Broccoli Cheddar Oatmeal Bake is a savory way to use oats that taste like a comforting bowl of broccoli cheddar soup, but it's a healthy breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Gluten Free & Vegetarian
By posting this recipe, I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by National Dairy Council and the Quaker Oats Center of Excellence and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time. (Contest Ended)
Post updated 2/15/17
UPDATE This recipe has a video now! Scroll down to the recipe card to see it!
This recipe is an old favorite in our house, it's Mr. Hungry's favorite HH recipe to date. I updated the photos, so I'm resharing it with you today! I'm leaving the original text below, have fun taking a trip down memory lane! ........
Happy Monday Friends! I can not tell you how excited I am to share this recipe with everyone. We've been eating it as a side dish for every meal; it is SO good! This Broccoli Cheddar Oatmeal Bake taste like a comforting, rich bowl of broccoli cheddar soup but in a healthy creamy oatmeal bake! In the words of Mr. Hungry "Crunchy, cheesy, are you making more soon?"
If you're like me, you most likely reserve your oat stash for a healthy and sweet breakfast option. Oatmeal, however, is a more versatile ingredient than we think. Its absorbent nature means it will take on the flavor of whatever you cook it with and yield a delicious chewy texture.
The idea for this recipe came from the idea to create a savory oats dish, something I had never tried before. My first idea was a "mac and cheese" type dish, but then I spotted the bag of broccoli in the fridge, and the rest is history.
Broccoli + Cheddar = Amazing. It's by far my favorite type of soup, but I don't eat soup when it's 110F or hotter outside. Luckily, this baked oatmeal version has all the flavor of broccoli cheddar soup, plus a deliciously crunchy crust layered on top a moist, cheesy center.
You can feel good about indulging in this classic comfort food too. Each serving is a good source of essential nutrients like potassium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and iron. Also, thanks to the 100% whole grain oats and low-fat dairy you'll get a filling 16gram punch of protein per serving.
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Broccoli Cheddar Oatmeal Bake
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon butter or ghee
- 5 teaspoon flour or gluten free flour blend
- 2 cups milk I used 2%
- 1 cup cheddar shredded
- ½ cup Greek yogurt I used whole milk
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic
- 2 cups old fashion oatmeal
- 3 cups chopped cooked broccoli
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Turn on burner to medium-low and melt butter in a medium nonstick skillet.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and ½ cup milk until completely smooth.
- Add flour mixture to skillet followed by the remaining milk (1.5 cups).
- Turn skillet up to medium and heat for 7-10 minutes until sauce mixture is thickened. Whisk constantly! If flour begins to stick to bottom remove from heat and turn it down before returning to heat. You will know your sauce is done when you feel some resistance on your whisk.
- Remove from heat add in greek yogurt, cheese, and seasonings. Whisk until all the cheese is melted and a smooth creamy sauce is achieved.
- In a large bowl combine oatmeal, broccoli, egg, baking soda and cheese mixture.
- Once the mixture is well combined add it to a greased 8x8 baking dish or 9 inch cake pan, and bake for 30-35 minutes until it is full set and inserted tooth pick comes out clean.
- (Additionally you can broil it for 30 seconds to one minute before removing from oven to get an extra crispy top. )
- Let cool for 5 minutes and serve!
Video
Nutrition
It's delicious! Let me know if you try it!
Looking for more healthy dishes pairing the power of oats and dairy? Check out these recipes:
Wild Blueberry Cottage Cheese Oatmeal
Regan @ The Healthy Aperture Blog says
This is like the ultimate healthy comfort food. Yum!
Marisa @ Uproot from Oregon says
How creative! Love what you mixed in here with the oats and dairy challenge!
Deanna Segrave-Daly (@tspbasil) says
LOVE this! I'm a totally lover of broccoli & cheese soup and this bake is right up my alley (pinning now.) So fun to see oats in a savory dishes 🙂
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
Oh my gosh me too I'm loving the savory dishes! I loved making this and eating it ha ha Broccoli Cheddar soup is my FAVORITE so I pretty much devoured this. Thanks for the pin 🙂
Serena says
Mmm! I can see why you've been eating it for every meal. My kids will love this!
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
Yes it was pretty irresistible! Let me know if you try it 🙂
Jenny Shea Rawn says
Broccoli and cheddar - this combo always reminds me of being a little girl! My mom served broccoli and cheese to us almost every night. This bake looks so yummy, especially the crunchy crust. Comfort food at its' best.
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
Awww that is such a cute story!!!! I could eat broccoli and cheddar anything every night of my life and be totally content!
Emily @ Zen & Spice says
What a unique combination, never would have thought to combine broccoli and oats and this looks SO good! Totally want to make it!
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
It was good, definitely give it a try and let me know what you think!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
Kelli, this looks AMAZING and something I would make for a meal in one breakfast- healthy fats, carbs and protein- pinning!
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
Thanks Arman!!!!
Sarah Grace says
Umm, this sounds delicious! I love the broccoli and cheddar combination. This was a great recipe for the contest!
xoxo Sarah Grace, Fresh Fit N Healthy.
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
Thanks! We loved eating it with all our meals!
Cassie says
I really need to try making a savory oatmeal recipe... love this one, pinning to make soon!!
Jessie says
I want this for breakfast! I love savory breakfasts, and anything with cheese is tops in my book, so this recipe is perfect! I can see this at a fun brunch, perhaps with a mimosa? 🙂
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
Me too! ANYTHING WITH CHEESE IS A WIN!
Kailey (Pint Size Foodie) says
Anything with broccoli in it is a winner in my book 🙂
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
Me too! It's by far my favorite veggie! The other day I literally ate a whole container from whole foods
Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily says
I love this! So much better/healthier than traditional broccoli casseroles.
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
healthy comfort food is the best!
Mary M. Martinez says
I’ve never tried oatmeal but this looks so beautiful! I’ve gotta give it a try soon!
healthy meals says
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Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
This is one I've gotta try!
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
It's right up your alley... CARBS! You could totally do almond milk for less lactose (but only 30 grams per serving)
Susie @ Suzlyfe says
Omg what a fun recipe! I totally am adding this to the arsenal!
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
let me know how you like it!
Garagegymplanner says
My wife just made this today but I can’t stop eating it and seriously it is so delicious and healthy. Thanks for sharing.
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
that's awesome!
Roy says
This is quite a clever recipe to get kids to eat broccoli. Definitely need to add this to next weeks meal plan.
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
thanks!
Robin G Jordan says
I don't like broccoli that has been overcooked. Overcooking not only turns the broccoli a drab olive green but also brings out the sulfurous flavor of an overcooked brassica. It is one of the reasons that folks serve it with the cheese sauce to disguise or hide the flavor. I usually quickly steam it or stir-fry and then steam it so it retains its bright color and light natural broccoli flavor. For broccoli purists like myself kale or swiss chard that has been lightly steamed can be substituted for the broccoli in this recipe. Both go well with oats and cheese. Any excess moisture in the kale or swiss chard should be squeezed from the kale or swiss chard before adding it to the mixture.
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
Great idea, let us know if you try those substitutions!