Kamil Perry
Spinach and cheese is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as a side or main course. There are many ways to cook spinach and cheese, including baking, sautéing, and creaming. The key to a successful spinach and cheese dish is to use fresh, high-quality ingredients and to cook the spinach just enough so that it wilts but doesn't become mushy. This dish can be adapted in countless ways, such as adding breadcrumbs, red pepper flakes, nutmeg, or different types of cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recipe | Baked Spinach & Cheese |
| Ingredients | Spinach, Butter, Garlic, Onion, Cream, Cheese (Parmesan, Provolone, Cream Cheese, Feta, Cheddar), Breadcrumbs, Olive Oil, Nutmeg, Salt, Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes, Lemon Juice |
| Cookware | Large skillet, saucepan, baking dish, casserole |
| Preparation | Wilt spinach, add garlic, onion, and butter, stir in cream and cheese, season, bake |
| Serving | Best served hot, can be paired with steak, pork chops, or other proteins |
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What You'll Learn
Spinach and cheese bake
This spinach and cheese bake recipe is a cross between creamed spinach and a spinach souffle. It's a quick and easy recipe that yields a delicious, rich, and creamy side dish.
Ingredients:
- 3 (10-ounce) bags of fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- Butter
- 1/2 small onion, finely minced
- 2-3 cloves of garlic, finely minced
- Heavy cream or cream cheese
- Salt
- Red pepper flakes or black pepper
- Breadcrumbs (optional)
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the chopped spinach and cook until wilted. This should take about 3-5 minutes. Make sure to stir the spinach occasionally to prevent overcooking. You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your skillet.
- Once wilted, transfer the spinach to a colander and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt a knob of butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 3-5 minutes. Then, add the garlic and cook for another minute, being careful not to let it burn.
- Add the wilted spinach back to the skillet and stir to combine.
- If using heavy cream, add it now and stir until combined. Otherwise, if using cream cheese, add it and stir until melted and creamy.
- Season the mixture with salt and red pepper flakes or black pepper to taste.
- Transfer the mixture to a medium baking dish. If desired, sprinkle a layer of breadcrumbs on top of the spinach mixture to prevent the cheese from burning.
- Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, browned, and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Feel free to adjust the measurements and cooking times to your taste and serving needs. You can also add extra ingredients, such as nutmeg, oregano, parsley, or bacon, to enhance the flavour.
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Creamed spinach with Parmesan
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of trimmed fresh spinach or 3 (10-ounce) bags of clean, roughly chopped fresh spinach
- Butter
- 1 medium shallot or onion, chopped
- 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 1/4 cups of heavy cream
- 1 cup of milk
- 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Place the spinach in a colander and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. Set aside.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the shallot or onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook for another 20 seconds to 1 minute, until softened and aromatic.
- Add the spinach, cream, and milk to the pan. Stir to combine.
- Tear the provolone cheese into small pieces and add to the pan. Stir until the cheese is melted and coats the spinach.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese and continue to cook and stir until the mixture is thickened.
- Season with salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper to taste.
- Serve hot as a side dish or main course.
Variations and Tips
- You can add breadcrumbs to the top of the dish for a crunchy texture.
- If using fresh spinach, remove the bigger stems and give the leaves a rough chop before wilting them in the pan.
- To wilt the spinach, cook it over medium-high heat until it is wilted and then drain the excess liquid.
- You can also add other ingredients such as nutmeg, oregano, parsley, or bacon to the dish for extra flavor.
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Wilted spinach with garlic and cream cheese
Firstly, prepare your spinach. Using boxed or bagged pre-washed baby spinach is the easiest option, but this dish also works well with larger spinach leaves. If using the latter, be sure to trim the large stems and clean the leaves well before use, as they tend to be sandy. Roughly chop the leaves.
Next, heat a large skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the spinach to the pan and cook until wilted. This should only take around 3 to 5 minutes. Be careful not to overcook the spinach, as it will turn dark, mushy, and bitter. Once wilted, drain the spinach in a colander, squeezing out as much liquid as possible.
