Description
This easy, gluten-free spinach artichoke quinoa casserole tastes like spinach and artichoke dip in a healthy, weeknight dinner form. Sure to be a crowd pleaser! Cauliflower Alfredo sauce makes it extra creamy.
Ingredients
- 1 head (small) Garlic, Chop In Half If Quite Large
- ½ cups Quinoa, Uncooked
- 2 cups Reduced Sodium Vegetable Broth, Divided
- ¾ teaspoons Salt, Divided
- 1 cup Water
- 3 cups Cauliflower, Cut Into Bite-sized Florets, 260 Grams
- ½ Tablespoons Olive Oil
- ⅓ cups Onion, Roughly Chopped
- ¼ teaspoons Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- Black Pepper
- ½ cans (14 1/2 Oz. Size) Quartered Artichoke Hearts, Drained And Roughly Chopped
- 1-½ cup Roughly Chopped Spinach Leaves, Packed
- ½ cups Grated Parmesan Cheese, Divided
Preparation
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Chop the top of the head of garlic off so the tips of the cloves are exposed and rub a drizzle of olive oil into the head of garlic. Place two pieces of tinfoil on top of each other (shiny side inwards) and wrap the garlic up tightly. Place on a small pan and bake until the garlic is soft and roasted, about 35–40 minutes. Remove from oven and reduce temperature to 350°F.
Spray an 8×8 inch pan with cooking spray and combine quinoa, 1 cup of broth and 1/4 teaspoon of salt inside it, stirring well. Cover with tinfoil and bake until broth is absorbed, about 35–40 minutes.
While quinoa cooks, combine remaining broth and water in a large pot and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add chopped cauliflower, cover and boil until the cauliflower is fork-tender, about 6–7 minutes.
While cauliflower cooks, heat olive oil in a medium pan over medium/high heat. Add onion and stir until golden brown, about 4–5 minutes.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer cauliflower into a large, high-powered blender. Add the cooked onion, red pepper flakes, remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and a few good pinches of pepper. Finally, add 2 tablespoons of the liquid that you cooked the cauliflower in and squeeze all of the roasted garlic into the blender. Blend until smooth and pureed, scraping down the sides as necessary.
Once quinoa is cooked, stir in all of the cauliflower Alfredo sauce, along with chopped artichoke hearts, spinach leaves and 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until well combined and spinach begins to wilt. Cover and bake for another 15 minutes.
Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese over the top of the casserole and bake, uncovered, until lightly golden brown, about 15–20 minutes. Let stand for 5–10 minutes (it’s hot) and devour!
