Healthy food meets comfort food in my Cheesy Broccoli Quinoa Casserole with kale!
Happy almost end of January!
I've really been feeling comfort food this month. Food that makes you feel good when the weather is a little shady.... like 14 inches of snow shady...
Food that feels indulgent....
Cheesy casserole-y goodness.
This Cheesy Broccoli and Quinoa Casserole tastes reminiscent of a classic rice and broccoli casserole... the one with the yucky can of soup.
But my version uses healthy quinoa and packs a nutritional punch with some extra kale.
So, yes it's still cheesy goodness... but with a healthy Running in a Skirt twist.
I like to serve this as a side dish OR a vegetarian main course. The quinoa makes sure it is balanced with enough protein.
And it has just enough cheese to get all the flavor, without going crazy.
It's also a great dish for winter because it uses vegetables that are readily available year-round! I buy a bag of the already chopped up broccoli florets to save time.
This is simply healthy comfort food at it's best! Enjoy!
Cheesy Broccoli and Quinoa Casserole with Kale
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 2 ½ cups vegetable broth, divided
- 12 ounce bag broccoli florets, about a 1 ½ cups
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small sweet onion, diced
- ½ teaspoon salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon pepper, divided
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 packed cups chopped kale
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon dried mustard
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions
- Cook quinoa in 2 cups of vegetable broth according to package instructions subbing the broth for water.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Coat a 9x9 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Steam broccoli in microwave for 2 minutes.
- Saute the onion in the olive oil over medium heat until soft and starting to brown. Season with a pinch of the salt and pepper.
- Add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the kale and last ½ cup of broth. Add another pinch of salt and pepper.
- Allow the kale to cook down for about 3 minutes.
- Add the broccoli and another pinch of salt and pepper.
- In a bowl combine the eggs and milk. Beat well.
- Fold in 1 ½ cups of the cheese. Add the dried mustard.
- Slowly add the vegetable mixture to the egg mixture. Don't add it all at once or the heat could cook the eggs early.
- Put in a baking dish and top with the last ½ cup of cheese.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a knife comes out clean.
- Optional: Turn on broiler to brown the cheese.
Nutrition
Thanks for stopping by today! Come back tomorrow for the 3rd Best of the Blogs Linkup. Link up your top post of the month or a wrap up of the top post on the month on your site! It's a great way to see the best the blogs had to offer all month.
Your turn?
What's your favorite comfort food?
Are you coming to the linkup tomorrow? 🙂 I know you WANT to!
Carol says
Yummy and healthy. I just tried it today. In the procedure, I did not see where the cooked quinoa is going to be added though.
Sarah- A Whisk and Two Wands says
Looks good, love all the veggies packed into it!
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
I definitely need to try this! I love cooking with quinoa but I usually use it in salads. I like the idea of using it in a casserole. Thanks for the inspiration!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Michele!
Emily says
That looks amazing! I'm adding it to my recipes to try right now! I posted a recipe for Tex Mex Quinoa on Friday. I'd love for you to check it out!
JulieWunder says
Thanks you for adding it. I hope you get to make it. I'm a bit behind on comments, but I'm heading over there right now to check it out.
Jess @hellotofit says
Ultimate comfort food!! I love that you used quinoa instead of, say, pasta 🙂 I LOVE pasta, but sometimes am looking to change it up!
JulieWunder says
Oh yes, me too! Love me some pasta-- but this is a nice change of pace.
Sarah says
Oh comfort food at it's best!! I love when you have comfort food that warms you up and makes you feel good, even after eating it! Wonder if this would pass for a hot dish? Haha! That is what we call "casseroles here in MN and my hubby just got me a shirt that says hot + dish and then was talking about how I hadn't made one in awhile. I think what he really wants is tator tot hotdish but I have everything for this.
Thank you for linking up for Meatless Monday!
JulieWunder says
Hahah!!! Yes, my hubby would take tator tots too! I just serve him this and say "don't ask me what's in it" 🙂
Mary Ellen @ VNutrition says
This looks sooo good! I love how you used both broccoli and kale in the recipe. These are the kind of recipes that are great when you need a little comfort. I've actually been working on a dairy-free quinoa and "cheese" casserole myself.
JulieWunder says
Interesting!!! Let me know when you get it up!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says
OMG, yum! I need to make this asap!!
JulieWunder says
I hope you enjoy it!
Annmarie says
Love that you used kale in here- looks so good!
JulieWunder says
Just a little extra vitamins thrown in the mix!
Mandi Korn says
Looks yummy and as always healthy, thanks for sharing:o)
JulieWunder says
Thanks Mandi!
Carole from Carole's Chatter says
Hi Julie, this would be a super contribution to Food on Friday: Cheese over at Carole's Chatter. Please do bring it over. Cheers
JulieWunder says
I'm so sorry I missed it!!! I need to try to remember to add your linkup to my list!
Heather@hungryforbalance says
This reminds me of a (very unhealthy) broccoli casserole my mom used to make when I was a kid. I love this healthier version! I think even my mom would appreciate it!
JulieWunder says
That's exactly what I was going for 🙂
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
YUMMMM!!! this looks like perfection. I bet this would be great for breakfast, too!
JulieWunder says
Yes! It would really be great for any meal!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
ooh right up my alley for sure! Yum
JulieWunder says
Yes! I craved this for lunch for days!
Crystal Renaud says
This looks great! I have to admit I have never tried Quinoa but I love Kale. I will have to make this!
JulieWunder says
Quinoa is so good and so easy!
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
I want this for dinner!! Wanna ship me a casserole pan of it? ; )
JulieWunder says
Yes! 🙂