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Cheesy Vegan Broccoli + Quinoa Bake

Cheesy Vegan Broccoli + Quinoa Bake

Chelsea Colbath
This protein-packed vegan meal is the perfect winter comfort food! It's warm, bubbly, cheesy, loaded with broccoli, and pleases everyone, vegan or not!
Time 45 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 1 very large or 2 small broccoli crowns
  • 1 small onion yellow/white
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups raw cashews soaked in cold water overnight or boiling water for 30 minutes
  • 2 cups water
  • 3/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs for topping (optional)

Instructions
 

  • 1. Turn on oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook quinoa according to package directions.
  • 2. While quinoa cooks, cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces (about 1-2 inches in size), and peel and dice the onion and garlic.
  • 3. Heat a skillet over medium heat, and add onion and olive oil. Sautee for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are slightly brown. Add garlic and cook another minute before turning off the heat and dumping the onion, garlic, and olive oil mixture into the bowl of a food processor or high-powered blender.
  • 4. Add all remaining ingredients to the food processor (except breadcrumbs) and puree on high until smooth and creamy. Taste and add more salt or pepper, as needed.
  • 5. Put cooked quinoa, diced (raw) broccoli, and cheese sauce into an oven-safe dish (at least 8-cup capacity) and stir well to coat everything in the sauce. Top with breadcrumbs (if using) and add an extra pinch of salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil on top.
  • 6. Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden and bubbling. Serve immediately, or let cool completely and store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Notes

This recipe makes a lot of food; definitely enough to feed 4 as a complete meal, or 8 as a side dish. I loved having leftovers in the fridge for quick + easy lunches all week long!