Description
A warm and cheesy bake that combines quinoa and broccoli in a creamy sauce, perfect for family gatherings or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups vegetable broth or water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup milk (any kind)
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa: Start by combining the rinsed quinoa with vegetable broth or water in a saucepan. Bring it to a boil, then cover and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. Once done, fluff it with a fork.
- Sauté aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté it for about 5 minutes until it’s soft and translucent. Then, toss in the minced garlic and cook for another minute, allowing the flavors to blend beautifully.
- Cook broccoli: Add the broccoli florets along with 1/4 cup of water to the skillet. Cover it and steam for 3-5 minutes until the broccoli is tender but retains a vibrant green color.
- Make the cheese sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, Greek yogurt (or sour cream), Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Combine: In your skillet, mix the cooked quinoa with the sautéed onion and garlic and the broccoli mixture. Stir this all together until it’s nicely blended.
- Add cheese: Now, stir in both the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Keep mixing until everything is melted and creamy, creating that irresistible cheesy sauce.
- Bake: Transfer the mixture to a greased 8×8 inch baking dish. If you want an added crunch, sprinkle breadcrumbs on top. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes until it’s bubbly and golden.
- Rest and serve: Once it’s out of the oven, let it cool for about 5 minutes before diving in. Enjoy every cheesy, creamy bite!
Notes
Rinse quinoa before cooking to remove bitterness. Don’t overcook the broccoli to retain color and nutrients. Variations include adding protein or switching vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: quinoa, broccoli, baked, cheese, vegetarian, comfort food