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    Zen and Zaatar » Recipes » Main Dishes

    One-Pot Cheesy Vegan Quinoa with Broccoli & Chickpeas (GF)

    Published: Apr 16, 2020 · Modified: Mar 31, 2025 by Zena | Zen and Zaatar · This post may contain affiliate links · 8 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe
    This cheesy vegan quinoa with broccoli and chickpeas is a healthy comfort food dish that can be made in one pot. This savory gluten free recipe is made creamy with cashews and seasoned with garlic.
    This cheesy vegan quinoa with broccoli and chickpeas is a healthy comfort food dish that can be made in one pot. This savory gluten free recipe is made creamy with cashews and seasoned with garlic.

    I've been trying to come up with more pantry-friendly, simple dinner recipes for you all to enjoy during this time. This one-pot cheesy vegan quinoa with broccoli and chickpeas is a healthy comfort food that can easily be made with pantry and freezer ingredients. It's creamy, gluten-free, hearty, and so easy to make!

    This cheesy vegan quinoa with broccoli and chickpeas is a healthy comfort food dish that can be made in one pot. This savory gluten free recipe is made creamy with cashews and seasoned with garlic.

    This dish is made by simple cooking the quinoa in a savory broth, flavored with aromatic onion and garlic. Then we add nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor, and a quick homemade cashew milk for creaminess. Then we add chickpeas and broccoli, and the veggies get steamed as the flavor marinates throughout the dish.

    As I'm cooking a lot during quarantine, the dishes just seem to pile up. And since we don't have a dishwasher, I love anything that minimizes the amount of dishes used during the process, which is why this one-pot meal is the perfect cozy dish for these nights.

    This cheesy vegan quinoa with broccoli and chickpeas is a healthy comfort food dish that can be made in one pot. This savory gluten free recipe is made creamy with cashews and seasoned with garlic.Ingredient rundown:

    • Cashews: serve as the creamy sauce base. I love to buy them bulk online here, since I use them for so many vegan recipes.
    • Quinoa: quinoa simply soaks up the delicious flavors and quinoa goodness in this dish, as well as adds protein!
    • Chickpeas: add protein and texture
    • Broccoli florets: fresh or frozen both work!
    • Vegetable broth: a flavorful liquid to cook the quinoa.
    • Garlic + onion: add savory depth of flavor.
    • Nutritional yeast: the ultimate vegan staple, giving so many recipes a cheesy flavor! I love to buy it in bulk here.
    • Lemon juice: boosts the cheesy flavor!

    This cheesy vegan quinoa with broccoli and chickpeas is a healthy comfort food dish that can be made in one pot. This savory gluten free recipe is made creamy with cashews and seasoned with garlic.Why you'll love this cheesy vegan quinoa dish:

    • One-pot: this means less dishes and effort- woohoo!
    • Pantry friendly: This recipe consists of ingredients I always have in my pantry, and I tend to also have frozen broccoli florets. But if you don't, feel free to get creative and add the veggies that you do have.
    • Easily customizable: The broccoli and chickpeas can easily be switched out for other veggies and legumes, as the quinoa can be switched out for another grain. Read on for serving suggestions!
    • Hearty: The protein in the quinoa, chickpeas, and broccoli make this a complete, filling meal.
    • So delicious: This vegan cheesy quinoa is garlicky, creamy, and comforting.
    This cheesy vegan quinoa with broccoli and chickpeas is a healthy comfort food dish that can be made in one pot. This savory gluten free recipe is made creamy with cashews and seasoned with garlic.

    Serving suggestions:

    • Spinach or mushrooms would be delightful in this dish
    • Chickpeas could be substituted for another bean such as white beans
    • Broccoli can be substituted with peas or another green veggie
    • Quinoa can be substituted with rice or a similar grain- just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly
    • I love to add chopped chives or green onions on top for garnish
    This cheesy vegan quinoa with broccoli and chickpeas is a healthy comfort food dish that can be made in one pot. This savory gluten free recipe is made creamy with cashews and seasoned with garlic.
    This cheesy vegan quinoa with broccoli and chickpeas is a healthy comfort food dish that can be made in one pot. This savory gluten free recipe is made creamy with cashews and seasoned with garlic.

    I hope you guys love this vegan cheesy quinoa as much as I do! If you love quinoa, I think you'll also love my chickpea quinoa bowls and quinoa-stuffed honeynut squash recipes.

    I would love to see your recreations on Instagram @zenandzaatar. Don't forget to pin this recipe for later!

