Tofu Quinoa Casserole is a simple, satisfying meal made with tofu, quinoa, and kale. It's packed with protein, fiber, and plant points-and it's baked into one beautiful, wholesome dish. Created by a Registered Dietitian to help you get the nutrients you need with minimal effort.
This Tofu Casserole might change how you feel about tofu and quinoa forever-even tofu skeptics love it. The soy-glazed tofu adds a meaty bite, while the quinoa soaks up all the flavor. We should be eating greens daily to build strong bones, and adding kale here makes it easy.
Jump to:
👩🏼🌾 Ingredients & Health Benefits

Below are some notes about the ingredients from me, a nutrition expert.
- Tofu: Made from soybeans, tofu is naturally gluten-free, low in calories, and cholesterol-free. It is also a good source of protein and iron, and rich in heart-healthy isoflavones and beneficial fats.
- Kale: A veggie superstar for good reason! It's packed with nutrients and very low in calories, making it one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat. Like other dark leafy greens, it's rich in vitamins and minerals, but with lower oxalate levels, so its calcium is more absorbable. It's also a good source of magnesium, another key mineral that helps build strong bones.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants-especially lycopene, a powerful compound linked to reduced cancer risk and better heart health.
- Quinoa: A protein-rich, high-fiber seed that's naturally gluten-free. It's a great substitute for rice and other grains, offering plant-based protein and long-lasting energy.
See the printable recipe card below for quantities.
🥬 Substitutions
This recipe is versatile and easy to adapt. Below are some simple ingredient substitutions.
- Tofu - Swap with tempeh for a fermented option.
- Kale - Use collard greens or spinach.
- Red onion - Substitute with yellow onion or shallots.
- Coconut aminos - Use low-sodium soy sauce or tamari.
- Cornstarch - Use arrowroot or tapioca starch.
- Sun-dried tomatoes - Both dried and packed in oil will work. Or use chopped roasted red peppers instead.
- Vegetable broth - Swap with water plus a splash of soy sauce or miso paste for flavor.
📝 Tips for Making Tofu Casserole with Quinoa
These tips will help you get the best result from this tofu casserole recipe. The complete printable recipe is below.

- Cooking quinoa in vegetable broth with aromatics and herbs adds depth of flavor, making it more tasty and appealing than plain water. Submerge the quinoa and vegetables with twice as much vegetable broth as quinoa.

- Place the tofu steaks in an even layer on top, and cover. Soy-glazed tofu is rich with umami and adds plant-based protein to this dish. Placing them on top allows them to brown further as the casserole bakes.
- Bake the casserole for 15 minutes, or until warmed through. The quinoa should be tender and fully cooked, not crunchy.

🎛️ Alternatives to Aluminum Foil for Covering a Casserole
Here are a few safe and reusable alternatives for covering a casserole:
- Baking dish with a lid - Best option if your casserole dish has a matching lid.
- Parchment paper - Lay it over the top and press gently around the edges.
- Silicone baking mat - Flexible, reusable, and oven-safe.
- Oven-safe plate or tray - Place over the dish to trap steam and heat.
- Another inverted baking dish - Works well if it fits snugly.

