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This Tacky Broccoli Quinoa Casserole is the last word dump-and-bake dinner, made with quinoa, chickpeas, and contemporary broccoli florets baked in a creamy sauce till bubbly. Vegan, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, and Oil-Free.
This Vegan Broccoli and Quinoa Casserole is the kind of creamy, “tacky” dish that can have everybody asking for a second scoop. The perfect half? It’s a real dump and bake, one-pan recipe beloved by youngsters and adults alike. Simply mix the healthful components, cowl the dish, and let the oven do the remaining!
Desk of Contents
A Tacky, Comforting Casserole
This Broccoli Quinoa Casserole is a comforting meal you can also make for a Sunday dinner, meal prep, or when the very last thing you’re feeling like doing is cooking. It’s like a lighter, extra nourishing tackle my Tacky Broccoli Rice Casserole however makes use of quinoa as an alternative of rice (good day, additional plant protein!).
The quinoa is mixed with broccoli and chickpeas, tossed in a creamy sauce, after which topped with gooey vegan cheese. After solely quarter-hour of easy prep, the oven takes over and you may sit again and chill out! You’ll be left with a healthful dinner with all of the goodness of a “tacky” consolation meals in beneath 1 hour.
Substances for Broccoli Quinoa Casserole
This healthful vegan casserole combines 9 easy components in a baking dish:
- Broth: the sauce that cooks the quinoa and veggies begins with both vegetable broth or imitation “hen” broth. I’m personally a giant fan of my Home made Vegetable Broth as a result of it helps me minimize down on meals waste.
- Coconut Milk: full-fat canned coconut milk is the important thing to creating this casserole good and creamy. Keep away from gentle coconut milk or the milk from a carton, if attainable. They gained’t provide the identical wealthy, velvety texture.
- Chickpeas: the principle supply of plant protein on this casserole. Each canned chickpeas and chickpeas cooked from dry will work properly.
- Broccoli: contemporary florets are greatest right here, as they change into tender however nonetheless keep a slight chunk after baking.
- Quinoa: this naturally gluten-free, protein-packed entire grain cooks instantly within the casserole to bulk it up.
- Vegan Cheese: this broccoli casserole will get its “cheesiness” from a prime layer of gooey melted vegan cheese shreds. Go for cheddar or mozzarella shreds, or be happy to omit the cheese solely (the casserole will nonetheless be creamy and comforting, simply much less tacky).
The right way to Make Broccoli Quinoa Casserole
- Mix the broth, coconut milk, dietary yeast, and garlic powder in a small saucepan, then warmth to a boil over excessive warmth.
- In the meantime, add the quinoa, shallot, and chickpeas to the casserole dish. Sprinkle the broccoli evenly excessive.
- Pour the recent broth and coconut milk combination over the casserole and combine to mix. Cowl the dish with foil and bake the casserole till the quinoa is absolutely cooked.
- Take away it from the oven, sprinkle the cheese on prime, and place the casserole beneath the broiler to soften the shreds. Serve heat and revel in.
Caitlin’s Cooking Ideas
- Rinse the quinoa earlier than cooking. Quinoa is coated with a naturally bitter-tasting coating known as saponin, which must be rinsed away earlier than you prepare dinner the grains. I rinse mine beneath chilly water in a fine-mesh sieve for a minute or two, gently rubbing the grains with my fingers to make sure a clear, nutty taste within the completed casserole.
- Layer the components strategically. For even cooking, layer the quinoa, chickpeas, and shallot on the underside of the casserole dish, and the broccoli florets on prime. Submerging the quinoa within the liquid will be sure that the grains prepare dinner evenly whereas the broccoli turns into comfortable but tender.
- For completely cooked quinoa: Your quinoa must be tender however nonetheless barely chewy by the point the casserole comes out of the oven. If it’s not fairly there but, simply cowl the dish once more and bake for a further 5 to 10 minutes.
Serving Solutions
This broccoli quinoa casserole is hearty sufficient to face alone as a predominant dish, however it additionally pairs properly with a crisp salad, like this On a regular basis Kale Salad, or with easy veggie sides, similar to my Dijon Garlic Roasted Potatoes or these 15-Minute Garlic Inexperienced Beans. Serve it for dinner after a busy weekend or throughout these evenings while you simply don’t really feel like cooking!
