Oatmeal And Cheese: The Perfect Pairing

Oatmeal is often thought of as a sweet dish, but it can also be a savoury meal. Adding cheese to oatmeal is a great way to make it more savoury, and there are many different types of cheese that can be added to create a delicious and hearty breakfast.

Savoury oatmeal with cheddar and fried egg

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• Nonstick cooking spray
• 2 tablespoons shredded sharp cheddar
• 1 tablespoon thinly sliced scallion greens
• 1 egg

Method:

• In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Add the oats and a pinch of salt, then stir, reduce the heat, and simmer until tender (about 5 minutes).
• Meanwhile, heat a small nonstick pan over medium heat. Coat the pan lightly with cooking spray. Add the egg and cook until the white is set and the yolk is still runny (about 3 minutes). Season the egg with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve the oatmeal in a bowl topped with cheese, egg, and scallion greens.

Tips:

• You can use regular rolled oats for this recipe, but you can use any kind (instant, steel-cut, etc) as long as you follow the cooking instructions on the package.
• Cheddar is the first choice for cheese, but any melty cheese will work (American, Muenster, Monterey Jack, and Velveeta).
• For a lighter meal, use coconut oil spray instead of coconut oil.
• If you want to add more vegetables, cook leftover cooked vegetables from the previous day and add them to your oatmeal.

Cheesy oatmeal with avocado, green onions and everything bagel seasoning

Cheesy Oatmeal with Avocado, Green Onions, and Everything Bagel Seasoning

Cheesy oatmeal is a great way to change up your breakfast routine and add some extra protein to your morning bowl of oats. This recipe combines the creaminess of avocado with the savoury notes of green onions and everything bagel seasoning, resulting in a hearty and comforting breakfast option. Here's how you can make it:

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup quick-cooking steel-cut oats
• 2 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 2 Tbsp. low-sodium tamari (or soy sauce)
• 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 ripe avocado, sliced
• Everything bagel seasoning to taste
• Optional: soft- or hard-boiled egg for extra protein

Instructions:

• In a medium pot on the stove, bring water to a boil. Add the oats, reduce the heat, and simmer for about 7 minutes, or until cooked through and the water is absorbed.
• Remove from heat and stir in the cheese, tamari, and pepper. Continue stirring until the cheese is melted and fully incorporated.
• Serve the oatmeal with your desired toppings. For this recipe, we recommend sliced avocado, thinly sliced green onions, and a generous sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning.
• If you'd like, you can also add a soft- or hard-boiled egg for some extra protein.

Tips and Variations:

• You can scale up this recipe and make a large batch in advance. Store it in the fridge for a quick and easy breakfast throughout the week.
• If you prefer a different type of oatmeal, feel free to use old-fashioned or rolled oats instead. Just prepare them according to the package directions before adding the cheese, tamari, and pepper.
• For a more indulgent version, try adding leftover cooked ham or bacon to the oatmeal.
• If you're short on time, you can also make this recipe in an Instant Pot. Simply combine the oats, broth, salt, pepper, and cheese in a stackable pot or oven-safe vessel and cook on high pressure for 14 minutes.
• For a dairy-free option, replace the cheese with 1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast to give the oatmeal a savory cheesy flavour.

High-protein cottage cheese oatmeal

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1/2 banana, sliced (optional)
• Pinch of sea salt
• 1 1/4 cups water, milk, or a blend of both
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon + 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, optional
• 1/4 cup cottage cheese, or more to taste
• Flaxseed, peanut butter, banana slices, almond slices, and coconut flakes (optional toppings)

Method:

• Add the oats, banana slices, and sea salt to a pot.
• Pour in the water/milk and stir to combine.
• Add cinnamon and vanilla, if using.
• Heat over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until all the liquid has been absorbed.
• Remove the oatmeal from the heat and stir in the cottage cheese. Start with 1/4 cup and add more if desired.
• Transfer the oatmeal to a bowl and add your favorite toppings.

Tips:

• Don't add the cottage cheese before cooking your oats, as this will affect the consistency.
• If you don't like bananas, you can add another natural sweetener to sweeten the oats, such as maple syrup, honey, coconut sugar, or stevia.

Savoury oatmeal with chicken and spinach

Ingredients

• 2 to 3 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
• 1 cup leftover chicken, shredded or cut finely
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)
• Black pepper, freshly ground
• Soft-boiled, poached, or fried egg
• Green peas and chopped cherry tomatoes
• Chopped green onion (or chives)
• Crushed roasted peanuts (or sesame for garnish)
• Sesame oil, soy sauce, or chilli oil to finish the dish

Optional Ingredients

• Avocado
• Green onions
• Everything bagel seasoning
• Cheese
• Tamari
• Bacon
• Ham

Method

• Add chicken stock to a small pot and bring to a boil.
• Add rolled oats, leftover chicken, and spinach.
• Cook for 5 minutes until the oats are cooked through. Stir occasionally.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Add preferred toppings and serve hot.

Tips

• If you want a porridge texture, use 3 cups of chicken stock. If you like a creamier texture, use 2 cups of chicken stock.
• You can make the oatmeal ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave without a cover until hot. Stir once in between.
• Top with cheese, such as shredded extra-sharp cheddar or grated Parmesan.

Savoury oatmeal with baked eggs

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small shallot, thinly sliced
• 4 ounces of mushrooms, halved
• 4 ounces of baby spinach
• Chives, for serving
• 1 egg
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional:

• Avocado
• Green onions
• Everything bagel seasoning
• Sautéed greens (e.g. kale, chard, spinach)

Method:

First, make the oatmeal. You can do this in the microwave or on the stovetop.

If using the stovetop method, bring some water to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce the heat to low and add the oats. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the oats are soft and have absorbed most of the liquid (about 5 minutes). Remove from the heat, cover, and let stand for 2-3 minutes.

If you're using the microwave method, place the oats and water in a microwave-safe bowl. Line the dish with paper towels to catch any spills and heat on high in 1-minute intervals for a total of 2-3 minutes, stirring in between.

Once the oatmeal is cooked, stir in the parmesan cheese.

Next, cook the vegetables. Heat half a tablespoon of olive oil in a medium skillet and add the shallots. Cook for about 2 minutes, until they start to soften. Then, add the mushrooms and continue cooking for about 5 minutes, until browned. Finally, add the spinach and stir until wilted (about 1 minute). Spoon the vegetables over the cooked oats and set aside.

In the same skillet, heat the remaining olive oil and fry the egg until the whites are set. Serve the egg over the oatmeal and sprinkle with chives.

Tips:

• You can use rolled oats, steel-cut oats, or quick oats, but the texture will be much softer with quick oats.
• For a creamier texture, use milk instead of water.
• Use any vegetables you like! Bell peppers and wilted kale also work great as toppings.
• To make it vegan, use plant-based milk, skip the fried egg, and stir in vegan cheese or nutritional yeast.
• If cooking the oatmeal on the stovetop, be sure to boil the water before adding the oats to avoid overcooking them.
• The oatmeal can be made up to 5 days ahead of time and reheated on the stovetop. It's best to make the toppings fresh, just before serving.
• If using the microwave method, avoid using small bowls and don't microwave at full power to avoid spills.

Frequently asked questions