Description
This Simple Baked Spinach Casserole is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring fresh spinach, ricotta, and Parmesan cheese baked to a golden perfection with a crunchy breadcrumb topping. Perfect as a comforting side or a light main, it combines sautéed spinach and onions with a cheesy egg-based mixture, baked in a 9×9-inch dish for an easy and wholesome meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 4 cups Fresh Spinach (Roughly chopped)
- 1 medium Onion (Finely chopped)
- 2 cloves Garlic (Minced)
Dairy & Eggs
- 1 cup Ricotta Cheese (Adds creaminess)
- 0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese (Grated, for flavor and crust)
- 2 large Eggs (Binding agent for the casserole)
Others
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (For sautéing)
- 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs (For topping)
- Salt to taste (For seasoning)
- Pepper to taste (For seasoning)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Sauté Onions: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent, which takes about 5 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional minute until fragrant to infuse flavor.
- Cook Spinach: Stir in the roughly chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 3-4 minutes, mixing well with the onions and garlic.
- Cool Mixture: Remove the skillet from heat and let the spinach mixture cool slightly to avoid cooking the eggs prematurely.
- Mix Cheeses and Eggs: In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, eggs, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Season: Add salt and pepper to taste, mixing well to evenly distribute the seasoning.
- Combine Mixtures: Gently fold the wilted spinach mixture into the creamy cheese blend until thoroughly combined.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish lightly, then transfer the combined mixture into it, smoothing the top evenly.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the surface to create a crunchy topping after baking.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is set.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Make sure to squeeze excess moisture from spinach if using frozen to prevent a watery casserole.
- Serve this casserole warm as a side dish or a light vegetarian main course.
- You can substitute breadcrumbs with crushed crackers or panko for a different texture.
- Adding herbs like basil or thyme can enhance the flavor profile if desired.
