Gluten-free Creamy Parmesan-Garlic Quinoa is an easy, gluten-free side dish that's packed with protein and crowd-pleasing flavors.
Creamy Parmesan-Garlic Quinoa is the answer to your what to serve with dinner prayers! This simple, savory side dish takes 5 minutes to prep, simmers for just 15 minutes, then is ready to serve.
Perfectly garlicky, creamy, and cheesy. Plus quinoa is packed with protein so it’s a side dish with staying power!
Quinoa is quickly toasted in garlic-infused oil then cooked in chicken broth before being combined with salty parmesan cheese. Fast. Quick. Flavorful. Try this!
You’ll only need 5 kitchen staples to whip up Creamy Parmesan-Garlic Quinoa: Quinoa, of course, chicken broth, garlic, parmesan cheese, and extra virgin olive oil.
Start by rinsing 1 cup quinoa under cold running water in a fine mesh sieve if you don’t have the pre-rinsed kind of quinoa.
Let the quinoa drain while you heat 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat then add 3 cloves minced garlic.
Let the garlic saute for 30 seconds to a minute, stirring constantly, until it’s light golden brown. It will go from golden brown to burnt very quickly, so keep an eye on it.
Add the drained quinoa then stir for 1 minute to let it lightly toast, and then add 1-3/4 cup gluten-free chicken broth (or vegetable broth.) Turn the heat up to bring to a boil then place a lid on top, turn the heat back down to medium-low, and then cook until the quinoa is tender, about 15 minutes.
Finally, stir in 1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese. That’s it!
Let the quinoa cool for 10 minutes before serving so you really get the parmesan-garlic flavor to come through. As with most things in life, it’s worth the wait!
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa, pre-rinsed
- 1-3/4 cups gluten free chicken broth, or vegetable broth
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Directions
- Heat extra virgin olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat then add garlic and saute until barely golden brown, 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
- Add quinoa then toast for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Add chicken broth then turn heat up to high to bring to a boil. Place a lid on top then turn heat down to low and cook until nearly all the liquid has been absorbed and quinoa is tender, 12-15 minutes. Stir in parmesan cheese then serve.
Notes
- Look for pre-rinsed quinoa at the grocery store. I like Bob's Red Mill Quinoa.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
Was just wondering how many calories this would be per serving?! Looks delicious ????
I have tried so many garlic “tools”. I had a press, a rocking instrument, a friend has a garlic rock from his garden that he keeps in the kitchen, but I have settled on using my meat hammer. It works perfectly.
I’m trying to get my hubby to eat healthier. Quinoa is on my list. Going to try this recipe tonight.
This was great! This was the first quinoa recipe I’ve made that my kids loved. Thanks!
Last night at dinner, my husband said, “I’m not a fan of quinoa, but this is delicious. You can make this whenever you want!” And he doesn’t say things like this often. =) This recipe is a keeper!
Oh that makes my heart happy – thank you for sharing, and for your star rating, Jaime! :)