This Cheesy Oatmeal is a savory take on the breakfast classic, filled with three types of cheese, sautéed garlic, and caramelized onions. Top with an egg and some creamy avocado and you’ve got the most cozy, hearty, and delicious meal ready in just 15 minutes.
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About these Oats
Savory Cheesy Oatmeal. Yep, I said it. If you’re turning your nose up at it, I too, thought it couldn’t possibly be a good idea. But leave out the sweetener and berries and instead turn to salty, tangy cheesy with caramelized vegetables for a delicious oatmeal experience you can enjoy any time of day.
These cheesy oats are so cozy and remind me of a cross between cheese grits and a bowl of morning porridge. If you’ve tried my Cheesy Mushroom Rice Pilaf, the flavors are similar, but with caramelized onions and three different types of cheese melted throughout.
Savory oats are wonderful with an egg on top for a hearty breakfast, or even consider them for dinner with grilled chicken or shrimp added on top. It may not be a meal you’re used to, but with how simple and delicious this recipe is, it could easily become a new favorite.
Looking for sweeter oats instead? Try these Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats or these Chocolate Strawberry Oats that I’m sure you’ll love, too!
Recipe Ingredients
- Oats: Old fashioned is best. Steel cut are delicious but will take much longer to cook.
- Cheese: I used cheddar and parmesan mixed in and feta on top.
- Onions: I suggest a white onion and sweet onion. We will caramelize this in olive oil and mix it into the cheesy oats.
- Liquid: To cook the oats, we will use broth and milk. You can use all one or all of the other depending what you have.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
Cheese: Any cheese you enjoy can go into these oats. Try Pepper Jack or Habanero Cheddar to bring a bit of heat to the dish or take a creamier route by stirring in goat cheese, brie or even mascarpone.
Oats: You could instead use quinoa, rice, or Right Rice as the base, cooked according to package instructions. You could also add steamed cauliflower rice to your oats for more volume and extra veggies.
Veggies: Don’t stop at the caramelized onions. Add in sautéed spinach or mushrooms. Zucchini or squash would be tasty additions, too.
Toppings: Anything you’d enjoy on rice, would go great on these oats! Top with roasted veggies, protein like chicken, tofu, or bacon, herbs like fresh parsley, chives, or thyme, and reach for a creamy dressing or sauce for drizzling (I love this Tahini Dressing on top).
How to Make This Recipe
1. Heat a sauce pot to medium heat. Add olive oil, minced garlic, and sliced white onions.
2. Allow the onions to saute for 4-6 minutes. Add in 1 tablespoon of diced green onions. Stir.
3. Pour vegetable broth and milk into the pan. Let the mixture to come to a boil. Add a pinch of salt + red pepper flakes and stir again.
4. Add the oats. Cover the pot with a lid and let the oats cook for 5-8 minutes, depending on desired texture. You may need to stir 1-2x so the oats do not burn.
5. Use a rubber spatula to stir in cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese.
6. Once all of the liquid is absorbed and the oats are soft, divide between two serving bowls. Top each bowl with a soft boiled egg, arugula diced tomatoes, greek yogurt, avocado, remaining green onions, and feta cheese. Stir together and enjoy!
Dietary Considerations
- Gluten Free: Just double check your oats are certified gluten free and you’re good to go.
- Dairy Free: Instead of the cheeses, stir in a couple of tablespoons of nutritional yeast and use almond milk instead of dairy milk.
- Vegan: Use the dairy free swaps above, and instead of an egg on top cook up some crispy tofu!
Recipe FAQs
These oats hold up well in the fridge and are a great option for meal prep! Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can reheat the oats stove top or in the microwave. I suggest stirring in a splash of water, milk, or cream before reheating to avoid drying out your oats.
Savory Oatmeal can be eaten for any meal of the day or even a tasty snack. For breakfast, I like to have it in the morning with a soft boiled egg on top or for dinner, Cheesy Oatmeal is delicious with grilled chicken, steak, or even shrimp on top.
If cooking your oatmeal stovetop, it’s important to leave your oats alone while they cook. You want to stir occasionally so your oats don’t get stuck to the bottom of the pan, but stirring too much will cause more starch build up, which creates a slimy, glue-like texture.
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Recipe
Cheesy Oatmeal
Equipment
- Sauce pot
- Rubber Spatula
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp olive oil
- ¼ white onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup + 2 tbsp old fashioned oats
- ⅔ cup vegetable broth
- ½ cup skim milk, or milk of choice
- 2 tbsp green onion, divided
- ¼ cup cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup feta cheese
- pinch salt & red pepper flakes
Toppings
- ½ avocado, sliced
- 2 soft boiled eggs
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, diced
- ½ cup plain greek yogurt
- ½ cup arugula
Instructions
- Heat a sauce pot to medium heat. Add olive oil, minced garlic, and sliced white onions.
- Allow the onions to saute for 4-6 minutes. Add in 1 tablespoon of diced green onions. Stir.
- Pour vegetable broth and milk into the pan. Let the mixture to come to a boil. Add a pinch of salt + red pepper flakes and stir again.
- Add the oats. Cover the pot with a lid and let the oats cook for 5-8 minutes, depending on desired texture. You may need to stir 1-2x so the oats do not burn.
- Use a rubber spatula to stir in cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese.
- Once all of the liquid is absorbed and the oats are soft, divide between two serving bowls. Top each bowl with a soft boiled egg, arugula diced tomatoes, greek yogurt, avocado, remaining green onions, and feta cheese.
- Stir together and enjoy!
Nutrition
Notes
Looking for this in MyFitnessPal?
If you're using MyFitnessPal, search 'A Paige Of Positivity' and find CHEESY OATMEAL calories and nutrition facts. Disclaimer: for most accurate macronutrients and caloric breakdown, it is recommended that you input each ingredient into your MyFitnessPal food diary.
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved or just say hi!
Courtney Paige says
Thank you TikTok for encouraging me to try this! So flavorful, I loved it.
Sydney Van Acker says
Im obsessed with cheesy oatmeal. Not quite grits, but a similar vibe. these are OH so cozy. I used EBB seasoning in it - highly recommend.