Easy Creamy Broccoli and Quinoa Bake for Cozy Dinner

This Easy Creamy Broccoli Quinoa Bake is the coziest dinner you’ll make all week. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to keeping it creamy and preventing a soggy mess. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Green Vegetable Soup Recipe for Healthy Dinner and Easy Smoked Baby Potatoes with Beer Mustard and BBQ Rub.

What You'll Need for Easy Creamy Broccoli and Quinoa Bake for Cozy Dinner

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Optional: Breadcrumbs
• Optional: Additional cheese

How to Make Easy Creamy Broccoli and Quinoa Bake for Cozy Dinner

1. Cook quinoa: Rinse quinoa and cook according to package instructions. Set aside.
2. Steam broccoli: Steam broccoli florets until tender. Set aside.
3. Make cheese sauce: In a saucepan, whisk together milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Heat over medium heat until the mixture begins to bubble. Stir in 1/2 cup of shredded cheese until melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
4. Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, steamed broccoli, and cheese sauce. Mix well.
5. Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer quinoa and broccoli mixture to a greased 8×8-inch baking dish. Top with remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese and breadcrumbs (if using). Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Storing & Reheating Easy Creamy Broccoli and Quinoa Bake for Cozy Dinner

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: This dish can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake.

Freezing Easy Creamy Broccoli and Quinoa Bake for Cozy Dinner

Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For a healthier version, use Greek yogurt instead of some of the milk.
• Best substitution: You can substitute the broccoli with cauliflower or spinach.
• Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake.
• Scaling: This recipe can be doubled or halved depending on your needs.
• Troubleshooting: If the bake is too dry, add more milk or cream to the cheese sauce.

Easy Creamy Broccoli and Quinoa Bake for Cozy Dinner

⏱

Prep

15 mins

🍳

Cook

30 mins

⏳

Total

45 mins

🍽

Serves

4 servings

🥗

Diet

Gluten-free

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Seasonings

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Optional Toppings

• Breadcrumbs
• Additional cheese

Instructions

1. Cook quinoa: Rinse quinoa and cook according to package instructions. Set aside.
2. Steam broccoli: Steam broccoli florets until tender. Set aside.
3. Make cheese sauce: In a saucepan, whisk together milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Heat over medium heat until the mixture begins to bubble. Stir in 1/2 cup of shredded cheese until melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
4. Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, steamed broccoli, and cheese sauce. Mix well.
5. Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer quinoa and broccoli mixture to a greased 8×8-inch baking dish. Top with remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese and breadcrumbs (if using). Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Notes

• Chef tip: For a healthier version, use Greek yogurt instead of some of the milk.
• Best substitution: You can substitute the broccoli with cauliflower or spinach.
• Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake.
• Scaling: This recipe can be doubled or halved depending on your needs.
• Troubleshooting: If the bake is too dry, add more milk or cream to the cheese sauce.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
• Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
• Make ahead: This dish can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 15g
• Fat: 12g
• Carbs: 40g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Cholesterol: 35mg
• Sat. Fat: 7g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Easy Creamy Broccoli and Quinoa Bake for Cozy Dinner FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Easy Creamy Broccoli and Quinoa Bake for Cozy Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!