Oh my gosh I am so tired!
Not because of this monkey, whose 6 month pictures I finally got around to taking, uh, a week before he turned 7 months old (better late than never?!)
Our little prince is snoozing just fine. Mom and Dad, however, are willingly keeping themselves up at night to feed their Breaking Bad addiction. Have you seen it? AMC? Bueller?
I heard all about how awesome this show was during its 5 year run but resisted tuning in because, I don’t know… Well actually I do know – it’s about meth! I’m sure my Dad is having a heart attack reading this, what with me mentioning illicit drugs so close to his youngest grandson’s picture, but, well, this is happening.
Anyway, Ben’s the finder of all good shows that I resist watching then end up proclaiming my new favorite thing EVER! The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, Girls (which I got so hooked on that I cheated and watched a full season without him in like, a day. I know.) and now, Breaking Bad. He’d been trying to get me to watch on Netflix for months and I finally caved. Wished I hadn’t waited so long!
The acting is incredible. You hate the people you should love and love the people you should hate…I can’t get enough! We’ve watched two seasons in nearly as many weeks, and are still going strong. I need an intervention! Or a book…
There’s no point to this story except to tell you that Breaking Bad is really good, and I don’t have an exciting nor relevant story to lead into a side dish I want to share with you today, mmkay? Are you still reading? Creamy Parmesan-Garlic Quinoa? Bueller? When will people stop understanding what Bueller means?
This is the last time I drink Starbucks in the afternoon!
Creamy Parmesan-Garlic Quinoa is the answer to your what to serve with dinner prayers. This dish takes 5 minutes to prep, cooks for 15 more minutes, then is ready to serve. Perfectly garlicky, creamy, and parmesan-y. Plus quinoa is packed with protein so it’s a side dish with staying power!
This dish isn’t a direct rip-off of those pasta side packets I like to makeover, like Creamy Garlic Shells and Creamy Chicken Pasta, as none of them use quinoa, but my gosh is it good.
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. Yes!
Start by rinsing 1 cup quinoa under cold running water in a fine mesh sieve. I got this one at my grocery store for like $2.99. Oh, and I also got the measuring cups from Target on clearance recently. They’re from Giada di Laurentiis’ line and I just love them! A couple people asked the last time I showed them so I thought I’d share.
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. I bought a garlic press from IKEA the last time I was there and I swear to you it was the best $3 I have ever spent. I usually loathe unitaskers in the kitchen, but I’m making a hearty exception for the garlic press.
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.
By the way, a lot of people ask me how to avoid mushy quinoa and the answer is, you want the ratio of quinoa to liquid to be around 1:1.75. Or however you would write that. Point being, you want less than double the amount of liquid to quinoa!
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, vs singeing the bejeebers out of your tongue. As with most things in life, it’s worth the wait!
free email bonus
Dinner Made EASY
5 days of simple yet flavorful recipes that take the stress out of dinnertime!
Gluten-free Creamy Parmesan-Garlic Quinoa
Description
Gluten-free Creamy Parmesan-Garlic Quinoa is an easy side dish that's packed with protein and crowd-pleasing flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1-3/4 cups gluten-free chicken broth (could use vegetable broth)
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Directions
- Rinse quinoa very well under cold running water in a fine mesh sieve then drain well and set aside.
- Heat extra virgin olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat then add garlic and saute until barely golden brown, stirring constantly (watch closely as it can go from golden brown to burnt very quickly!) Add quinoa then toast for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Add chicken broth then turn heat up to high and bring to a boil. Place a lid on top then turn heat down to medium-low and cook until nearly all the liquid has been absorbed and quinoa is tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in parmesan cheese then serve.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
I served my Creamy Parmesan-Garlic Quinoa with chicken breasts marinated in BBQ sauce then sauteed (OH how I wish they were grilled instead…soon!) and steamed broccoli. Whatever you choose to pair it with…enjoy!
Apple-Bacon Roasted Chicken Recipe | Cooking On The Weekends 12.28.2017
[…] Creamy Parmesan-Garlic Quinoa […]
Christy 12.18.2017
my biggest take away was decreasing the ratio of water/quinoa to get a less mushy dish! It was wonderful!
