Looking for an easy week night meal that’s hearty, warming and delicious? Try this quinoa and broccoli bake that’s packed full of veggies, protein and flavour!

Because just like that it was autumn.  Not that I’m complaining as autumn is my very favouritest season.  Chilly dog walks, thick jumpers, fuzzy socks, hot chocolate and bowls of warm and deliciously filling comfort food like this broccoli bake fresh from the oven.

And it’s just what you want when you need something quick and tasty as this couldn’t be simpler.  I also tried so hard to make this a one dish meal but not par-boiling the broccoli before putting it in the dish is a bad idea.  So don’t be tempted to skip that step.  I tried and failed at that already for you 😉

I thought the liquid that you use would also cook the broccoli.  Nu-uh.  All you get is tough, woody stalks in an otherwise soft textured dish and it’s NOT a nice combination.  At all.

You can layer up the ingredients into the dish in pretty much any order you like.  It all cooks together to become one unctuous rustic mess anyway!

We’ve got:

• Veggies – broccoli, spring onions and peppers.
• Lentils – for tonnes of flavour and protein oomph.
• Quinoa – healthy as healthy can be.  Filling too.
• Liquid stuff – veg stock to fluff up the quinoa, plant milk (I used oat) for a touch of creaminess.
• For flavour – pesto, mustard, vegan cheese.

One thing you won’t want to forget for this broccoli bake though is the oaty crumble topping.  This goes all lovely and crisp and gives a wonderful crunchy contrast to the vegetable casserole underneath.

Craving more comfort food?  Here are a few of our favourites:

• Teriyaki Baked Tofu
• The Best Vegetarian Lasagne (which also happens to be vegan)
• Vegan Vegetable Bake (a tried and tested favourite from lots of our readers!)
• Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
• Tomato Pearl Barley Risotto

Do you have autumn and winter favourite dishes that you make time and time again?  I love having a pot of something bubbling away to be devoured later with a thick hunk of home-made bread!

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