    Recipe

    This cheesy vegan quinoa with broccoli and chickpeas is a healthy comfort food dish that can be made in one pot. This savory gluten free recipe is made creamy with cashews and seasoned with garlic.

    One-Pot Cheesy Vegan Quinoa with Broccoli & Chickpeas (GF)

    Zena Hassoun
    This cheesy vegan quinoa with broccoli and chickpeas is a pantry-friendly, gluten-free, healthy comfort food dish that can be made in one pot.
    4.53 from 19 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Vegan
    Servings 6
    Calories 692 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup raw cashews
    • 2 cups water
    • ½ cup diced onion
    • 3-4 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 ½ tablespoon oil or water
    • 1 ½ cups quinoa
    • 3 cups vegetable broth or 3 cups water + 1 tablespoon vegetable bouillon
    • 12-14 oz. fresh or frozen broccoli florets
    • 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15 oz. can chickpeas
    • ¼ cup nutritional yeast
    • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste, depends on saltiness of bouillon
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 3 tablespoon lemon juice
    • chives or green onions chopped, for garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Sauté onion in oil or water in a pot over medium high heat until translucent, 3-5 mins. Then, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 2 more mins.
    • Add in quinoa and toast lightly for 1-2 mins, before adding in vegetable broth or water and bouillon. Bring to a boil, and then cover and simmer on medium low heat until most of the liquid is absorbed, 8-12 mins.
    • Meanwhile, make your cashew cream by blending 1 cup cashews and 2 cups water until smooth; it doesn't have to be perfect.
    • Once quinoa is cooked, add in cashew cream, nutritional yeast, salt, pepper, garlic powder and chickpeas. Stir to combine, and then add the broccoli florets. Cover with a lid to steam the broccoli and cook until tender, 3-5 mins.
    • Check with a fork to see that the broccoli is tender, add lemon juice, and stir to combine. Serve topped with chopped green onions or chives. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 692kcalCarbohydrates: 108gProtein: 37gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 14gSodium: 1326mgFiber: 38gSugar: 19g
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below and tag @zenandzaatar on social!

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    Comments

      4.53 from 19 votes (16 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Anna says

      June 10, 2020 at 1:17 pm

      5 stars
      Made this for me and my boyfriend. We loved it, it was easy and I followed the recipe to a T. I have even shared this with a few people who also loved it. Thanks, keep it up!

      Reply
    2. Anna says

      June 10, 2020 at 1:17 pm

      5 stars
      Made this for me and my boyfriend. We loved it, it was easy and I followed the recipe to a T. I have even shared this with a few people who also loved it. Thanks, keep it up!

      Reply
      • Zena | Zen and Zaatar says

        June 10, 2020 at 1:22 pm

        I'm so happy to hear that you guys loved it, thanks so much for sharing with others! 🙂 Cheers! <3

        Reply
    3. June says

      July 26, 2020 at 4:22 pm

      hi! i'm vegetarian, not vegan and was wondering if you had any suggestions for a substitution for the nutritional yeast? i don't have any in my pantry and was hoping to avoid a grocery store run 🙂

      Reply
      • Zena | Zen and Zaatar says

        August 12, 2020 at 2:14 pm

        You can simply omit it and add extra flavoring such as garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. If you are vegetarian, I would recommend that you could also replace it with parmesan cheese or a similar cheese!

        Reply
    4. Brooklyn says

      March 04, 2021 at 4:45 pm

      Will it be ok to omit the cashews and just add water? ^_^

      Reply
      • Zena | Zen and Zaatar says

        March 05, 2021 at 12:37 pm

        The cashews and water blended together are what makes the cashew cream to create a creamy and flavorful dish. You can replace it with 2-3 cups of creamy plant milk instead!

        Reply
    5. Jensen says

      June 05, 2021 at 1:14 am

      5 stars
      Definitely one I’ll do again!

      Reply
    Headshot image of the author of Zen and Zaatar, Zena Hassoun, MS.

    Welcome!

    Hi, I’m Zena, a passionate home cook with a Master’s in Medical Health Sciences. I’ve been vegan for nearly a decade and love creating approachable, Mediterranean-inspired recipes that nourish your body and soul.

    More about me

    55+ Vegan Recipes for Real Life

    The cover image of my e-cookbook, with text overlay "Vegan is Delicious: 55+ nourishing, innovative, plant-based recipes to satisfy vegans and omnivores alike! by Zena Hassoun, M.S., creator of Zen and Zaatar."

    Tired of the same meals or relying on takeout? Vegan is Delicious is full of flavorful, plant-based recipes (with photos!) plus a 7-day meal plan to make home cooking feel effortless.

    Get it now!

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