Roasted Broccoli Cheddar Quinoa Bowl (Printable)

Wholesome bowl with roasted broccoli, quinoa, sharp cheddar, and crispy garlic crumbs.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
02 - 2 cups water or vegetable broth

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 large head broccoli, cut into florets (about 4 cups)
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

→ Cheese

06 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

→ Garlic Crumbs

07 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

→ Seasonings

11 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)
12 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

→ Toppings

14 - 1 avocado, sliced (optional)
15 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F.
02 - Toss broccoli florets with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika if using. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, stirring once, until tender and lightly browned.
03 - Bring quinoa and water or broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
04 - Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add breadcrumbs and cook, stirring, until golden and crisp, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in chopped parsley if using. Set aside.
05 - In the last 5 minutes of roasting, scatter the sliced red onion over the broccoli to soften slightly.
06 - Divide quinoa among four bowls. Top with roasted broccoli and onion, shredded cheddar, and garlic crumbs. Add avocado slices and drizzle with lemon juice if desired.
07 - Serve immediately, allowing the warm quinoa and broccoli to slightly melt the cheddar.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The warm quinoa and roasted broccoli soften the sharp cheddar just enough to make each bite feel like a hug
  • Garlic crumbs transform a simple grain bowl into something restaurant worthy and absolutely addictive
02 -
  • Do not crowd the broccoli on the baking sheet or it will steam instead of roast
  • The garlic crumbs can burn quickly, so keep an eye on them and stir constantly
03 -
  • Use a box grater to shred your own cheddar for better melting and flavor
  • Let the quinoa rest covered for the full 5 minutes, it makes a noticeable difference in texture

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