Creamy Broccoli Quinoa Casserole (Printable View)
Tender broccoli and fluffy quinoa baked in a rich, creamy sauce for a comforting family dinner.
# What You'll 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
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Prepare quinoa according to package directions and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a 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.
05 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Scatter the remaining cheese and breadcrumbs evenly over the top.
06 - Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It turns pantry staples into something that feels like a real hug on a plate
- Even picky eaters who claim to hate broccoli end up going back for seconds
02 -
- Soggy casserole almost always comes from not squeezing thawed frozen broccoli or not letting the quinoa cool before mixing
- The eggs are not optional, they are the structural backbone holding this together
03 -
- Make the whole thing up to the baking step the night before and keep it in the fridge, then bake straight from cold but add 5 extra minutes
- The breadcrumb crust gets exponentially better if you toss them in a tablespoon of melted butter before sprinkling