Are you looking for a dinner that feels like a warm hug? Something that everyone at the table will enjoy without any fuss? I totally get it. Weeknight meals can be a challenge. You want something tasty but also simple to prepare.
Let me introduce you to this amazing Broccoli Cheese Casserole. It’s a complete meal in one dish, packed with protein, grains, and veggies. It’s cheesy, comforting, and surprisingly easy to put together. This is one of those great Broccoli And Cheese Recipes you’ll make again and again.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, this dish is incredibly satisfying. The creamy cheese sauce mixed with tender chicken, broccoli florets, and wholesome quinoa is just so good. It’s the kind of comfort food that makes you feel good from the inside out.
It’s also a fantastic one pan wonder. Well, almost one pan. Cleanup is minimal, which is always a huge win for busy evenings. You get a balanced meal without a mountain of dishes to tackle afterward. What’s not to love about that?
Plus, this Broccoli Cheese Casserole recipe is very forgiving. You can easily make swaps based on what you have in your pantry. It’s a wonderful base recipe that invites a little creativity.
And let’s talk about that crunchy topping. The toasted Panko breadcrumbs add a wonderful textural contrast to the creamy casserole beneath. It’s that little finishing touch that makes the whole dish feel special.
Ingredients
Here is everything you will need to create this fantastic meal. The ingredients are simple and easy to find at your local grocery store.
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 head broccoli, cut into florets and finely chopped
- 2 tablespoon olive oil, divided
- ⅓ cup Panko
- 3 boneless, skinless thin sliced chicken breasts
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups 2% milk
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- ⅓ cup Greek yogurt
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to get cooking? Follow these simple steps to make your own delicious Broccoli Cheese Casserole. I’ll walk you through everything.
Step 1: Get Your Oven And Quinoa Ready
First things first, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Go ahead and lightly oil a nine by thirteen inch baking dish or give it a quick coat with nonstick spray. This will prevent the casserole from sticking.
Next, cook your quinoa. In a large saucepan, bring two cups of water to a boil and add the quinoa. Cook it according to the package directions. It usually takes about 15 minutes.
During the last five minutes of the quinoa cooking, add the chopped broccoli right on top. Cover the pan and let the broccoli steam until it’s tender. This is a neat trick to cook both at once!
Step 2: Toast The Panko Topping
While the quinoa is cooking, let’s make the crunchy topping. Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the Panko breadcrumbs and stir them around until they are golden brown and toasty. This should take about three minutes. Once they are done, set them aside.
Step 3: Cook The Chicken
Using the same skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Season the chicken breasts with a little salt and pepper. Place them in the hot skillet and cook for about three to four minutes on each side. The chicken should be cooked through.
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, dice it into bite size pieces and set it aside. This is a key part of our Broccoli Recipes Casserole.
Step 4: Make The Creamy Cheese Sauce
Now for the best part, the sauce! In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about a minute until it’s lightly browned. This little mixture is called a roux, and it’s what will thicken our sauce.
Slowly and gradually, whisk in the milk. Keep whisking constantly to avoid any lumps. Cook the sauce for three to four minutes until it starts to thicken up nicely. You want it to coat the back of a spoon.
Step 5: Combine Everything Together
It’s time to bring it all together. To the skillet with the sauce, stir in the cooked quinoa and broccoli mixture, the diced chicken, one cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, and the Greek yogurt. The yogurt adds a nice tang and extra creaminess.
Stir everything until it’s well combined. Give it a taste and season with more salt and pepper if you think it needs it. This mixture is the heart of your Broccoli Cheese Casserole.
Step 6: Bake And Serve Your Casserole
Carefully spread the broccoli mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining half cup of cheese over the top. Now, place it in the preheated oven.
Bake for about five minutes, or just until the cheese on top has melted and is bubbly. Your kitchen will smell absolutely wonderful. Serve it immediately, and don’t forget to sprinkle that toasted Panko on top for a nice crunch!
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers of this Broccoli Cheese Casserole, storing them is easy. Allow the casserole to cool completely to room temperature first.
Then, transfer it to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and tasty for up to four days. It’s great for lunches the next day.
To reheat, you can use the microwave for a quick warm up. Or, for best results, place it in an oven safe dish and bake at 350 degrees F until it’s heated through. This helps keep the topping crunchy.
Tips
Want to customize your casserole? Here are a few simple ideas. Feel free to use frozen broccoli florets if you don’t have fresh ones. Just make sure to thaw them and pat them dry to remove excess water.
