Quinoa is known as one of the healthiest grains (or technically seed) available. This super food is a complex carbohydrate with a low glycemic index. It is packed full of essential vitamins and minerals, is a rich source of protein and is high in fibre.
For these reasons I love cooking with quinoa and because it is so versatile I use it in many ways. The boys love it for breakfast (like in this raspberry breakfast quinoa) in snacks (like these fruit and nut quinoa bars) and served as part of a main meal.
As mac and cheese seems to be a firm favourite of kids I thought a cheesy quinoa would be a great way to introduce quinoa to your kids (if you haven’t already.) Mix some of their favourite vegetables through the quinoa, before baking, to add extra nutrients.
I sometimes roll the mixture into balls and then bake them so that I can throw a couple into a packed lunch box the next day. If you like this idea then you must try these tomato and cheese quinoa balls.
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Cheesy Quinoa for Kids
Ingredients
- 200 g (1 pack) cream cheese
- 100 g (1 cup) grated mozzarella
- 50 g (1/2 cup) grated cheddar (plus 1/2 cup extra for sprinkling on top)
- 3 cups cooked quinoa (I cup uncooked quinoa yields just over 3 cups cooked quinoa)
Instructions
- Pre heat oven to 180c / 350f / gas 4
- Add the cream cheese, mozzarella and cheddar to a pan and gently stir over a medium/low heat until warmed through and cheese is melted. Add the quinoa and stir through.
- Transfer mixture to a baking dish (approx. 8 inches) or several mini dishes.
- Sprinkle with cheese and bake for approx. 15 mins (until cheese has melted and starting to crisp)
Recipe Notes
Sarah says
How many people does this serve?
Amy says
Hi Sarah, sorry I didn’t detail this information in my old recipes (I make sure to do this in my new recipes and I am slowly going through all the old recipes to update with this information). I haven’t actually made this is a long time and can’t remember. I’d say 6 as a dish served with veggies etc.