Clean Eating Garlic Parmesan Quinoa Recipe (2024)

If you love the idea of cheesy quinoa, you have to give this garlic parmesan quinoa a try.

This is a wonderful summertime picnic or family gathering dish. Take it to potlucks or even a company party, and I think you’ll find that most people really enjoy it.

If you’ve never had quinoa before, I highly recommend it. It’s technically a seed, not a grain. But we treat it like a grain because it gets cooked like most grains. It also happens to have all nine essential amino acids. So just like meat, it’s a complete protein. Not bad for a tiny little seed!

What Does Quinoa Taste Like?

Quinoa has a unique flavor that is a bit earthy, as millet would be. But if prepared properly, it’s very mild, like rice.

What Can I Add To Quinoa To Make It Taste Good?

The answer to this has two parts.

1. Before you cook your quinoa, you must always rinse it well. This will remove all of the bitter flavors that you get if you don’t rinse it. So the main way to make quinoa taste good happens before you ever cook it.
2. Once cooked, you have to season it like you would any other grain. For some people, you’ll want to season it a little heavier than you would rice.

How Do You Rinse Quinoa?

Measure how much quinoa you want, and put it into a fine mesh sieve. Run it under cold running water. You will see that if foams a bit. Rinse all of that off until the water runs clear. Move the quinoa around in the sieve with your fingers to make sure you rinse all of it.

How Much Quinoa Per Person?

For cooked quinoa, about 1 cup per person will do. It may be a little less or a little more for some people, but 1 cup is about average.

What Can I Add To Quinoa After It’s Cooked?

Anything you want! Like rice, it’s very versatile. But here are some ideas:

• Fresh parsley or other fresh herbs
• Black pepper
• Spinach
• Kale
• Mushrooms
• Bell peppers
• Fruit
• Cheese

What Goes Well With Quinoa?

As a side dish, you can serve this with any meat or vegetable. Flavor it according to what you are serving it with. In the case of this recipe, good choices would be chicken, fish, pork, steak, and any vegetables you want to have as a side.

Recipe Tip

Don’t add any salt during cooking. Wait until the whole recipe is made. The parmesan cheese adds lots of salty flavors, so taste it before adding salt.

About Garlic Parmesan Quinoa Ingredients

Uncooked quinoa– Rinsed well under running water.

Low-sodium chicken broth– No sugar added.

Garlic granules– Or garlic powder.

Grated parmesan cheese – The real stuff. Avoid things like Kraft parmesan. It won’t melt properly.

Cherry tomatoes– You can also use grape tomatoes. Cut any small tomato you use in half.

Fresh basil

How To Make Garlic Parmesan Quinoa

Follow the package directions to cook the quinoa, but substitute the water with chicken broth.

When done, fluff with a fork and allow to cool enough so the cheese won’t melt when you add it.

Stir in the garlic powder and parmesan cheese.

Add the tomatoes and fresh basil.

Stir well and serve.

Storing Garlic Parmesan Quinoa

Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezing Garlic Parmesan Quinoa

Freezing is not recommended for this recipe.

Reheating Garlic Parmesan Quinoa

Reheat this in a microwave or in the oven in an oven-safe dish.

More Healthy Quinoa Recipes

• Cranberry Pecan Quinoa Salad
• Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad
• Mushroom Quinoa Salad

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Garlic Parmesan Quinoa Recipe Card