Creamy Broccoli Quinoa Casserole (Printable Version)
Tender broccoli and fluffy quinoa baked in a rich creamy cheddar sauce for effortless family meals.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 4 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
02 - 1 small onion, finely diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Grains
04 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
→ Dairy & Eggs
05 - 1 1/2 cups milk, dairy or unsweetened plant-based
06 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, or plant-based alternative
07 - 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
08 - 2 large eggs
→ Pantry
09 - 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
10 - 1 tsp dried thyme
11 - 1/2 tsp paprika
12 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
13 - 1/2 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs, optional for topping
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Prepare quinoa according to package directions. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion until soft, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add broccoli and sauté until just tender, about 5 minutes for fresh or until heated through for frozen.
04 - In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, sour cream, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Fold in the cooked quinoa, sautéed vegetables, and 3/4 cup of the shredded cheese until evenly distributed.
05 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer. Scatter the remaining cheese and breadcrumbs over the top.
06 - Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden brown. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It hits that sweet spot between indulgent comfort food and something you can actually feel good about feeding your family
- The whole thing comes together in about an hour with zero fancy techniques
02 -
- If you pour hot quinoa straight into the egg mixture you will get scrambled egg ribbons floating through your casserole, so let it cool a few minutes first
- The five minute rest after baking is not optional, it sets the custard so you get clean squares instead of a soupy pile
03 -
- Grate your own cheese from a block instead of using pre-shredded bags, the coating on bagged cheese keeps it from melting smoothly
- Spread the breadcrumb topping in an even thin layer rather than clumps for the most consistent crunch