I love casseroles. And one of my favorite combos is broccoli and cheese. Usually, it’s made with rice, but today I have a healthier version that’s made with Quinoa! Get ready for a comfy and cozy Broccoli Cheese Quinoa Bake that’s a simple side or main dish any weeknight!
This recipe comes together easily and gives the most amazing flavor. The quinoa is hearty, creamy, and flavorful, but also super healthy, loaded with fiber and protein! The broccoli brings color, vitamins, and texture. The cheese, well, it’s creamy and delicious! You can make this casserole entirely ahead and reheat any busy night! It’s a balanced meal on it’s own, but you can add chicken, meatballs, or any other easy meat that your family loves.
Quinoa!
Quinoa is a great side on it’s own or ingredient to bulk up other foods, such as stuffings. It can replace pasta or rice in most recipes and adds more protein and fiber.
It’s actually a seed, not a grain, but the texture is similar to a grain or even a couscous, but a little more fluffy. It has a mild, slightly nutty taste, but it’s mild, so it really absorbs any flavors you mix with it.
But the really magic of quinoa is in the health benefits! 1 cup of cooked quinoa has 8g of complete protein and 5g of fiber. It also has Iron, Manganese, Lysine, and magnesium!
Combining quinoa with veggies gives you a complete balanced meal with vitamins, fiber, protein, and other nutrients.
Try these other easy and delicious Quinoa Recipes!
- Quinoa and Black Bean Burritos
- Quinoa Crust Tomato Tart with Artichoke Hearts and Goat Cheese
- Sunny Quinoa with Fried Egg and Veggie Medley
- Mushroom Quinoa Risotto
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EQUIPMENT NEEDED
For this recipe, you need a medium pot with fitted lid for the quinoa, a medium pot for the sauce, and a large (5-6 quart) casserole dish.
Oh, and mincing garlic is made super easy with a Garlic Press.
PREP-AHEAD STEPS FOR YOUR BROCCOLI CHEESE QUINOA BAKE
We are all extremely busy and making dinner during the week can be overwhelming. Here are the steps you prepare in the day(s) in advance and store in the fridge as your meal Kit… (See the recipe below for more details)
This recipe starts with pre-cooking your quinoa. I do this because it makes the baking part foolproof! You will never have to worry if the quinoa is cooked fully in the oven because it was pretty much there when you added it. One of the benefits of quinoa is that it can absorb a lot and maintains it’s integrity.
While the quinoa cooks, you can prep the rest of the ingredients…cut off the broccoli florets (if not already done) and mince the garlic.
Ok, and here comes the somewhat strange ingredients. By the way, this is totally optional, but adds really fun delicious flavor.
POTATO CHIPS!!
My Mom used to put crushed potato chips on top of casseroles and I just felt the urge to add it to this one. So, just toss some chips in a baggie and crush away to get them to small pieces. Or, leave them out if you want. They are not needed, so it’s your choice.
COOK YOUR BROCCOLI CHEESE QUINOA BAKE
Cooking for this recipe starts on the stove and then moves to the oven.
On the stove, in a medium to large pot, add the vegetable broth and minced garlic. Bring to a simmer on Medium-High heat. While it is heating, make your slurry by mixing the cornstarch into cold milk. When the broth is simmering, whisk in the milk slurry. Continue to whisk as it starts to thicken so no clumps form on the bottom.
Once thickened, whisk in the shredded cheese. Stir until melted and smooth. Then turn off the heat.
To a casserole dish, Add the broccoli florets, cooked quinoa, cheese sauce, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to completely combine. Place in the preheated oven on center rack and bake for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, add the crushed potato chips to the top of the casserole and place back in the oven for the final 5 minutes. The remove and let rest for at least 5-10 minutes. Enjoy!
ENJOY! 😍 Carrie
Simple Weeknight Broccoli Cheese Quinoa Bake
This Broccoli Cheese Quinoa Bake is a comfy cozy casserole that's perfect to make ahead for a simple weeknight side or main dish. The quinoa is hearty, creamy, and flavorful, but also super healthy, loaded with fiber and protein! The broccoli brings color, vitamins, and texture. The cheese, well, it's creamy and delicious! You can make this casserole entirely ahead and reheat any busy night! It's a balanced meal on it's own, but you can add chicken, meatballs, or any other easy meat that your family loves. #casseroles #broccolirecipes #vegetarian #meatlessmeals #broccolicheesebake
Ingredients
- 2 cups Quinoa, uncooked
- 4 cups Broccoli florets
- 2 cups Shredded Cheddar
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 2 cups Vegetable Broth
- 1 cup Milk
- 4 Tbsp Cornstarch
- 1 Tbsp Oregano, dried
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 1/2 cup Optional Topping: Crushed potato chips
Instructions
Prep Ahead Steps
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Pre-Cook Quinoa. Start by rinsing the quinoa thoroughly in a strainer, then adding it to 4 cups water in a medium pot with a fitted lid. Bring the water to a simmer, then turn it down to the lowest setting and cover tightly. Cook on lowest heat covered for 15 minutes. While the quinoa cooks, continue to prep.
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Cut off the broccoli florets if not already done for you. Mince the garlic. Place potato chips in a baggie and lightly crush to break them up into small pieces.
Cook
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Preheat oven to 400 F degrees.
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To a Medium-Large pot, add the vegetable broth and minced garlic. Bring to a simmer on Medium-High heat. While it is heating, make your slurry by mixing the cornstarch into cold milk.
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When the broth is simmering, whisk in the milk slurry. Continue to whisk as it starts to thicken so no clumps form on the bottom.
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Once thickened, whisk in the shredded cheese. Stir until melted and smooth. Then turn off the heat.
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To a 10" x 10" or similar size casserole dish, Add the broccoli florets, cooked quinoa, cheese sauce, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to completely combine. Place in the preheated oven on center rack and bake for 15 minutes.
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After 15 minutes, add the crushed potato chips to the top of the casserole and place back in the oven for the final 5 minutes. The remove and let rest for at least 5-10 minutes. Enjoy!