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Quinoa Mac and Cheese

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Quinoa Mac and Cheese - A lightened up, protein packed version of the classic Mac and Cheese. It is much healthier but tastes surprisingly like the real thing! TheGarlicDiaries.com

Let me just start out by saying that I was totally blown away by how much this tasted like actual mac and cheese.

It tasted just like it!! Which brings me to the conclusion that mac and cheese is alllllll about the sauce. Because if it tastes just as good with quinoa as it does with macaroni, it has to be about the sauce, right??

That is my theory anyway. Which I obviously will have to test many more times just to make sure I’m right.

What a hard life….

Let me also start out by saying it’s FfffRRRRiiiidddDDDaaaAAAyyyYYYY!!!! Had to go back to my middle school roots there of capital/lowercase mixing (all the cool kids were doing it).

Fridays are SO much more exciting to me now that I am working full time, not from home.

Woop woop!

Quinoa Mac and Cheese - A lightened up, protein packed version of the classic Mac and Cheese. It is much healthier but tastes surprisingly like the real thing! TheGarlicDiaries.com

Okay, so about this “mac” and cheese. Like I said earlier….all about dat sauce.

The sauce is made from scratch, but it’s really easy!! Do not fear. First you make a simple roux (butter and flour), pour in some milk, let that thicken, and then dump in some cheddaaaa cheese. Heaven.

Quinoa Mac and Cheese - A lightened up, protein packed version of the classic Mac and Cheese. It is much healthier but tastes surprisingly like the real thing! TheGarlicDiaries.com

Oh, hello beautiful cheesy, saucy goodness.

I’m Annie. I made you. And I want to eat you for every meal.

The fact that the most difficult part of this recipe is the sauce really says something about this dish. Because the sauce is easy.

Other than the sauce, all you have to do is cook some quinoa. And then stir it all together.

And then this magic happens:

Quinoa Mac and Cheese - A lightened up, protein packed version of the classic Mac and Cheese. It is much healthier but tastes surprisingly like the real thing! TheGarlicDiaries.com

Yeah, I know.

I know.

Quinoa Mac and Cheese - A lightened up, protein packed version of the classic Mac and Cheese. It is much healthier but tastes surprisingly like the real thing! TheGarlicDiaries.com

If you want to learn all about why quinoa is the best thing EVA, check out  this article. It literally contains every awesome, wonderful fact about quinoa, including its many health benefits. If you are a quinoa lover like me, you will eat it up (just like you’ll eat up this mac and cheese ?).

Okay okay okay okay it’s Friday, GO HAVE AN AWESOME WEEKEND!!

5.0 from 5 reviews
Quinoa Mac and Cheese
 
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Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
  • 2 cups quinoa
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cups 2% milk
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese + ¼ cup for topping
  • 5 grates fresh nutmeg
  • ¼ cup whole wheat panko
  • Arugula, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
  2. Bring 4 cups of water and 2 cups of quinoa to a boil in a medium pot. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, covered
  3. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt your butter
  4. Whisk in your flour and let that cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring constantly
  5. Add your milk and whisk together
  6. Let this mixture come to a simmer and thicken slightly
  7. Remove from the heat, add your cheese, add your nutmeg, and season to taste with salt and pepper
  8. When your quinoa is done cooking, add it to the skillet with your sauce and mix together
  9. Season to taste with salt and pepper
  10. Pour your "mac" and cheese into a 9x13 inch baking dish
  11. In a small bowl, combine the panko and remaining ¼ cup cheese
  12. Sprinkle this mixture over your "mac" and cheese, enough to coat the top (you don't need to use all of it)
  13. Bake for 10 minutes, turn your oven to broil, and broil for another 5 minutes, or until the top is golden brown
  14. Optional garnish - Arugula: I chopped some and topped the mac and cheese with it - we thought it was wonderful!

Quinoa Mac and Cheese - A lightened up, protein packed version of the classic Mac and Cheese. It is much healthier but tastes surprisingly like the real thing! TheGarlicDiaries.com

Quinoa Mac and Cheese - A lightened up, protein packed version of the classic Mac and Cheese. It is much healthier but tastes surprisingly like the real thing! TheGarlicDiaries.com

If you make this or any of my other recipes, be sure to Instagram it and hashtag #thegarlicdiaries!

In the mood for more cheesy dishes? Check these out:

Croque Monsieur

Light Turkey Chili Mac and Cheese

Healthy, Cheesy Taco Skillet

 

 

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Comments

  1. I made this last night. I went a bit off the recipe – I don’t like using measuring spoons. My sauce was very thick, but I evened it out with more milk and it turned out great.

    Reply

  2. Do you use the nutmeg powder or actual nutmeg? Also can you use skim milk rather than 2% milk?

    Reply

  4. Has anyone ever made this ahead of time? How does it keep? Does it reheat well? How about making the quinoa ahead of time and then making the sauce and putting it together right before serving? Trying to plan ahead!

    Reply

    • I have never made it ahead of time, but I think it would probably work to make the quinoa and sauce separately and bake when you’re ready to eat it! I think it would work to assemble it all and have it ready in advanced to bake, too, but my only concern would be that the quinoa would soak up some of the sauce. I think it keeps and reheats great! If it gets a little dry, you can add a splash of milk :)!

      Reply

        • Reporting back that I made the quinoa ahead of time and made the sauce the following day, right before mixing them together to bake and it came out fantastic! A huge hit!

          Reply

    • Would you be willing to substitute olive oil for the butter? You need some sort of fat to make the “roux” (mix of flour and fat) to thicken the cheese sauce. That fat doesn’t necessarily have to be butter as long as it’s some type of oil.

      Reply

    • Thanks, Natalie! Ugh me tooooo you have no idea. Hence the fact that I just posted this…and a hot soup a few weeks ago. Come onnnn comfort food!

      Reply

  17. Oh.My.GAHHH! I love quinoa, I always have some cooked in the fridge to add to meals or salads. SO naturally I am completely smitten with this dish! I mean quinoa MAC and CHEESE????? Gimme that by the vat full! SO MUCH YUM! Pinned! Cheers to a fabulous weekend, girlie

    Reply

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