This Creamy Spinach Casserole Recipe Is Perfect for Busy Weeknights — Oven-Ready in 10 Minutes

Casseroles: the ultimate weeknight lifesaver. We can all appreciate this one-pan wonder that throws together simple ingredients for a fuss-free, comforting meal. But sometimes, casseroles can be a bit heavy. Well, we thought we’d shake things up with a version that’s light, fresh and bursting with flavor: spinach casserole. Picture vibrant green spinach baked in a creamy sauce and topped with melted golden cheese. But the best part? We found the perfect recipe that ditches the usual ingredients for healthier, high-protein swaps like cottage cheese and eggs. You’ll find this dish tastes so satisfying with only 10 minutes of prep. Plus, learn how to properly prepare spinach and fun crunchy topping ideas to try. Here’s what to know to make spinach casserole.

What is spinach casserole?

Think of spinach casserole as a cross between creamed spinach and a green bean casserole. Like many casseroles, it has a creamy texture and rich flavor. Typically, this dish combines tender spinach leaves with a base of heavy cream or cream of mushroom soup, butter and cheese. Additional ingredients also include onions, garlic, artichoke hearts and mushrooms. Cheese plays an important role in providing that extra depth of flavor and gooey texture. Some recipes may also incorporate breadcrumbs or a crispy topping for extra texture and visual appeal.

The facts about spinach

We love any excuse to sneak spinach into a meal since these leaves can do a lot of good for us. Spinach offers great nutritional value that can contribute to overall health and well-being.

“It is very high in fiber and also rich in a variety of antioxidant vitamins and minerals such as carotenoids, which our body converts into vitamin A, and vitamin C, which are antioxidants beneficial for our immune system,” says Megan Lyons, certified clinical nutritionist, board certified holistic nutritionist and founder of The Lyon’s Share Wellness. “Additionally, spinach is a significant source of vitamin K, which plays a crucial role in blood clotting.”

Lyons adds that spinach “is also an excellent source of iron, making it beneficial for individuals with anemia when consumed alongside another source of vitamin C to enhance iron absorption.”

Choosing frozen vs. fresh

Some spinach casserole recipes call for fresh spinach, while others frozen. Both have their advantages and can be used interchangeably. Fresh spinach, on one hand, has a brighter, vibrant flavor and crisp texture. While it does require washing and trimming before use, it cooks quickly and easily.

Frozen spinach, on the other hand, has convenience on its side. It’s already cleaned, chopped and blanched before freezing and readily available year found. Additionally, it contains much of its nutritional value. “I often use frozen spinach, adding a generous portion to smoothies for a nutrient boost,” says Lyons. Overall, it all comes down to personal preference. But if you can get it, we recommend fresh for better flavor and texture.

How to prepare spinach

Properly preparing spinach ensures that it’s clean, tender and flavorful in your spinach casserole. First, wash it thoroughly under running cold water to get rid of any dirt or debris. Next, trim off any tough stems or bruised leaves from the spinach bunch.

With fresh spinach, you can cook the leaves several different ways until they wilt and become tender. Blanching is a quick cooking method that involves briefly immersing the spinach leaves in boiling water, then immediately transferring them to an ice water bath to stop the cooking process. This helps preserve the vibrant green color of the spinach while tenderizing the leaves. However, if you prefer a richer flavor, you can sauté the spinach with onions, garlic or other aromatics before adding it to your casserole. We recommend using a small amount of oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat.

Making spinach casserole healthy

Yes, a healthy spinach casserole exists, and it doesn’t take much to make. With a few simple swaps, you can reduce calories and saturated fat without compromising on taste or texture. Executive chef Tamara Earl at Delectablez restaurant shares her tips below.

1. Choose a lighter cheese

We fully support adding more protein when you can to your everyday meals. So instead of full-fat cheeses, Earl recommends using plant-based cheese or choose a lower-fat cheese option. These include cottage cheese or reduced fat feta. Did you know that protein accounts for over 70% of the calories in cottage cheese? Feta additionally has high amounts of calcium, fewer calories and melts well in sauces.

2. Make a healthy cream sauce

Instead of using heavy cream or canned soup, make your sauce using low-sodium broth, whole wheat flour and a splash of milk. This will help reduce the overall calorie and sodium content of your casserole while still providing creaminess. You can also replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt for extra protein and probiotics. Alternatively, if you want to skip the sauce altogether, eggs make a great nutritious binding agent.

3. Add vegetables

“You can also bulk up the casserole with additional vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or tomatoes,” adds Earl. “This will help add flavor and pack the dish with more nutrition.”

Healthy spinach casserole recipe

If you love throwing everything into one pan and letting the oven do all the work, then healthy spinach casserole should be next on your menu. This easy recipe from BellyFull takes less an hour and uses cottage cheese and feta for the perfect creamy texture. While you can still use fresh spinach, it saves you some time with frozen spinach.

Feta and Spinach Casserole

Ingredients:

• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 10 oz. package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained (or 1½ cups cooked fresh spinach)
• ⅓ cup crumbled feta
• ⅓ cup diced sweet onion
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 2 Tbs. freshly grated Parmesan
• ⅛ tsp. black pepper
• ⅛ tsp. garlic powder
• Dash of nutmeg

Directions:

• Active Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Then, grease a 9-inch square casserole dish and set aside.
2. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix until combined. Then transfer to the greased dish.
3. Bake, uncovered, for about 40-45 minutes or until the center is nearly set. Sprinkle more cheese or preferred crunchy topping in the last few minutes until browned.
4. Let cool for 5-10 minutes, then cut, serve and enjoy!

Note: If you have extra time, sauté the onions first before adding to the mixture to enhance the dish’s flavor.

Storage notes

You can prepare spinach casserole up to one day ahead if stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Before baking, bring it to room temperature. To store leftovers, make sure the casserole has cooled. Then, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. We recommend not freezing spinach casserole, as the spinach mixture can become water once thawed.

Creative spinach casserole toppings

When it comes to topping your healthy spinach casserole, the possibilities don’t stop at cheese. Adding creative and nutritious toppings can take your casserole up a notch without compromising nutrition. Here, some ideas to get you started.

1. Herb-infused olive oil drizzle

Create a flavorful olive oil drizzle by combining extra virgin olive oil with chopped fresh herbs like basil, thyme or rosemary in a bowl. Drizzle this mixture over the top of your casserole before serving.

2. Crispy onion bits

Have some leftover onions? Thinly slice and throw them in the air fryer or oven until golden and crispy. Crush them over your casserole after baking.  

3. Crushed whole grain crackers

A popular casserole topping, but now with a healthy twist. Multigrain or flaxseed varieties create a crunchy and nutritious crumble.

4. Toasted almond slices

Toasted almonds add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to your casserole. Sprinkle them over the top of before baking for an elevated touch.

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