Better Broccoli Casserole
Broccoli casserole made better with roasted broccoli, cheddar cheese, creamy quinoa and toasted bread crumbs. This healthy broccoli casserole is delicious!
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on August 29, 2024
Did you know that cheddar cheese isnโt actually orange? Itโs really white, and they add orange coloring to make it orange. Weโve been duped all along. I know.
I opted for cheddar without coloring, so this broccoli cheddar casserole may not look like the kind you grew up eating. Itโs also more redeeming than typical Midwestern broccoli cheddar casseroles, while still being gloriously cheesy and creamy.
You wonโt find mayonnaise, cream of mushroom soup, or annoying Bรฉchamel sauce to make in this healthy broccoli casserole recipe. You donโt need it!
Casseroles arenโt my typical fare, but they do hit the spot on cold, gray winter days. Plus, they make for great leftovers. Hooray for meals that keep on giving!
Watch How to Make Broccoli Casserole
The Best Broccoli Casserole
- My broccoli cheddar version here features tons of caramelized roasted broccoli for extra flavor, plus some milk and sharp cheddar cheese.
- Nutritious quinoa magically blends into creamy oblivion while itโs in the oven.
- Top all of that with some garlicky breadcrumbs and you have one amazing dish that makes for great leftovers.
You can be fancy and call it a โgrah-tahnnnnโ in your best French accent, or announce it as a โhot dishโ in your finest Minnesotan. Either way, itโs a stellar broccoli casserole.
Please let me know how this broccoli casserole recipe turns out for you in the comments!ย I always love to hear from you.
Craving more lightened-up comfort foods? Here are a few of my favorites:
- Real Stovetop Mac and Cheese
- Spaghetti Squash โPizzaโ Bowls
- Best Vegetable Lasagna
- Roasted Veggie Enchilada Casserole
For even more hearty dinner recipes, be sure to check out my cookbook!
Better Broccoli Casserole
Broccoli casserole made better with roasted fresh broccoli, cheddar cheese, creamy quinoa and irresistible, garlicky whole grain bread crumbs. This healthy casserole is easy to make and tastes amazing! Recipe yields 6 to 8 servings.
Ingredients
- 2 cups vegetable broth or water
- 1 cup quinoa (any color), rinsed under running water in a mesh sieve for a minute and drained
- 16 ounces broccoli florets, either pre-packaged or sliced from 2 large bunches of broccoli
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ยพ teaspoon salt
- 10 twists of freshly ground black pepper
- ยผ teaspoon red pepper flakes, omit if sensitive to spice
- 8 ounces (about 2 ยฝ cups) freshly grated cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup low-fat milk (cowโs milk tastes best but unsweetened plain almond milk works, too)
- ยฝ tablespoon butter or 1 ยฝ teaspoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, pressed or minced
- 1 slice whole wheat bread (substitute gluten-free bread for a gluten-free casserole)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- To cook the quinoa: Bring the vegetable broth or water to boil in a heavy-bottomed, medium-sized pot. Add the quinoa, reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 17 to 20 minutes, or until all of the liquid is absorbed. Cover and set aside to steam for 10 minutes.
- To roast the broccoli: Slice any large broccoli florets in half to make bite-sized pieces. Transfer the broccoli to your prepared baking sheet and toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil, until lightly coated on all sides. Sprinkle with salt and arrange in a single layer. Bake for about 20 minutes, until the broccoli is tender and starting to caramelize on the edges.
- To make the breadcrumbs: Tear your piece of bread into bite-sized pieces and toss them 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. Add the bread crumbs and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until slightly browned and crisp. Set aside to cool. (If you cooked your bread crumbs in a cast iron skillet, transfer them to a bowl to prevent them from burning.)
- Reduce the oven heat to 350 degrees. Add the salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to the pot of quinoa, and stir to combine. Set aside ยพ cup of the cheese for later, then add the rest of the cheese to the pot. Pour in the milk and stir until the cheese and milk are evenly incorporated in the quinoa.
- Pour the cheesy quinoa into a 9-inch square baking dish and top with the roasted broccoli. Stir until the broccoli is evenly mixed in with the quinoa. Sprinkle the surface of the casserole with the reserved ยพ cup cheese, then sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top.
- Bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes, until the top is golden. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 4 days. Gently reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
Notes
Recipe adapted from my creamy roasted Brussels sprout and quinoa gratin, which was originally adapted from The High-Protein Vegetarian Cookbook by Katie Parker of Veggie and the Beast.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionistโs advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
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I made the broccoli to bring to a health conscious Thanksgiving dinner. I did make some changes. I steamed fresh broccoli, left out the red paper flakes and used one cup of Laughing cow cheddar cheese. I used wheat crackers because thatโs what I had on hand. I made a 9ร13 pan and only a small square was left. Definitely a hit and delicious.
This looks great but Iโm wondering if I can make it ahead and freeze it?
Hi Deb, yes this freezes well.
This is so good!! Next time I make it I donโt think I am going to add the red pepper flakes though
Love this recipe. The only change I made โ and I guess itโs not a small one โ is to use panko bread crumbs instead of home made bread crumbs (mostly because I was feeling lazy). I really liked it with that crunch.
We followed your recipie as always to the letter and made your Better Broccoli Casserole for Christmas dinnerโฆand again, as always it was DELICIOUS! We absolutely loved it, if possible it exceeded our expectations and we have enough for leftovers which I am already looking forward to enjoying. Thank you Kate, you are such a pleasure and your recipes are exceptional! We will be, first time, making your Christmas Enchiladas for today, day after Christmas, FUN!
This casserole is delicious. Used leftover gf fried onions instead of breadcrumbs and subbed the milk with water and half and half. Husband is not a huge fan of broccoli or quinoa but he enjoyed this recipe. Thanks!
What do substitute for the quinoa as I am allergic to it?
Hi James, I have also had success making this with brown rice.
Oh man, my people love this, people who hate quoina, love this. People who tolerate broccoli, love this.
Just made this for the first time. I do love the less-healthy version of this casserole made with rice. This version is so delicious and packed with protein! Cooking the quinoa in broth and roasting the broccoli both really add great flavor. I used tricolor quinoa. And, Italian breadcrumbs from a canโฆ which was great, but Iโll bet homemade breadcrumbs make it even better. Iโll definitely make it again.