Tofu Quinoa Casserole Recipe
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Cooking for Peanuts.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot starch
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder plus more for casserole
- Dash of salt or salt substitute
- Dash of black pepper
- 16 ounces super firm tofu or extra firm (one packet-pressed, cut into ½-inch-thick long rectangles.)
- 1 tablespoon Coconut aminos or low-sodium tamari (plus a drizzle for browning)
- Olive oil for pan frying (optional)
- 1 cup dry quinoa
- ½ medium red onion diced
- 2 cups chopped curly kale
- ½ cup halved sun-dried tomatoes preserved in oil, or plain dried, soaked in hot water for 10 minutes until softened
- 2 cups vegetable broth (preferably low sodium)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Prepare Tofu: In a wide, shallow dish, mix the cornstarch, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and any other spices. Place the tofu in a bowl and toss with the coconut aminos to coat. Press each tofu piece into the dry spice mixture, turning to coat all sides.
- Cook Tofu: Pan-Seared Method: Add enough oil to cover the base of a large skillet. Heat the oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the tofu and cook for about 4 minutes on each side, or until crispy and golden brown. Add a drizzle of coconut aminos to cover the base of the skillet and cook the tofu on both sides until dark brown. Set aside. Oven Method (Oil-Free): Transfer the tofu to a large nonstick baking sheet in a single layer. Bake at 400ºF for 7 minutes before flipping them over. Bake for about 7 minutes more, or until crispy. Drizzle with more coconut aminos as desired. Set aside.
- Combine: Transfer the quinoa to a 2-quart casserole dish. Add the red onion, kale, sun-dried tomatoes, and vegetable broth. Stir to combine. Use the back of the spoon to press the ingredients down until submerged. Place the tofu rectangles evenly on top without submerging.
- Cover the dish with parchment, an oven-safe plate, or aluminum foil.
- Bake covered for 30 minutes. Remove the cover and bake for 20 minutes more.
Notes
Nutrition
This information is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate. Nutritional values may vary depending on factors such as product types and brands used.
✔️ Storage Tips
How to store and reheat leftovers to keep your casserole tasting its best:
- Make It Ahead: This casserole can be prepared in advance and reheated when ready to serve.
- Storage: Let the cooked casserole cool, then cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- How to Freeze: Let it cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. The tofu may firm up slightly, but the flavor holds up well.
- Reheating: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cover the casserole and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
🙋🏽♀️ Recipe FAQs
If using super-firm tofu, there's no need to press it. It comes pre-pressed and is very low in moisture. Just pat it dry and you're ready to season.
For firm or extra-firm tofu, pressing helps remove excess water so it can absorb flavors better and crisp up in the oven. Use a tofu press, or wrap it in a clean towel and place a heavy object on top for 15-30 minutes before seasoning.
No, this recipe is designed for uncooked quinoa to absorb the liquid and flavors as it bakes. Using cooked quinoa would result in a mushy texture and an imbalanced liquid ratio. For best results, use uncooked, rinsed quinoa as directed.
🛒 Shop Recipe Cookware and Ingredients

Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nisha's Favorites
Get my tried-and-true products.








Min says
Can I make this without the tomatoes?
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
Yes!
G says
Hi! Could you use frozen greens (like spinach) instead?
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
Yes!
Neetu Malik says
Hi there,
I’ve discovered your website through your you tube shorts and am finding your recipes very interesting and appreciate the nutritional information. I would like to give this recipe a try but I don’t have coconut aminos. Can I just use tamari?
Thank you.
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
Welcome! Yes, absolutely!
val says
This was excellent and so easy! Thank you and I LOVE your book too - a must buy for plant based cooking.
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
So glad you tried it! Thank you for purchasing my book. I appreciate you being here!
aida hoteit says
oven temperature please for the oil free version for cooking the tofu, thanks
Nisha Melvani says
Hi. 400ºF. I just included it. Thank you.
Laura says
I have made this several times. It is easy and delicious.
Nisha Melvani says
I am so glad you are enjoying the recipe. Thanks for leaving a comment.
Gracie says
Hi! So excited to try this! My question is, can you freeze it? What are the best methods to do that?
Nisha Melvani says
Hi. I love this dish. I haven't tried freezing it but give it a go in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Reheat at around 250ºF in the oven, or microwave.
Barbara says
This is a very nice recipe. I changed it a little to reduce the calories and sodium a little, but it turned out really delicious and was easy. I will definitely be making it again. Thank you!
Nisha Melvani says
Hi Barbara, I'm thrilled you liked it. Thanks for your feedback. Great adjustments. Have a fab day. xxx
Siobhan Haber says
came out delicious!!
cookingforpeanuts says
Yay!
Amina says
This is amazing. I'm not normally a huge fan of quinoa but I tried this dish and it was so easy and really delicious. I even had the cold leftovers for lunch the next day! I plan on making it again as a side dish too.
cookingforpeanuts says
I'm so glad you like it. It's one of favorite ways to eat quinoa. My kids really love it!
Melissa says
Hello!
Thank you for the recipe, it looks great!! My question is, how long would the baking time be if I use quinoa that’s already cooked?
I once tried a different casserole recipe with uncooked quinoa and the quinoa didn’t cook thoroughly, even after adding more and more baking time, so I’ve been nervous to try something like that again haha!
Although I’ve gotten a new oven since then so maybe I’ll have better luck?!!
Thank you!
cookingforpeanuts says
Hi Melissa,
I recommend trying it this way first. The ratio of quinoa to broth was perfect for the suggested cook time. Let me know how it goes. Use a 2qt casserole dish.xxx
Melissa says
Thank you!
cookingforpeanuts says
Sure.