Monday Meals: Cheesy Vegetable Bake

Some of our favorite meals in the Wisconsin Test Kitchen are ones that are thrown together with ingredients we already have in our cupboards and refrigerator. And bonus points when we end up creating a meal all three members of the test kitchen actually enjoy. In that same vein, last week we created a cheesy vegetable bake!

Cheesy Vegetable Bake

1 onion, diced

2 cups mushrooms, sliced

1 medium head of broccoli, cut into small florets

2 cups cooked quinoa (it's still a thing, sorry!)

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

olive oil

2 Tablespoons butter

2 Tablespoons flour

1 cup milk 

salt & pepper

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook quinoa according to package directions. 

Meanwhile, sautee onions and mushrooms with olive oil in large sauce pan until onions are soft. Add the broccoli and sautee until it softens slightly (you don't want it mushy, it's still going to cook in the oven).

Put vegetables in a large bowl, combine with the quinoa. Set aside while you make the cheese sauce.

Melt butter in a sauce pan, add flour. Whisk for 2 minutes. Slowly add milk, whisking the entire time. Once the milk is added, whisk for 3 minutes, or until thickened. Add 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted.

Pour cheese sauce into the quinoa and vegetable bowl, and stir until well combined. Transfer to a lightly greased 9"x13" pan, and sprinkle with the remaining half cup of cheese. 

 Bake for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

This is one of those great easy dinners that can easily be modified based on what kind of vegetables you have in your fridge. This would be delicious with eggplant, summer squash or even tomatoes. Also, it's a perfect Meatless Monday meal- if you're into that kind of thing. We hope you enjoy these easy, delicious meals as much as we do.

Stay Cool,

The Cool Dads Crew