Quinoa "Mac and Cheese" with Turkey Meatballs

 

When I first read this recipe at Monica Nelson Fitness I was excited. I was thinking it would be like a creamy mac and cheese but healthified with quinoa.

I was a teeny tiny bit disappointed at the texture in the end - it wasn't very creamy. BUT, that being said, this dish is amazing in it's own right. If you are not expecting mac and cheese but, rather, a cheesy quinoa dish then you will not be disappointed.

I promise.

I pared it with some homemade turkey meatballs and had a lovely, healthy dinner that didn't feel like a healthy dinner.

I know, I know....people shake their heads at me because "healthy" scares me so much. I just happen to like it when healthy tastes like full-fat-blow-up-your-heart food.

Which this dinner did.

Win-win baby.

 

 

Quinoa "Mac and Cheese"

(Slightly adapted from Monica Nelson Fitness)

 

Ingredients

1 - 2 tsp olive oil

1 leek, sliced

1 small carrot, shredded

1/2 cup diced tomato

1 1/2 cups quinoa

pinch garlic salt

salt & pepper

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 cups water

2 eggs

1 cup milk

2 cups aged cheddar, shredded - divided

 

Directions

Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add leek, carrot, and tomato; cook and stir 5 minutes - until tender. Stir in quinoa, garlic salt, salt & pepper, and minced garlic, and cook, uncovered, about 5 minutes - until quinoa starts to turn opaque.

Add water. Cover and reduce heat, simmer for 15 - 20 minutes, until almost all of the liquid has been absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350.

Spray a 9 X 13 pan with cooking spray. Set aside.

Whisk together eggs and milk in a bowl. Stir this very well into the quinoa. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the aged cheddar. Pour into the prepared 9 X 13 pan.

 

 

It will look a little soupy but that is okay. It soaks in while it bakes.

Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup aged cheddar and place in oven. Bake for about 20 - 30 minutes, until browned around the edges.

 

 

These photos are from the first time I made this dish. I didn't have enough cheese to sprinkle extra on top so that is why you can't see any in the photo. The second time I made it, I did sprinkle the extra cheese on top. I definitely recommend the extra cheese on top. It makes it extra delicious!

 

 

The calorie count - according to the blog I found this on, Monica Nelson Fitness, is 339 calories for 1/6th of the entire recipe. That would be 1/6th of a 9 X 13 pan!! Holy heck!!

Waaaaaaaay better calorie count than actual Mac and Cheese!

 

And now, a simple turkey meatball recipe.

 

 

Turkey Meatballs

 

Ingredients

1 lb ground turkey

2 Tbsp pesto

1 Tbsp prepared mustard

1 egg

2 Tbsp finely chopped onion

1/4 cup panko bread crumbs

 

Directions

Preheat oven to 400. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, mix together all 5 ingredients. Using a small cookie scoop, place meatballs on prepared cookie sheet. (If you don't have a cookie scoop, simply pinch off golf ball sized pieces and roll into balls.)

 

 

Bake in 400 oven for about 20 - 25 minutes. Until meatballs are cooked through.

 

 

Super simple.

These went really well with the Quinoa "Mac and Cheese" and a side of Cucumber Salad.

Holy, I had an entire meal of healthy stuff and was completely satisfied.

I'm impressed.

 

Head over to The Mandatory Mooch for some great links.