1
Prepare the beans: Rinse dried black beans, red beans, and black-eyed peas, then place them in a slow cooker with 9 cups of hot water. Cook on high for about 3 hours or until tender. Drain and set aside.
2
Cook the grains: In a rice cooker, combine the sweet brown rice, barley, and quinoa with 2 cups of water. Follow your rice cooker’s instructions, usually taking about 70 minutes.
3
Brown the meat (if using): In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat half of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground turkey or beef, breaking it up, and cook until browned. Remove the cooked meat and let it drain on paper towels.
4
Sauté the vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil. Add the chopped onions, red and yellow bell peppers, and minced garlic. Cook until the vegetables are crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
5
Combine the fillings: Stir in the frozen or fresh corn and roasted red chili paste (to taste). Add the drained beans (including the cooking liquid) and the cooked grains, along with the browned meat if using. Mix well.
6
Season and simmer: Add salt to taste and continue to simmer the mixture for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the liquid to slightly reduce.
7
Serve: Once everything is well combined and heated through, transfer to a large serving dish or individual containers for meal prep.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hearty Aztec Protein Bake?
It is a flavorful, high-protein casserole that combines ancient Mesoamerican culinary traditions with modern convenience using beans, grains, and ground meat.
Is this recipe high in protein?
Yes, it is a high-protein dish featuring a variety of beans, grains, and ground turkey or beef.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily adapt the recipe to be vegetarian by omitting the ground meat without sacrificing flavor.
Is this dish suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely, it freezes beautifully and is easy to reheat, making it perfect for busy days or on-the-go meals.
What types of beans are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 1 cup each of dried black beans, dried red beans, and dried black-eyed peas.
What grains are included in the bake?
The dish contains organic sweet brown rice, barley, and quinoa.
How should I cook the beans?
Rinse the beans and peas, then place them in a slow cooker with 9 cups of hot water on high for about 3 hours or until tender.
What is the best way to cook the grains for this recipe?
Combine the sweet brown rice, barley, and quinoa in a rice cooker with 2 cups of water and cook for about 70 minutes.
What kind of meat is recommended?
You can use 2 lbs of ground turkey or ground beef, which should be browned and drained before adding to the mix.
What vegetables are in the Hearty Aztec Protein Bake?
The recipe includes yellow onion, red and yellow bell peppers, frozen or fresh corn, and minced garlic.
How much garlic is needed?
The recipe calls for 3 to 4 minced garlic cloves.
What provides the spice and seasoning in this dish?
The dish is seasoned with roasted red chili paste and salt to taste.
How long should the final mixture simmer?
After combining all ingredients, simmer the mixture for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
How much water is needed for the slow cooker beans?
You will need 9 cups of hot water to cook the 3 cups of dried beans.
What type of rice is specified?
The recipe specifically calls for organic sweet brown rice.
Should the vegetables be soft or crunchy?
The onions and peppers should be sautéed until they are crisp-tender, which usually takes about 5 minutes.
Is olive oil used in this recipe?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of olive oil are used for browning the meat and sautéing the vegetables.
Can I use fresh corn?
Yes, you can use 2 cups of either frozen or fresh corn.
Is this a gluten-free recipe?
No, this recipe contains barley, which is a gluten-containing grain.
How much chili paste should I use?
The recipe recommends 1 tablespoon of roasted red chili paste, but you can adjust this to taste.
How should the onions be chopped?
The large yellow onion should be coarsely chopped.
What is the preparation for the bell peppers?
Half of a red bell pepper and half of a yellow bell pepper should be coarsely chopped.
Do I need to soak the beans overnight?
The instructions suggest rinsing them and using a slow cooker on high for 3 hours instead of a long soak.
What is the total count of ingredients?
There are 17 ingredients used in this recipe.
What is the primary cooking vessel for the main combination?
A large skillet or sauté pan is used to combine and simmer the final mixture.
Are the beans drained before combining?
The instructions mention adding the drained beans but also including the cooking liquid for the simmer.
Can I use different beans?
While the recipe calls for black, red, and black-eyed peas, you can likely substitute other dried beans of your choice.
How much ground meat is required?
The recipe calls for 2 lbs of ground turkey or beef.
What tags describe this meal?
This meal is tagged as a casserole, high-protein, meal prep, vegetarian-friendly, one-dish meal, freezer-friendly, and healthy.
How do I serve the Aztec Protein Bake?
Transfer the finished mixture to a large serving dish or into individual containers for meal prep.