Diane 08.25.2017
I am saving this recipe for later! Thank you :D It looks great
Free ALDI Meal Plan week of 6/18/17 - 6/24/17 - Mashup Mom 06.14.2017
[…] cooker garlic chicken drumsticks. Side: Parmesan-garlic quinoa (use vegetable broth and pre-shredded Parmesan), plus cut the rest of your broccoli into florets, […]
Meal Plans May 2 – Home Well Managed 05.18.2017
[…] Day Meatballs / Creamy Parmesan Garlic Quinoa / Fried […]
Little Cooking Tips 05.16.2017
Delicious recipe Kristin! Simple, quick and yummy. We’ll have this as a main (!) today, to load ourselves with protein:)
As for Breaking Bad we were HUGE fans of the show which was excellent and concluded brilliantly. Unlike “Lost” and “Fringe” this one has a proper ending.
We also LOVE our IKEA garlic press as well:) One of the best utensils ever, right? We also love the IKEA Dutch oven:)
Sending you lots of sunshine from Athens, Greece
Mirella and Panos
30 Ideas: What to Do with Avocados, Quinoa, Squash, Cauliflower and Eggplant – herChristianhome 05.11.2017
[…] My recipe pick: Creamy Parmesan-Garlic Quinoa […]
15 Quinoa Recipes - My Life and Kids 10.02.2016
[…] Gluten-Free Creamy Parmesan Garlic Quinoa – – Creamy Parmesan-Garlic Quinoa -spice up normal quinoa! Can’t wait to try […]
Turmeric Garlic Rice Kit 03.17.2016
[…] Creamy Parmesan-Garlic Quinoa – Iowa Girl Eats – Gluten-free Creamy Parmesan-Garlic Quinoa is an easy side dish that’s packed with protein and crowd-pleasing flavors. […]
Lily Cupcakes 01.25.2016
Very delicious I made it for my mom and dad they loved it!!! :) Thanks❤️:)
Lily Cupcakes 01.25.2016
Very delicious I made it for my mom and dad they loved it!!! :) Thanks❤️
Dawn Sexton 11.24.2015
Great recipe! Thanks! I mixed into it a pan of baby sauteed kale and it is dee-lish. I sauteed the kale w olive oil and avocado oil (the avocado oil was just to get the healthy fats), garlic, salt, pepper and a squeezed in a lemon wedge. Then mixed it in with the quinoa. Yum
Billy Anne Crews 11.13.2015
Made this last night & it was a hit with everyone!!! Please ages 2 to 70!?
15 Easy, Delicious Side Dishes - A Cedar Spoon 11.03.2015
[…] Creamy Parmesan-Garlic Quinoa // Iowa Girl Eats […]
Laura Griffin 08.06.2015
Green onions were never mentioned for this recipe yet in every pic. Just a topping?
Kristin 08.06.2015
Yep, just a topping. :)
3 Gluten-Free Pizza Night Menus with California Pizza Kitchen Oven-Ready Pizza - Cupcakes & Kale Chips 07.17.2015
[…] Creamy Parmesan Garlic Quinoa from Iowa Girl […]
Chris 06.29.2015
I made it today for the first time. I didn’t have any parmesan in the house, so substituted aged cheddar instead – still turned out great. Can’t wait to make it with the parmesan.
Day 50- June 22, 2015 Creamy Garlic Parmesan Quinoa and kielbasa | ShyMunchster 06.22.2015
[…] https://iowagirleats.com/2014/03/05/creamy-parmesan-garlic-quinoa/ […]
Lisa 06.13.2015
Well, the first time I made this recipe I didn’t have enough parmesan cheese but the family loved it the way it was. This time when I made it I did have enough parmesan cheese so I used the 1/2 cup suggested in the recipe. My family couldn’t stand it! Even I, a cheese lover, could barely choke it down. I will make this again but without the cheese!
MarLa 03.31.2015
Can you substitute Romano cheese ya think?