Broccoli Quinoa Casserole Recipe

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This Broccoli Quinoa Casserole recipe is easy to make, packed with flavor, and healthy! It’s the perfect blend of cheesy comfort and healthy food!

Broccoli quinoa casserole in a white serving dish.

Broccoli Quinoa Casserole Recipe

It’s a better broccoli casserole with the substitution of quinoa for rice. This dish has a slightly nutty flavor from the quinoa, creamy, smooth texture from the cheese, and fresh crunch from the broccoli. In addition, all the nutrition that quinoa packs make this a winning combo.

Broccoli Quinoa Casserole

What is Quinoa?

Quinoa is a seed, not a grain. However, quinoa is a complete protein, providing all nine essential amino acids, something rare to find in a plant product. One cup of cooked quinoa contains 222 calories and 4 grams of fat; there are 39 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of fiber, and 8 grams of protein. It has 15 percent of the daily value for iron and is also a good source of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin E.

Quinoa is also a gluten-free and cholesterol-free whole food. As well as it’s naturally kosher.

Quinoa casserole with broccoli in a baking dish.

What does quinoa taste like?

It has a nutty flavor, but fluffy texture. It easily takes on whatever sauce or flavor you add to it.

Making a Healthy Broccoli Casserole

 
broccoli and green onion on a cutting board.
  1. Dice broccoli and green onion.
quinoa and broccoli in a mixing bowl.
  1. Add veggies to quinoa.
quinoa and broccoli cooking in a pot.
  1. Boil broccoli and quinoa for 12 minutes.
making roux for a cream sauce in a saucepan.
  1. Make a roux for the quinoa casserole sauce by cooking equal parts of fat and flour.
Bechamel sauce cooking in a saucepan for a broccoli quinoa casserole recipe.
  1. Add milk and let the sauce come to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low.
whisking cheese into a white sauce for quinoa casserole.
  1. Add cheese and stir until melted.
healthy broccoli and quinoa casserole ingredients in a mixing bowl.
  1. Drain quinoa and broccoli and add to cheese mixture.
  1. Place in a casserole dish and bake for 20 minutes.
 
Cheesy broccoli quinoa casserole in a white serving dish.
 

Other Recipes Like Quinoa Casserole

Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary based on products used.

I updated this post from an earlier version. I made new photos and simplified the recipe instructions.

Broccoli Quinoa Casserole

Broccoli Quinoa Casserole Recipe

An easy-to-make quinoa casserole that's packed with flavor! It's the perfect blend of cheesy comfort and healthy food!
Author: Paula
5 from 13 votes
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quinoa rinse if called for on package
  • 1 and ¼ cup water or what's recommended on package
  • 1 cup broccoli florets chopped, more if desired
  • 2 Tablespoons green onions chopped
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 2 Tablespoons self-rising flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 and ½ cup peppper jack cheese shredded
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Rinse quinoa according to package directions (if called for, not all quinoa requires this step). Drain. Heat 1 and 1/4 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan. (Most packages say to use 1 and 1/4 cup water to 1 cup of quinoa. But go by what your package says.) Once boiling add quinoa, green onions, and broccoli and cook 12 minutes (or according to package instructions for the quinoa)
  • In a medium saucepan, melt butter. Add flour and stir for 2 minutes. Add milk and bring to a boil while whisking. Once the mixture reaches a low boil, remove from heat and stir in cheeses. Stir until cheese melts.
  • Drain quinoa and vegetables from the water and add to the cheese sauce. Stir. Pour into a casserole dish and bake 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 189kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 278mg | Potassium: 210mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 364IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 152mg | Iron: 1mg
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13 Comments

  1. It does not tell what temp to bake this. I doubled the broccoli, it was way too much cheese and too little broccoli. It also says to drain the quinoa after cooking with the broccoli, there was nothing to drain, it was not enough liquid, quinoa started to burn. Maybe I did something wrong

  2. 5 stars
    Paula, this has all my favorites. It will become a regular on the menu. I featured this as one of my favorite pins this week on Weekly Rays of Sunshine. Take a look.Have a great weekend. Linda

  3. 5 stars
    I just found your blog through the Grow Your Blog Hop and as I scrolled down I saw this awesome recipe. Growing up I ate cheesy rice [ aka Rice A Roni's Broccoli Cheddar Rice ] and would literally eat half a box for dinner. Since I'm a vegetarian quinoa is a super food for me so I can't wait to try this! Thanks, Shannon [ lifeofpoole.blogspot.com ]

  4. 5 stars
    Paula, this looks great. Love the flavor combos. Thanks for sharing.We're having a party today. What'd You Do This Weekend? I'd love it if you would bring this over. Thanks, Linda

  5. Looks yummy Paula. I cook quinoa often since it is such a healthy choice. I will add your recipe to my rotation!

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Your email address will not be published. Have you tried this recipe? Consider giving it 5 stars!