Description
This Simple Baked Spinach Casserole is a creamy, cheesy dish perfect for a comforting vegetarian meal. Combining fresh spinach, ricotta, and Parmesan with a crispy breadcrumb topping, it’s easy to prepare and bakes to a golden perfection. Ideal as a side or light main course, this casserole offers a delicious way to enjoy nutritious greens with a satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups Fresh Spinach (Roughly chopped)
- 1 cup Ricotta Cheese (Adds creaminess)
- 2 large Eggs (Binding agent for the casserole)
- 0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese (Grated, for flavor and crust)
- 2 cloves Garlic (Minced, for flavor)
- 1 medium Onion (Finely chopped)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (For sautéing)
- To taste Salt (For seasoning)
- To taste Pepper (For seasoning)
- 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs (For topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole.
- Sauté Onions: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent, softening the flavor base.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant, enhancing the aroma.
- Wilt Spinach: Add the roughly chopped spinach to the skillet and stir continuously until wilted, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
- Cool Mixture: Remove the skillet from heat and allow the spinach and onion mixture to cool slightly to avoid cooking the eggs in the next step.
- Mix Dairy and Eggs: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, eggs, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
- Season Mixture: Add salt and pepper to taste, seasoning the cheese and spinach blend evenly.
- Combine Spinach Mixture: Gently fold the cooled spinach mixture into the ricotta mixture, making sure ingredients are well incorporated without overmixing.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish lightly to prevent sticking and transfer the combined mixture into it. Smooth the surface with a spatula for even baking.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the measured breadcrumbs evenly over the top to create a crispy, golden crust when baked.
- Bake Casserole: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the casserole is set and the breadcrumb crust is a golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let the casserole cool for a few minutes to set further, then slice and serve warm for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- If fresh spinach is unavailable, frozen spinach can be used; ensure it is fully thawed and drained before cooking.
- You can add a pinch of nutmeg to the cheese mixture for an extra flavor dimension.
- The casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; add extra baking time if baking from chilled.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and melting quality.
