Description
Hearty spinach white bean gratin with bacon brings together creamy legumes and crisp pork in a comforting Mediterranean-inspired dish. Savory layers of ingredients create a rich, satisfying experience you’ll want to savor at your next family gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided, plus more for serving)
- 2 cups baby spinach (stems removed)
- 2 cans (14 oz / 397 g each) cannellini beans (drained and rinsed)
- 3 slices bacon (cooked crispy and crumbled)
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ⅓ cup jarred roasted red peppers (diced)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp fresh chopped basil or rosemary
- Coarse salt
- Fresh black pepper
Instructions
- Prep Workspace: Preheat oven to 400°F and generously grease an 8×8 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to ensure effortless serving.
- Vegetable Foundation: In a large skillet over medium-low heat, sauté diced onion, chopped red bell pepper, and minced garlic with salt and black pepper until vegetables soften and become translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
- Bean and Spinach Integration: Add chicken broth, most white beans, and fresh spinach leaves to the skillet. Simmer for 5 minutes, allowing spinach to wilt. Mash reserved white beans into a rustic paste and fold into the mixture to enhance texture and thickness.
- Flavor Enhancement: Remove skillet from heat, incorporating freshly chopped basil and half the Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
- Baking Preparation: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading uniformly. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese on top to create a golden, crispy crust.
- Final Cooking and Presentation: Bake for 20 minutes until cheese melts and turns slightly brown. After removing from oven, garnish with crispy crumbled bacon. Serve immediately with additional Parmesan cheese on the side for those desiring extra richness.
Notes
- Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop vegetables and measure ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process and reduce kitchen stress.
- Bean Texture Trick: Mashing reserved beans creates natural thickener, enhancing overall dish consistency without extra flour or cornstarch.
- Cheese Selection Tip: Use freshly grated Parmesan for maximum flavor; pre-shredded varieties lack depth and melt differently.
- Bacon Customization: Swap bacon with pancetta or vegetarian bacon bits to accommodate dietary preferences without compromising dish’s savory profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking, Sautéing, Broiling
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg