Description
A wholesome casserole filled with nourishing quinoa, colorful vegetables, and cheesy goodness, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 2 cups broccoli florets, cut into small pieces
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced bell peppers (a mix of colors is ideal)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup milk (or cream for richness)
- 2 cups shredded cheese (mix of cheddar and mozzarella)
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or cornstarch for a gluten-free option)
- 1 teaspoon each of dried oregano and dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Optional: Fresh parsley or chives for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Rinse the quinoa under cold water and then cook it in vegetable broth according to package instructions.
- While the quinoa cooks, heat the butter or olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and sauté until it’s translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the diced carrots and bell peppers, cooking until they begin to soften, about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Once the vegetables are sautéed, sprinkle the flour over them and stir to coat, cooking for an additional minute.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, continuing to stir until the mixture thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from heat and mix in the cooked quinoa, broccoli florets, shredded cheese, dried herbs, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes until well combined.
- Transfer this mixture into a greased casserole dish, and top with grated parmesan cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives, if desired.
Notes
You can prep most vegetables ahead of time to streamline the cooking process. Freshly shredded cheese ensures optimal melting.
- Prep Time: 20 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: Casserole, Quinoa, Vegetarian, Cheese, Broccoli, Dinner
