How to Make the Perfect Creamed Spinach Bake
American · Medium · 45 min · 6 servings
Rich and velvety creamed spinach baked until bubbling with a golden breadcrumb topping. This comforting classic is the perfect side dish for any dinner occasion.
Why this recipe works
This Creamed Spinach Bake recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 45 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 210 calories with 7g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 10 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 20 oz frozen chopped spinach thawed and squeezed dry
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1.5 cup whole milk
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 0.5 tsp ground nutmeg
- 0.5 tsp salt
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Spinach
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Squeeze every bit of moisture from the thawed spinach using a clean kitchen towel. This step is critical and should not be skipped as excess water will ruin the sauce.
Step 2: Build the Sauce
Melt butter in a large oven safe skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more then whisk in flour and cook for 2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
Step 3: Finish the Cream Sauce
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Cook over medium heat stirring frequently for about 4 minutes until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and nutmeg.
Step 4: Combine and Top
Fold the dry squeezed spinach into the cream sauce until fully combined. Smooth the top and scatter Parmesan cheese and panko breadcrumbs evenly over the surface.
Step 5: Bake Until Golden
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- frozen spinach → fresh spinach wilted and chopped works great
- whole milk → half and half for an even richer sauce
- panko breadcrumbs → crushed crackers or regular breadcrumbs
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not squeezing enough moisture from the spinach which makes the sauce watery and thin
- Adding all the milk at once instead of gradually which creates a lumpy sauce
- Skipping the flour cook time which leaves an unpleasant raw starchy flavor in the finished dish
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 210 calories, 7g protein, 12g carbs, 15g fat, 3g fiber.
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