Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Recipe Card:

Prep - 15 mins | Cook - 45 mins | Total - 60 mins

Makes 8 Servings

Nutrition Facts - 276 calories, 13g protein, 18g fat, 22g carbs

Ingredients:

• 16 oz fresh broccoli florets
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups vegetable broth or water
• 1 cup quinoa (any color), rinsed and drained
• ¾ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
• 2-½ cups freshly grated cheddar
• cheese (shredded cheddar goat cheese is amazing also!)
• 1 cup unsweetened plain almond milk
  

For breadcrumb topping:

• ½ Tbsp butter
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 slice gluten-free bread

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.
2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Begin with roasting the broccoli: cut broccoli florets into bite sized pieces, transfer to the parchment lined baking sheet and toss with olive oil, until lightly coated on all sides. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and arrange in a single layer. Bake for about 20 minutes, until the broccoli is tender and begins caramelizing on the edges.
3. While broccoli is cooking, start the quinoa: Bring broth/water to boil in a medium pot. Add the quinoa, reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 17-20 minutes, or until all of the liquid has been absorbed. Cover and set aside to steam for 10 minutes.
4. To make breadcrumb topping: tear the slice of GF bread into bite-sized pieces and toss into a food processor or blender. Process until the bread has broken into small crumbs. In a small pan, over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant, stirring often and don’t allow to brown. Add the bread crumbs and cook 2-3 minutes until slightly browned and crisp. Set aside to cool.
5. Reduce oven heat to 350 F. Add salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to the pot of quinoa, and stir to combine. Set aside ¾ cup of cheese for later to top casserole, then add the rest of the cheese to the quinoa mixture. Pour in milk and stir until the cheese and milk are evenly incorporated into the quinoa, the cheese will not melt until placed in the oven.