Unhealthy Quinoa Mac and Cheese

Take the health benefits of quinoa and override them with a ton of cheese. You won't regret it!

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 55 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins
• Calories: 629 Calories

Ingredients

• ¼ cup butter
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 2 cups skim milk
• 8 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 small onion, diced
• 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 3 cloves garlic, diced
• ¼ cup flour
• 2 cups quinoa
• 5 slices bread, crusts removed and cubed
• 1 large tomato, cored and sliced

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Step 2

Process cubed bread in a food processor to make bread crumbs. Set aside.

Step 3

Heat olive oil in a deep ovenproof skillet or Dutch oven. Add onion; cook and stir until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic; cook and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 4

Add quinoa, chicken stock, and water to the skillet. Bring to a simmer; cover and cook until quinoa is tender, about 10 minutes.

Step 5

Heat 1/4 cup butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add flour; cook and stir to form a paste, about 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in skim milk. Season with salt and ground black pepper; simmer on low until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat; stir in Cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, a little at a time, until combined. Stir cheese sauce into quinoa mixture in the skillet.

Step 6

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a separate skillet over medium heat. Add bread crumbs; cook and stir until crumbs are toasted, about 2 minutes. Place tomato slices on top of quinoa; top with bread crumbs. Quinoa mixture will be soupy but will firm up during baking.

Step 7

Bake in the oven until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.