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- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed - 2 cups vegetable broth - 2 cups fresh broccoli florets - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese - 1 cup cream cheese, softened - 1/2 cup Greek yogurt - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) - Salt and pepper to taste - 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (for topping) - 2 tablespoons olive oil When picking fresh broccoli, look for bright green color. The florets should be tight and firm. Avoid any yellowing or wilting. Fresh broccoli smells sweet and earthy. If it feels rubbery or has dark spots, skip it. Always choose broccoli that feels heavy for its size. This means it is fresh and full of water. If you want to swap quinoa, use brown rice or couscous. Both give a nice texture. For cheese, you can try mozzarella or gouda. These options melt well and taste great. If you need a dairy-free choice, use cashew cream. It adds creaminess without dairy. Start by rinsing one cup of quinoa under cold water. This helps remove bitterness. In a medium pot, combine the rinsed quinoa with two cups of vegetable broth. Bring this to a boil, then lower the heat. Cover the pot and let it simmer for around 15 minutes. The quinoa will absorb all the liquid. Afterward, remove it from heat and fluff it gently with a fork. Next, take two cups of fresh broccoli florets and cut them into small pieces. This makes them easy to mix and eat. In a big mixing bowl, add one cup of softened cream cheese. To this, mix in half a cup of Greek yogurt. Stir until you have a smooth, creamy blend. Now, add the cooked quinoa to this creamy mix. Make sure to stir well so everything combines nicely. Next, fold in the broccoli florets you prepared earlier. Add half a cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, half a teaspoon of garlic powder, and half a teaspoon of onion powder. If you like some heat, sprinkle in a quarter teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Season this mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Grab a greased casserole dish, preferably around 9x9 inches. Pour the creamy quinoa and broccoli mixture into it. Spread it evenly. Now, sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top. For a crispy finish, add a quarter cup of breadcrumbs and drizzle two tablespoons of olive oil over everything. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the casserole for 25 to 30 minutes. You want the top to be golden and bubbly. After baking, let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This helps everything set nicely. Enjoy your creamy broccoli cheddar quinoa casserole! To make your casserole extra creamy, use full-fat cream cheese. This gives a rich base. Mixing in Greek yogurt adds tang and creaminess too. If you want it even smoother, add a splash of vegetable broth. Stir well to blend everything. Make sure to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This helps the casserole bake evenly. Use a greased 9x9-inch dish for easy serving. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This helps it set nicely. Serve the casserole warm for the best taste. Top it with fresh broccoli florets for color. A sprinkle of herbs like parsley or chives adds freshness. You can also add a dollop of Greek yogurt as a garnish. This gives a nice touch and extra creaminess. {{image_2}} You can boost the protein in this dish easily. Adding cooked chicken or tofu makes it heartier. For chicken, use shredded rotisserie or grilled pieces. For tofu, choose firm tofu, press it to remove water, and cube it before mixing. Both options blend well with the creamy texture and provide flavor. To make this casserole vegan, swap out the cheese and cream. Use cashew cream or a store-bought vegan cream cheese. Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor. For the Greek yogurt, replace it with almond or coconut yogurt. These choices keep the dish rich and creamy without animal products. Give your casserole a flavor boost with herbs and spices. Try adding thyme or basil for a fresh taste. If you like heat, increase the red pepper flakes or add cayenne pepper. A touch of smoked paprika can add depth. Experiment with these spices to find your perfect mix! To keep your creamy broccoli cheddar quinoa casserole fresh, let it cool completely. Then, transfer it to an airtight container. This will help keep it moist and tasty. Store it in the fridge for up to four days. If you want to save it longer, freezing is a great option. Just make sure it is fully cooled before you freeze. When you're ready to enjoy your leftovers, reheat them in the oven. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the casserole in a baking dish. Cover it with foil to keep it from drying out. Heat for about 20 minutes or until it's warmed through. You can also microwave it. Just cover it and heat in short bursts, checking often to avoid overcooking. To freeze the casserole, cut it into portions. Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label the bags with the date. This makes it easy to know how long they’ve been frozen. Your casserole can stay good for up to three months in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. Yes, you can prepare this casserole ahead of time. Just follow the recipe steps but do not bake it. Cover the dish and store it in the fridge for up to two days. When ready to eat, bake it straight from the fridge. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. If you want to replace cream cheese, try using Greek yogurt or cottage cheese. Both options add creaminess and a bit of tang. You can also use a dairy-free cream cheese for a vegan option. Yes, quinoa is a great substitute for rice. It is packed with protein and fiber. Plus, quinoa cooks faster than rice. It gives a nice texture and absorbs flavors well, making your casserole even tastier. To keep this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs for the topping. Make sure your vegetable broth is also gluten-free. All other ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten-free. Absolutely! Frozen broccoli works well in this casserole. Just make sure to thaw and drain it before mixing. This will help keep the casserole from being too watery. This blog post covered how to make a delicious casserole with broccoli, quinoa, and cream cheese. We discussed ingredient selection, preparation steps, and tips for a creamier texture. You can modify the dish with proteins and spices, and learn to store leftovers effectively. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or friends, these tips will help you craft a tasty meal. Remember, cooking should be fun and creative, so feel free to make this recipe your own!

Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Quinoa Casserole

Savor the deliciousness of this Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Quinoa Casserole that’s packed with flavor and nutrition! Perfect for a cozy family dinner, this easy recipe combines quinoa, fresh broccoli, and creamy cheeses for a comforting dish everyone will love. With simple ingredients and quick prep, it’s a delightful meal that fits any occasion. Click through for the full recipe and elevate your dinner tonight!
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Ingredients
  

1 cup quinoa, rinsed

2 cups vegetable broth

2 cups fresh broccoli florets

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup Greek yogurt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup breadcrumbs (for topping)

2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions
 

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

    In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and cover. Simmer for about 15 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.

      In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and Greek yogurt. Mix until smooth and creamy.

        Add the cooked quinoa to the cream cheese mixture, stirring until well combined.

          Fold in the broccoli florets, half of the shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper.

            Transfer the mixture to a greased casserole dish (approximately 9x9 inches).

              Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top of the casserole. Then, top with breadcrumbs and drizzle with olive oil.

                Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.

                  Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving to set.

                    Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes | Servings: 6

                      - Presentation Tips: Serve warm, garnished with extra broccoli florets or a sprinkle of fresh herbs for a pop of color. Enjoy!