You can also swap the quinoa for another grain. Cooked brown rice, white rice, or even farro would work well in this dish. Use whatever you have on hand.
For an even creamier sauce, you can use whole milk instead of 2% milk. A splash of heavy cream would also add some extra richness to your Broccoli Recipes Casserole.
Don’t be afraid to try different cheeses. A mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack would be delicious, or you could add some Gruyere for a nutty flavor. Many Broccoli And Cheese Recipes are flexible.
If you are looking for a low carb option, you could try making a Keto Broccoli Casserole. Simply replace the quinoa with cauliflower rice and use a keto friendly thickener like xanthan gum for the sauce instead of flour.
Conclusion
There you have it! A simple, wholesome, and incredibly delicious Broccoli Cheese Casserole that is sure to become a new family favorite. It’s a comforting dish that works for any night of the week.
This recipe proves that homemade meals don’t have to be complicated to be good. Give it a try soon. I am sure you will love this satisfying and cheesy casserole as much as my family does. Enjoy every bite!
FAQ
Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can. You can assemble the entire casserole without baking it. Cover it tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you are ready to eat, just bake it as directed. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Can I Freeze This Casserole?
Absolutely. For the best results, assemble the casserole but do not bake it. Cover it tightly with both plastic wrap and foil. It can be frozen for up to three months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before baking. I suggest leaving the Panko topping off until you bake it.
What Should I Serve With This Broccoli Cheese Casserole?
This Broccoli Cheese Casserole is a complete meal on its own. However, a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette would be a wonderful, fresh accompaniment. Some garlic bread would also be great for soaking up any extra cheese sauce.
Is This Recipe Gluten Free?
It can easily be made gluten free. Quinoa is naturally gluten free. You would need to use a gluten free all purpose flour blend to make the sauce. Also, make sure to use gluten free Panko breadcrumbs or crush some gluten free crackers for the topping.
Broccoli Chicken & Cheese Casserole
A comforting and hearty Broccoli Chicken & Cheese Casserole, this one-dish meal combines tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and wholesome quinoa in a creamy, cheesy sauce, topped with a satisfying crunch. A perfect weeknight dinner for the family.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- First things first, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Go ahead and lightly oil a nine by thirteen inch baking dish or give it a quick coat with nonstick spray. This will prevent the casserole from sticking. Next, cook your quinoa. In a large saucepan, bring two cups of water to a boil and add the quinoa. Cook it according to the package directions. It usually takes about 15 minutes. During the last five minutes of the quinoa cooking, add the chopped broccoli right on top. Cover the pan and let the broccoli steam until it’s tender. This is a neat trick to cook both at once!
- While the quinoa is cooking, let’s make the crunchy topping. Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the Panko breadcrumbs and stir them around until they are golden brown and toasty. This should take about three minutes. Once they are done, set them aside.
- Using the same skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Season the chicken breasts with a little salt and pepper. Place them in the hot skillet and cook for about three to four minutes on each side. The chicken should be cooked through. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, dice it into bite size pieces and set it aside.
- Now for the best part, the sauce! In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about a minute until it’s lightly browned. This little mixture is called a roux, and it’s what will thicken our sauce. Slowly and gradually, whisk in the milk. Keep whisking constantly to avoid any lumps. Cook the sauce for three to four minutes until it starts to thicken up nicely. You want it to coat the back of a spoon.
- It’s time to bring it all together. To the skillet with the sauce, stir in the cooked quinoa and broccoli mixture, the diced chicken, one cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, and the Greek yogurt. The yogurt adds a nice tang and extra creaminess. Stir everything until it’s well combined. Give it a taste and season with more salt and pepper if you think it needs it.
- Carefully spread the broccoli mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining half cup of cheese over the top. Now, place it in the preheated oven. Bake for about five minutes, or just until the cheese on top has melted and is bubbly. Your kitchen will smell absolutely wonderful. Serve it immediately, and don’t forget to sprinkle that toasted Panko on top for a nice crunch!
Notes
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat in the microwave or oven (at 350°F) until heated through for best results, maintaining a crunchy topping.
Feel free to use frozen broccoli florets (thawed and patted dry) or swap quinoa for brown rice, white rice, or farro. For an even creamier sauce, use whole milk or a splash of heavy cream.
Experiment with different cheeses like Monterey Jack or Gruyere. For a low-carb version, replace quinoa with cauliflower rice and use a keto-friendly thickener for the sauce.
To make ahead, assemble the casserole without baking, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add a few extra minutes to baking time. For freezing, assemble without baking, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
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