You can even make this broccoli quinoa bake for meal prep. One serving ought to fill you up for a couple of hours, or you may prime it with my Rosemary Garlic Tofu to stretch it a bit additional.
If you happen to’re searching for easier dump and bake vegan casserole recipes, you’ll additionally love this Vegan Chickpea & Rice Casserole, this No-Boil Baked Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff, and this Vegan Spinach & Artichoke Casserole!
The right way to Retailer Quinoa Casserole
Leftover quinoa broccoli casserole will preserve in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days or within the freezer for as much as 2 months.
Reheat the person servings within the microwave or a bigger batch in a 350°F oven for 15 to twenty minutes or till heated by.
Substitutions and Variations
- Coconut Milk Substitute: If you happen to choose to not use coconut milk, cashew cream is a superb various that can yield an analogous creamy texture.
- Quinoa Substitute: Equal components white rice or brown rice will work instead of quinoa right here. For white rice, bake at 375°F for 45 minutes. For brown rice, bake at 400°F for about 60 minutes. Simply be certain that the rice is rinsed completely and absolutely submerged within the liquid earlier than baking to assist it steam correctly.
- Chickpea Substitute: If you happen to’d like a change from chickpeas, attempt white beans as an alternative (like cannellini or navy beans) or use chopped vegan chicken-style nuggets or cutlets for a heartier, “meatier” model.
- Vegetable Add-In Choices: Together with the shallot, add diced bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, carrots, corn kernels, or peas for additional colour and taste. You can even swap half of the broccoli florets for cauliflower.
Recipe FAQs
Technically, sure, however I don’t advocate it. Frozen broccoli releases numerous water because it bakes, which may make the casserole soggy and dilute its creaminess. If you happen to do use frozen broccoli, thaw it first and pat it dry with paper towels earlier than layering it into the dish.
Mushy quinoa is the results of overcooking. To stop overcooked, mushy quinoa, don’t stir the components within the casserole a lot earlier than baking, and take away it from the oven as quickly because the quinoa is comfortable and fluffy.
Sure, you should utilize 3 cups of cooked chickpeas as an alternative of canned right here. The dry chickpeas will have to be simmered in water till tender earlier than they’re mixed with the opposite components.
Get pleasure from! If you happen to make this recipe and determine to share it on Fb or Instagram, don’t overlook to tag me @FromMyBowl + #FromMyBowl! I might additionally like it if you happen to might depart a remark beneath with a recipe ranking! Thanks for the assist 😊
For the Casserole:
- 32 ounces canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained (2 cans or about 3 cups cooked)
- 4 cups contemporary broccoli florets (about 12 ounces)
- 1 cup dry quinoa
- 1 shallot finely diced
- 4 ounces dairy-free cheese (elective)
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Prep: Preheat the oven to 375F and set a 9×13” casserole dish (with a lid if attainable) apart.
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Boil the Broth: Add the broth, coconut milk, dietary yeast, and garlic powder to a small saucepan and stir properly. Cowl and convey to a boil over excessive warmth.
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Layer the Casserole: Within the meantime add the quinoa, shallot, and chickpeas to the underside of the pan and blend properly. Sprinkle the broccoli excessive of the quinoa combination.
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Mix: As soon as the liquid involves a boil, fastidiously pour it over the casserole. Use a spoon or spatula to softly combine if wanted, however attempt to preserve the quinoa absolutely submerged and the broccoli on prime. Cowl the casserole with a lid, or wrap tightly in aluminum foil.
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Bake: Bake within the center rack of the oven for 35 minutes. The quinoa must be absolutely cooked; if not, return to the oven and bake for a further 5 to 10 minutes.
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Combine: Take away from the oven and provides the casserole an excellent combine. In case you are including cheese, sprinkle the cheese excessive of the casserole. Return the casserole to the highest rack of the oven and broil, with the door barely ajar, for two to three minutes, till the cheese has melted.
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Serve: Serve heat; retailer any leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days.
- White Rice / Brown Rice: You may make this recipe with equal components white rice or brown rice as an alternative of quinoa. For white rice, bake at 375F for 45 minutes. For brown rice, bake at 400F for 60 minutes.