Now, it's time to add flavour to the dish. Melt some butter in the same pan over medium heat. You can use salted butter for both richness and seasoning. Add some finely minced garlic to the melted butter and cook until fragrant. Smashing whole garlic cloves with the side of a knife before adding them to the pan will release their aromatic oils while keeping the flavour gentle.
Once the garlic is fragrant, add the cream cheese to the pan and stir until it is melted and combined with the spinach. You can also add some Parmesan cheese at this stage for extra flavour. Continue stirring until the mixture is creamy.
Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste. Carefully taste the dish and add more seasoning if desired. You can also add some red pepper flakes for heat or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness. Serve warm, with the grated Parmesan sprinkled on top.
And that's it! A simple, yet delicious wilted spinach and cream cheese dish, ready to be enjoyed.
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Spinach with butter and Parmesan
This Spinach with Butter and Parmesan recipe is a simple, yet delicious side dish that only takes 4 ingredients and 5 minutes to make!
Ingredients:
- Spinach
- Butter
- Garlic
- Parmesan Cheese
Instructions:
First, melt the butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add in the garlic and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté for about a minute or two until the garlic just starts to turn golden brown. Next, throw in the spinach and toss it around until it starts to wilt. This will happen very quickly.
Remove the pan from the heat before adding the final sprinkle of Parmesan. This prevents the cheese from melting and sticking to the pan. Sprinkle a little more than half of the Parmesan over the top and toss some more. You can save the stems if you're using bunched spinach. They're perfect for juicing, making soups, or adding to green smoothies.
This cooked spinach recipe is wonderfully versatile and can be adapted in countless ways: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top for brightness. Include toasted pine nuts or walnuts for crunch. Mix in sun-dried tomatoes for a sweet-tangy contrast. Use brown butter for an extra nutty flavor profile.
This parmesan spinach side dish pairs beautifully with so many main courses. You can serve it alongside roasted beef tenderloin for a special occasion dinner, or as the perfect accompaniment to a big pot of homemade Italian meatballs or extra crispy chicken Parmesan for a classic Italian-American meal.
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Spinach and cheese casserole
Ingredients:
- Spinach (fresh or frozen)
- Cheese (cheddar, Parmesan, cream cheese, mozzarella, or a combination)
- Butter or olive oil
- Onion (yellow or green)
- Garlic
- Seasonings (salt, pepper, nutmeg, red pepper flakes)
- Breadcrumbs (optional)
- Cream or milk (optional)
Instructions:
Start by preparing the spinach. If using fresh spinach, wash and roughly chop the leaves. It is important to use a large pot as spinach reduces significantly in volume while cooking. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the spinach. Cook until wilted, then remove from the heat and drain any excess liquid by squeezing the spinach or using a colander. If using frozen spinach, thaw it and ensure all excess moisture is removed by squeezing it thoroughly.
Next, prepare the cheese sauce. Melt butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and garlic, sautéing until tender. You can also use olive oil instead of butter for a healthier option. Add the spinach back into the skillet and stir in cream or milk, if desired. Combine this mixture with your choice of cheese. For a classic option, go with cheddar, or try Parmesan for a nuttier flavour. You can also use cream cheese for extra creaminess or a combination of cheeses like cheddar and mozzarella for a diverse flavour profile.
Season the mixture with salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste. For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper. Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish. Top with breadcrumbs for added texture and flavour, if desired.
Finally, bake the casserole in the oven at a temperature between 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese is browned and bubbly.
Your spinach and cheese casserole is now ready to be served! This dish is a perfect side or main course and can be paired with steak, pork chops, or any other protein of your choice. Enjoy the comforting flavours of this easy-to-make casserole!
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to cook spinach with cheese, including baking, sautéing, and creaming.
Melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and onion and cook until tender. Add spinach and stir until wilted. Add cream and stir until combined. Finally, stir in shredded cheese until melted and combined.
Common cheeses used in creamed spinach include Parmesan, provolone, and cream cheese. However, you can experiment with other cheeses like feta or cheddar.
To prevent the cheese in your baked spinach and cheese from burning, use a baker's heat shield or grate the cheese over the dish after removing it from the oven.
Spinach and cheese is a versatile dish that can be served as a side or main course. It pairs well with meat, such as steak, pork chops, or chicken. It can also be served with potatoes, rice, or pasta.
