Description
This Cheesy Quinoa recipe offers a creamy, flavorful dish made with tender quinoa and a rich cheese sauce. It can be prepared using either the Instant Pot or stovetop method, making it versatile and easy to fit into any kitchen routine. Perfect as a comforting side dish or a satisfying vegetarian main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Quinoa ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 1 cup water (for Instant Pot method)
- ¼ tsp sea salt (for Instant Pot method)
Cheese sauce ingredients for Cheesy Quinoa
- 1 ½ tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (non-gmo)
- 1 cup half & half cream
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt full fat
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp dried mustard
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the quinoa: For Instant Pot, rinse quinoa thoroughly, then add quinoa, water, and sea salt into the Instant Pot. Stir to combine, secure the lid, seal the valve, and cook on high pressure for 1 minute, then let it natural release. For stovetop, rinse quinoa well and cook according to package directions with the proper water-to-quinoa ratio.
- Make the cheese sauce: While quinoa cooks, melt butter over medium heat on the stovetop. Add cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried mustard. Stir continuously to form a roux.
- Thicken the sauce: Gradually stir in half & half cream and Greek yogurt. Continue stirring for about 4 to 6 minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Finish the cheese sauce: Remove from heat and stir in shredded sharp cheddar cheese until fully melted and combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine quinoa and cheese sauce: Add the cooked quinoa to the cheese sauce and stir well to ensure everything is evenly coated and creamy.
Notes
- Reheat leftovers in the oven at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes until creamy and warm.
- Add a little water while reheating to adjust the texture to a creamier consistency if desired.
- Rinsing quinoa before cooking is important to remove natural bitterness and improve flavor.
- Use full-fat Greek yogurt to maintain the richness and creaminess of the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
