Description
My favorite Spinach Casserole came together when unexpected guests dropped by and needed a quick, hearty side dish. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with green goodness, this simple recipe turns basic ingredients into a crowd-pleasing comfort meal that saves dinnertime in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
Protein and Binding:
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
Seasonings:
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
Optional Seasonings:
- Garlic powder
- Nutmeg
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Drain 2 cups of spinach completely using a fine-mesh strainer, pressing out excess liquid with paper towels. Ensure spinach is moisture-free for best texture.
- Crack 2 large eggs into a spacious mixing bowl. Whisk them until smooth and pale yellow.
- Add ¼ cup mayonnaise to the eggs. Blend thoroughly until mixture looks creamy and consistent.
- Incorporate 1 cup Parmesan cheese and 1 cup mozzarella into the egg mixture. Stir until evenly distributed.
- Sprinkle ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper into the bowl. Mix gently to distribute seasonings.
- Fold drained spinach into the cheese mixture. Ensure every spinach leaf gets coated with the creamy base.
- Grease a 9-inch ceramic baking dish with cooking spray or butter. Spread spinach mixture evenly across the surface.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place casserole in center rack for precise heat distribution.
- Bake for 35 minutes until edges turn golden brown and center appears firm when gently shaken.
- Remove from oven and let casserole rest 5 minutes. This helps stabilize the texture before serving.
- Slice into square portions. Serve warm as a hearty side or light vegetarian main course.
Notes
- Drain spinach completely to prevent a watery casserole, pressing out excess moisture with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
- Experiment with cheese varieties like sharp cheddar or goat cheese to customize the flavor profile and keep the dish interesting.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute Greek yogurt for mayonnaise and use reduced-fat cheeses without compromising the creamy texture.
- Make this dish gluten-free by ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free, especially if using pre-shredded cheese which sometimes contains anti-caking agents.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 313 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 570 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg