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.
Oh yum, this looks delicious! I make a similar version but with cream cheese too so it’s extra creamy.
If you’re not in love with Aaron Paul yet, be prepared. It’s gonna hit you like a ton of bricks.
oh, and ::adjusts tie::.
Hi there. This looks delicious. I think i’ll use cous-cous instead though. Question:
In the picture of your son.. Where did you get the curtains? LOVE THEM!
They’re from IKEA!
OMGeeeeeeeeeeeeeee we are addicted to Breaking Bad too. It’s insane. We watch it every night and just started the fifth season last night. Holy guacamole it is SO GOOD. Anyway, I want this quinoa in my belly right now! What a fantastically easy side dish with items I have in my cupboard right now. I am always searching for an easy side dish that isn’t in a box…THIS IS IT!
Not to add to your addiction, but have you watched Homeland or House of Cards?? Both are so so good!! You should watch them next!
Not yet – Ben’s bugging me to watch that next! :)
My husband got me addicted to Dexter this summer. When that ended in the fall, we started watching Breaking Bad. We finished it about a month ago and I still think about it! There is something about Aaron Paul :)
wait – wait – is that what I think?
Barbeque? oh – spring where are you?????
When you’re done with Breaking Bad, check out Sons of Anarchy. It’s my current addiction. I’ve totally confused Amazon Prime on what to recommend for me. First Downton Abbey and now Sons of Anarchy. Polar opposites.
Looks delicious! Going to try that out!
http://www.thetouristoflife.com
Yes tobreaking bad!!!! I have like more episodes- totally addicting- like meth – (from what i hear- no meth for me) and i should cut down on my morning coffee! And yes to this dish! Awesome- needed a good quinoa
Loooved Breaking Bad. It was so addictive! I was so nervous watching it, though, that I used to yell at the TV.
I love Breaking Bad! Such a good series! So is Modern Family. After you finish BB, you may be interested in The Following. It is kind of scary but very addictive.
Breaking Bad is so good, glad you are watching & loving it. I think a recipe idea would be to figure out how to replicate Pollo’s Hermanos chicken, ok? thanks! :)