Creamy Broccoli Quinoa Casserole (Printable)

Tender broccoli and fluffy quinoa baked in a luscious creamy cheddar sauce with a golden topping.

# 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 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, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 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 cooked quinoa, sautéed vegetables, and 3/4 cup of the cheese.
05 - Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Scatter remaining cheese and breadcrumbs evenly over the top.
06 - Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It hits that rich, creamy comfort zone without feeling heavy after a second helping
  • The whole thing comes together in about an hour with barely any fancy technique
02 -
  • If you skip the five minute rest the casserole will fall apart when you try to serve it no matter how perfectly it baked
  • Tasting the raw egg mixture for seasoning feels wrong but it is the single most important step for a flavorful result
03 -
  • Pat frozen broccoli completely dry with a kitchen towel or the casserole will be soupy
  • Use the sharpest cheddar you can find because mild cheese disappears into the sauce completely

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