Creamy Broccoli Quinoa Casserole (Printer-friendly)
Tender broccoli and fluffy quinoa in a rich, cheesy sauce baked until golden and bubbly.
# 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 Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Prepare quinoa according to package directions. Set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion until soft, about 3–4 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 or yogurt, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir in cooked quinoa, sautéed vegetables, and 3/4 cup of the shredded cheese.
05 - Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining cheese and breadcrumbs if using.
06 - Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It hits the table like a warm hug on nights when everyone is tired and picky
- The quinoa secretly makes it feel substantial without any heaviness afterward
02 -
- If you skip rinsing the quinoa you will taste a soapy bitterness that no amount of seasoning can hide
- Letting it rest after baking is not optional, it needs those minutes to set up or it falls apart on the plate
03 -
- Squeeze excess moisture from thawed frozen broccoli with a clean towel or your casserole will be watery
- Use freshly ground black pepper instead of pre-ground, the difference in flavor is genuinely noticeable here