Quinoa Pizza Bites

Small Bites, Quietly Satisfying

There's something unexpectedly tender about a bite-sized thing done well. These little rounds ask you to slow down just enough to appreciate what quinoa can become when it's coaxed into something warm and savory — crisp at the edges, soft within, carrying the familiar comfort of a pizza night without any of the fuss. They're the kind of thing you make for a gathering but find yourself eating quietly in the kitchen before anyone arrives. Patient food, in the best possible sense.

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 1 1/2 cups Vigo Quinoa, cooked
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 3/4 cups mini pepperonis
• 1/4 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 3 tablespoons Alessi Smooth Marinara, for dipping
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a mini muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
2. Add all ingredients to a large bowl and mix until fully combined.
3. Evenly distribute the mixture between the mini muffin cups (makes 16-18).
4. Gently press down into the cups.
5. Bake 15 minutes.
6. Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes.
7. Use a knife to loosen the edges, remove from muffin cups and serve with marinara sauce.
8. This recipe was created by Leanne Neff and Sofia Tsikitas.