Cheesy Broccoli Bacon Quinoa Casserole

Cheesy Broccoli Bacon Quinoa Casserole is a simple side that complements any main dish for a quick and easy healthy weeknight meal.

Living in New England is always a mix of emotions when the seasons change.  I love the fall and all the changes it brings; the chill of a brisk morning and getting to wear a comfy sweaters, pretty scarfs, cozy pants and snugly but always fashionable boots. The foliage alone is something to experience if you've never come to New England when the leaves are falling from the trees. Far more colorful than anything you've ever seen, even more vibrant than seeing a TV show in HD  for the first time!

But the last week of summer is always filled with the last time we'll get to see the beach again until next summer, the last time we'll be jumping in the pool of grandpa's, the last camping trip, the last...... blah blah blah...oh it's so bittersweet!

Summer time has been my break from heating up the kitchen and reverting to many no bake and crock pot recipes. So often for me the joy that fall brings is getting back into the love of baking and creating aromatic smells from my kitchen that brings everyone around for dinner together at the table.

Bacon is one of those smells that puts the electronics away for a moment and gets my family in the kitchen asking what's cooking, all the while hoping to snag a piece without me looking.

Many types of bacon often contain sugar within the first 3 ingredients which always makes me not want to purchase it. But the bacon I'm using in this recipe from Jones Dairy Farm has brown sugar listed as the 5th ingredient which makes me a happy woman.

When I started my sugar free journey I needed a rule of thumb, one that would help me discern between which products I should or shouldn't purchase when it comes to added sugars. Obviously you've surely seen how sugar is in most everything you buy. My rule of thumb? If any type of sugar is listed as the 5th ingredient or higher in the ingredient list then it is a purchase I am willing to make. Often being that high on the ingredient list insures very little is in the product overall.

This uncured turkey bacon from Jones Dairy Farm has the following listed for ingredients: turkey, vinegar, lemon juice concentrate, water, brown sugar, honey, salt, potassium chloride, seasoning (sea salt, lactic acid started culture, natural flavorings). The family loves the taste and so do I and at only 30 calories per slice, I can enjoy more than one piece!

Lately I've been trying to get my family to eat quinoa more instead of rice just because I love it and the nutritional benefits it offers and I want them to love it  as well! When I add cheese and bacon to something they often fond of for dinner they often all at least try it. And they did for this recipe as well. They also aren't' crazy about broccoli but again the bacon and cheese in the mix and we've got a family of 3 picky kids having a small serving without complaint.

Whether you live in an area that the seasons change or not, you can enjoy this dish any time of year and maybe, just maybe your picky ones will eat their broccoli!

Brenda's Notes:

• To cook quinoa, add 1 cup dry quinoa with 2 cups water in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce to a simmer and cook 12-15 minutes until all the water is absorbed. You will about 3 cups cooked quinoa so you the extra in other recipes like these: Zucchini noodle Quinoa Bake, Quinoa brownie bites, or Crock Pot Cocoa Quinoa Brownies.
• To find Jones Dairy Farm products near you, just use this store locator on their website.

 The Sugar-Free Mom Cookbook has been Released!! Hitting shelves in days and Amazon is selling it at a discount right now!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe

No ratings yet

Cheesy Broccoli Bacon Quinoa Casserole

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Total Time35 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Calories: 215kcal

Author: Brenda Bennett | Sugar-Free Mom

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going to sleep

Ingredients

• 12 ounces frozen broccoli florets steamed
• 8 ounces Jones Dairy Farm uncured turkey bacon cooked, chopped
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• In a large bowl stir together broccoli, quinoa, bacon, Cheddar and oil until combined.
• Pour mixture into an 8 by 8 baking dish.
• Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top and bake 20-25 miutes until golden on top.

Notes

Weight Watchers Points Plus: 6*

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 215kcal | Carbohydrates: 9.9g | Protein: 15.2g | Fat: 13.4g | Saturated Fat: 3.3g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 628mg | Fiber: 1.9g | Sugar: 0.7g

Tried this recipe?Mention @sugarfreemom and tag #sugarfreemom, I'd love to see your dish!

 Disclosure: This is a sponsored post I developed for my client, Jones Dairy Farm. As always all opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands I enjoy working with!

About Brenda

Brenda Bennett is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, certified Sugar Detox Coach, certified Keto Coach and certified Life Coach. She has been Sugar Free & Refined carb free for 17 years and has written 2 cookbooks, Sugar-Free Mom, and Naturally Keto and her 3rd book The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet, is a four part program to help you detox from sugar, eliminate cravings, balance blood sugar and lose weight all while eating a delicious, nutrient dense whole foods. Meal plan offers two tracks to follow, low carb or keto. She is the founder of the Sugar Free Fresh Start course and Sugar Free Tribe weight loss membership. Learn more.