Main Course · Dinner · Latin American ·

Spicy Peruvian Ají de Quinoa with Corn and Cheese

Name: Spicy Peruvian Ají de Quinoa with Corn and Cheese
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 1 cup quinoa, rinsed; 2 cups vegetable broth; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 tablespoons ají amarillo paste; 1 medium onion, finely chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen; 1 tablespoon butter; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup queso fresco or feta cheese, crumbled; 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Enjoy the robust flavors of Peru with this spicy and hearty quinoa dish, perfectly balanced with fresh corn and creamy cheese.

4.4(313 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·September 11, 2025

Spicy Peruvian Ají de Quinoa with Corn and Cheese — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Quinoa Base

For the Ají Sauce

For the Corn Mix

For the Cheese Layer

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 323 kcal
Protein: 12.28 g
Carbs: 30.18 g
Fat: 19.08 g
Fiber: 3.9 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1293 kcal
Protein: 49.1 g
Carbs: 120.7 g
Fat: 76.3 g
Fiber: 15.6 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
1 cup quinoa rinsed	222	8.1	39.4	3.6	5.2
2 cups vegetable broth	20	1	3	0.2	0.5
1 tablespoon olive oil	119	0	0	13.5	0
2 tablespoons ají amarillo paste	40	0.5	8	1	1
1 medium onion finely chopped	44	1.2	10.3	0.1	1.9
3 cloves garlic minced	13	0.6	3	0	0.2
1 red bell pepper diced	37	1.2	9	0.4	3.1
1 cup corn kernels fresh or frozen	132	4	31	1.5	3.7
1 tablespoon butter	102	0.1	0	11.5	0
1/4 teaspoon salt	0	0	0	0	0
1 cup queso fresco or feta cheese crumbled	396	21.2	6	32	0
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese shredded	168	12.2	1	12.5	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Quinoa Base

1
Rinse Quinoa
Rinse the quinoa under cold water.
2
Combine Ingredients
Combine quinoa and vegetable broth in a saucepan.
3
Cook Quinoa
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer until quinoa is cooked, about 15 minutes.

Preparing the Ají Sauce

1
Heat Oil
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2
Sauté Aromatics
Sauté onion and garlic until translucent.
3
Finish Sauce
Add ají amarillo paste and diced bell pepper, cooking until the peppers soften.
Tip: Ensure the ají amarillo paste is well integrated to avoid uneven spice distribution. Pro Tip: Adding the paste early enhances the sauce's flavor profile.

How to Make Spicy Peruvian Ají de Quinoa with Corn and Cheese

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Combine Quinoa and Sauce
Mix the cooked quinoa into the ají sauce gently until well combined.
2
Cook Corn Mix
In another pan, melt butter and sauté corn with salt until golden brown.
3
Layer and Bake
In a baking dish, layer the quinoa mixture followed by the corn mix, then sprinkle with queso fresco and mozzarella cheeses. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes.