Cheesy Sausage, Broccoli, and Quinoa Casserole

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 cups

water

2 cups

uncooked quinoa, rinsed and drained

1 1/2 tbsp

olive oil, divided

1/2 cup

chopped yellow onion

1/2 cup

chopped carrot

links sweet chicken Italian sausage, casings removed

1/4 cup

all-purpose flour

2 tbsp

unsalted butter

garlic cloves, finely chopped

2 cups

whole milk

2 cups

unsalted chicken stock (such as Swanson)

6 cups

chopped fresh broccoli florets

1 tbsp

chopped fresh thyme, divided

1/2 tsp

kosher salt, divided

1/2 tsp

freshly ground black pepper, divided

1/4 tsp

crushed red pepper

Cooking spray

1/2 cup

whole-wheat panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)

4 oz

cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)