Broccoli Quinoa Hearty Casserole (Print)

A wholesome dish combining chicken, quinoa, broccoli, and cheese baked for a comforting meal.

# Components:

→ Grains & Base

01 - 2 cups cooked quinoa (about 3/4 cup dry)

→ Protein

02 - 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
03 - 1 large egg

→ Vegetables

04 - 3 cups broccoli florets, steamed until just tender

→ Dairy

05 - 2 cups shredded cheese, divided (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend)
06 - 1/2 cup chicken stock (low sodium if preferred)

→ Seasonings

07 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9 x 9-inch baking dish with oil or nonstick spray.
02 - If not already prepared, cook quinoa according to package directions and let cool slightly.
03 - Steam broccoli florets in 1/2 inch water, covered, for 3 to 5 minutes until bright green and tender. Drain thoroughly.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked quinoa, cooked chicken, steamed broccoli, egg, chicken stock, 1 cup shredded cheese, dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until evenly combined.
05 - Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and press down gently to create an even layer.
06 - Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese evenly over the top.
07 - Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
08 - Remove foil and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
09 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Portion into bowls and enjoy hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's genuinely filling enough to satisfy everyone at the table, no one's asking for seconds just to be polite.
  • The prep work is mostly just combining things you've already cooked, which means less stress and more time to actually breathe.
  • One dish handles breakfast leftovers, lunch boxes, and casual dinners without breaking a sweat.
02 -
  • If your broccoli is oversteamed before it goes into the casserole, you're essentially baking already-soft vegetables, which turns mushy and disappointing—a quick steam is genuinely better.
  • The egg is doing real work here as a binder, so don't be tempted to skip it thinking the cheese alone will hold everything together, because it won't.
03 -
  • Cool your quinoa slightly before mixing so the egg doesn't scramble, but warm quinoa actually helps the cheese melt more evenly throughout the casserole.
  • Drain your steamed broccoli thoroughly on paper towels—excess water is the silent enemy of a casserole's texture.
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