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    Home » Recipes » Sides

    Cheesy Mushroom Quinoa Recipe

    By Marjory Pilley Published May 14, 2018 · Updated Sep 8, 2022

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Pin It
    Creamy mushroom quinoa on a plate.

    Cheesy Mushroom Quinoa is a gluten-free risotto that's creamy and healthy! Serve it as a side dish or light meatless main meal.

    Cheesy mushroom quinoa on a plate with Parmesan cheese and thyme in the background.
    Serve creamy mushroom quinoa as a side dish or turn it into a light meatless main course.

    When you need a fancy side dish, make easy mushroom quinoa! It has a meaty feel from finely diced mushrooms and a cheese flavor from grated Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast.

    Quinoa is the perfect base for this dish because the tiny little "seeds" absorb the delicious broth easily! You won't have to keep a watchful eye while it cooks, as you do with arborio rice (which is traditionally used to make risotto.).

    We are big fans of quinoa because of its high fiber and protein content. That's why you'll find it in Black Bean Quinoa Soup and Quinoa Fruit Salad.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Do You Need to Rinse Quinoa?
    • Directions
    • Variations
    • Storage, Reheating
    • More Recipes with Quinoa
    • 📋 Recipe

    Ingredients

    Here's what you'll need to make the recipe:

    • Quinoa - There are 3 main types of quinoa: red, white, and black. You can also buy tri-color packages with a blend of all three. Any kind of quinoa will work in this recipe. However, we recommend white because it is mild and less crunchy. The red and black varieties are the heartiest and also the chewiest. See the section below on rinsing quinoa.
    • Vegetable broth that is low in salt
    • Mushrooms - white or baby Bella. To prepare mushrooms, finely chop them with a knife or food processor. Yes - you can use a food processor. Just be careful not to process them for very long!
      • Note: sliced mushrooms may be used instead!
    • Onion 
    • Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast for a vegan version
    • Thyme - fresh or dried
    • Olive oil, salt, and pepper

    Note that Parmesan cheese and vegetable broth are both high in sodium. So if you're watching your salt, use a low-sodium broth and possibly a little less Parmesan cheese.

    The ingredient quantities are located on the recipe card.

    Do You Need to Rinse Quinoa?

    If it hasn't been pre-rinsed before you buy it, then quinoa must be rinsed to remove naturally-occurring saponin, which coats each seed. A package will clearly state if this step has been taken.

    If it has not been removed, your dish will taste bitter and soapy. Luckily, it's easy to remedy. To remove the coating, add quinoa to a fine mesh sieve and run cold water over it until it runs clear.

    Directions

    Here's how to make cheesy, creamy mushroom quinoa:

    1. Place quinoa and broth in a large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer, cover and cook for about 15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Grains will be soft and translucent and the germ ring will be visible on the outside of the grain.
    2. While the quinoa is cooking, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and saute mushrooms and onions for about 5 minutes or until softened and tender.
    3. When quinoa has finished cooking, add it to the skillet with the mushrooms and onions. Stir in cheese and thyme. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
    Creamy mushroom quinoa risotto in a large skillet.
    Creamy mushroom quinoa risotto can be served right out of the skillet.

    Variations

    There's very little room for error when cooking this recipe, but you can easily modify it!

    • For an even creamier recipe, stir in a few tablespoons of broth, especially if reheating the recipe.
    • A Tablespoon of white wine can be added to the broth when cooking the quinoa.
    • Add beans or meat to turn this into a hearty main dish.
    • Other vegetables, such as spinach, peppers, and garlic, can be sauteed with mushrooms and onions.
    • Use a different fresh herb, such as rosemary or basil.
    Plate with mushroom quinoa risotto with fresh thyme sprinkled on top.
    Fresh thyme sprinkled on top of the mushroom quinoa risotto finishes the dish.

    Storage, Reheating

    • Refrigerator - Store leftover mushroom quinoa in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. We do not recommend freezing this recipe because the quinoa will become mushy.
    • Reheat - Add 1-2 tablespoons of broth or water to the leftover portion. Warm on the stovetop over low heat, stirring until heated through. Alternatively, cover and heat in the microwave for several minutes.

    More Recipes with Quinoa

    • Bowl of Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili with Quinoa
      Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili with Quinoa
    • Quinoa fruit salad with honey lime dressing in a serving bowl with strawberries, blueberries, and pineapple next to it.
      Quinoa Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
    • Kale quinoa salad with sesame aioli in a bowl.
      Kale Quinoa Salad with Sesame Aioli

    Did you make this recipe?
    Please leave a rating and tell us how you liked it!

    📋 Recipe

    Cheesy mushroom quinoa on a plate with Parmesan cheese and thyme in the background.

    Cheesy Mushroom Quinoa

    Cheesy Mushroom Quinoa is a gluten-free risotto that's creamy and healthy! Serve it as a side dish or light meatless main meal.
    5 from 3 votes
    Email Ingredients + Recipe
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Author: Marjory Pilley

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup quinoa well-rinsed
    • 2 cups vegetable broth low-salt
    • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
    • 8 ounces mushrooms white or baby bella, finely chopped with a knife or food processor
    • ½ white onion diced
    • ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated: Nutritional yeast for vegan version.
    • 1 Tablespoon fresh thyme 1 teaspoon dried
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Place quinoa and broth in a pot and bring to a boil.
    • Reduce to simmer, cover and cook for about 15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Grains will be soft and translucent and the germ ring will be visible on the outside of the grain.
    • While the quinoa is cooking, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
    • Saute mushrooms and onions for about 5 minutes or until softened and tender.
    • When quinoa has finished cooking, add it to the skillet with the mushrooms and onions.
    • Stir in cheese and thyme.
    • Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
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    Nutrition

    Calories: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 206mg | Potassium: 462mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 187IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 180mg | Iron: 3mg
    Nutritional and Food Safety Disclaimer

    This recipe was first published on 3/29/14 and has been updated to improve the reader experience.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. LeAnn @ Real Fit, Real Food Mom

      April 03, 2014 at 6:02 am

      This looks awesome! I love quinoa and I love mushrooms. I will definitely be pinning this recipe for later. And by the way, our family hasn't seen Frozen yet either... I'm thinking we really are the last ones!! (I hear the Easter Bunny may be bringing it, though.) 😉

      Reply
      • Marjory

        April 03, 2014 at 7:42 am

        Thanks! This is one of my favorite recipes these days. My kids are shying away from animated movies these days...but we all loved Frozen. Enjoy!!

        Reply
    2. Nellie

      May 14, 2018 at 11:05 am

      5 stars
      Love this healthy, comforting dish!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        May 14, 2018 at 11:45 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
    3. April

      May 14, 2018 at 11:39 am

      5 stars
      Yum! I like quinoa but don't eat it very often as I'm never sure how to prepare it. I think this looks perfect and would make a great side to some chicken! Yum!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        May 14, 2018 at 11:45 am

        Yes! It would be perfect with chicken!

        Reply
    4. April

      May 14, 2018 at 12:05 pm

      5 stars
      I absolutely love mushrooms - will definitely try this

      Reply

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