Description
This Simple Baked Spinach Casserole is a creamy, savory dish that combines fresh spinach with ricotta and Parmesan cheeses, bound together with eggs and topped with crispy breadcrumbs. Perfect as a comforting side or a light vegetarian main, it features sautéed onions and garlic for added depth of flavor, baked to golden perfection.
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 reaches the perfect temperature for baking the casserole.
- Sauté Onions: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté it until translucent, about 5 minutes, to develop a sweet, savory base.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant, enhancing the overall aroma and flavor.
- Wilt Spinach: Add the roughly chopped fresh spinach to the skillet and stir until wilted, approximately 3-4 minutes, softening the greens and integrating the flavors.
- Cool Mixture: Remove the skillet from heat and let the spinach and onion mixture cool slightly to prevent curdling when mixing with the cheese and eggs.
- Mix Dairy and Eggs: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, eggs, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until the mixture is creamy and smooth, creating a rich base.
- Season: Add salt and pepper to taste, balancing the savory flavors in the mixture.
- Combine Mixtures: Fold the cooled spinach and onion mixture into the ricotta blend gently to combine all ingredients uniformly without breaking down the texture.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish lightly to prevent sticking, then transfer the combined mixture into the dish and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Add Topping: Evenly sprinkle 0.5 cup of breadcrumbs over the surface to create a crispy, golden crust after baking.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the casserole is set and the top is golden brown and crispy.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let the casserole cool a few minutes to firm up before slicing and serving warm.
Notes
- Fresh spinach can be substituted with frozen spinach; just be sure to thaw and drain thoroughly to avoid excess moisture.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
- You can add a pinch of nutmeg to the cheese mixture for a subtle warm spice note.
- If a crispier top is desired, broil for the last 2-3 minutes—watch closely to prevent burning.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated before baking for convenience.
