Ina Garten Creamed Spinach & Eggs Recipe

The Best Ina Garten Creamed Spinach & Eggs Recipe Ever

Creamy, luxurious spinach and eggs transform ordinary mornings into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Boursin and Gruyère cheeses mingle with fresh spinach, creating a symphony of rich, velvety flavors.

Shallots and butter add depth to this sophisticated breakfast classic.

Nutmeg whispers subtle warmth throughout the dish, elevating each delightful bite.

Home cooks can easily master this restaurant-worthy recipe with a few simple techniques.

The combination of smooth textures and robust ingredients promises a memorable meal: let’s dive in!

Creamed Spinach & Eggs That Feel Gourmet

  • Luxurious Creamy Comfort: Boursin cheese and heavy cream create an incredibly rich, velvety sauce that transforms ordinary spinach into a decadent side dish bursting with sophisticated flavor.
  • Quick and Effortless Gourmet Meal: This one-pan recipe requires minimal cooking skills, takes less than 30 minutes to prepare, and delivers restaurant-quality results that will impress family and dinner guests with minimal effort.
  • Nutrient-Packed Protein Powerhouse: Fresh baby spinach combined with protein-rich eggs makes this dish a balanced, wholesome meal that delivers essential nutrients while feeling indulgent and satisfying.
  • Versatile Brunch and Dinner Star: Perfect for weekend brunches, quick weeknight dinners, or elegant entertaining, this adaptable recipe works beautifully as a hearty breakfast, light lunch, or elegant side dish that suits multiple dining occasions.

Creamed Spinach & Eggs Grocery List

Vegetables and Herbs:
  • Shallots: Mild, sweet onion-like flavor that adds depth to the dish; choose fresh, firm shallots without soft spots.
  • Baby Spinach: Tender, delicate leaves that provide a soft green base; select bright green, crisp leaves without wilting.
Dairy and Cheese:
  • Boursin Cheese, Heavy Cream, Gruyère Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Creamy, rich cheeses that create a luxurious sauce and add complex flavor; choose high-quality, fresh dairy products for best results.
Eggs and Seasonings:
  • Extra-Large Eggs: Provide protein and create a hearty main component; select fresh, room temperature eggs.
  • Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, Ground Nutmeg: Classic seasonings that enhance overall flavor profile; use freshly ground spices for maximum taste.
Cooking Fats:
  • Unsalted Butter, Olive Oil: Provide richness and help sauté ingredients; choose good quality butter and extra virgin olive oil.

Put Together This Creamy Dish

Put Together This Creamy Dish

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 400°F (200°C) and get ready for a mouthwatering adventure.

Step 2: Sizzle The Shallots

In a large skillet, melt together:
  • Unsalted butter
  • Olive oil

Toss in minced shallots and let them dance until soft and golden, about 3-5 minutes.

Step 3: Massage The Greens

Gently add fresh baby spinach in waves, letting each handful wilt before adding the next. Watch the greens transform and shrink.

Step 4: Create A Dreamy Sauce

Stir in these flavor makers:
  • Boursin cheese
  • Heavy cream
  • Ground nutmeg
  • Kosher salt
  • Black pepper

Whisk and blend until the sauce becomes silky smooth, about 3 minutes.

Step 5: Prepare The Baking Canvas

Transfer the spinach mixture into a baking dish. Create four little nests by pressing small indentations. Crack an egg into each cozy spot.

Step 6: Cheese It Up

Sprinkle over the top:
  • Gruyère cheese
  • Parmesan cheese

Season eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven. For runny yolks, bake 12-13 minutes. For firmer yolks, go 13-14 minutes.

Step 8: Serve With Love

Bring the sizzling dish straight to the table and watch everyone’s eyes light up.

Tips for Smooth Spinach & Perfect Eggs

  • Select Supremely Fresh Spinach: Choose crisp, vibrant green spinach leaves for maximum flavor and nutrition. Farmer's markets or fresh produce sections offer the best quality spinach.
  • Master Perfect Egg Doneness: Timing is crucial for achieving your ideal egg texture. Keep a close eye on the baking time to nail those perfectly runny or soft-set yolks.
  • Eliminate Excess Moisture: Thoroughly drain and squeeze spinach to prevent a watery, soggy dish. Use a clean kitchen towel or fine-mesh strainer to remove every drop of liquid.
  • Ensure Preheated Precision: Allow your oven to reach the full temperature before baking. A properly heated oven guarantees even cooking and optimal texture.
  • Season with Confident Creativity: Taste and experiment with seasonings before adding eggs. A pinch of nutmeg or extra black pepper can elevate the entire dish's flavor profile.

Storing Creamed Spinach Without Losing Texture

  • Preserve Freshness: Quickly transfer the creamed spinach and eggs to a glass or ceramic container with a tight-sealing lid. Glass containers prevent flavor absorption and maintain the dish's original taste better than plastic alternatives.
  • Freeze Wisely: Portion the remaining creamed spinach and eggs into individual serving containers. Wrap each container tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Store frozen for up to 2 months, ensuring maximum texture retention when reheating.
  • Moisture Management: Place a paper towel over the dish before sealing the container to absorb excess moisture. This technique prevents soggy eggs and keeps the creamy spinach texture intact during refrigeration.

Add-Ons for a Fancy Egg Dish

  • Spicy Mediterranean Spinach Eggs: Replace Boursin with crumbled feta cheese, add red pepper flakes, and sprinkle za'atar seasoning before baking for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired version.
  • Smoky Bacon Spinach Casserole: Crisp chopped bacon and mix into the spinach, swap Gruyère for smoked cheddar, and add a dash of smoked paprika for a rich, smoky flavor profile.
  • Vegetarian Mushroom Spinach Bake: Sauté sliced cremini or shiitake mushrooms with shallots, incorporate goat cheese instead of Boursin, and top with toasted pine nuts for added texture and nutty undertones.
  • Green Goddess Spinach Eggs: Blend fresh herbs like basil, chives, and parsley into the cream sauce, use mascarpone cheese for extra creaminess, and garnish with fresh herb sprigs for a vibrant green approach.

Wrap-Up for Creamed Spinach & Eggs

Creamy spinach and perfectly nestled eggs showcase Ina Garten’s culinary magic, transforming simple ingredients into an elegant brunch sensation.

Mediterranean influences shine through her masterful combination of Boursin and Gruyère cheeses.

Shallots and cream create a luxurious base that elevates this classic dish beyond ordinary breakfast fare.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe invites home cooks to explore gourmet techniques with confidence.

Comfort and elegance merge seamlessly in this single skillet masterpiece.

Bold flavors and creamy textures beckon you to share this recipe, snap a mouthwatering photo, and spread the delicious inspiration with friends who appreciate culinary artistry.

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Ina Garten Creamed Spinach & Eggs Recipe

Ina Garten Creamed Spinach & Eggs Recipe


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4.8 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Ina Garten’s creamed spinach and eggs blend Italian comfort with French elegance. Rich, silky eggs nestle among creamy spinach, creating a luxurious breakfast experience perfect for weekend indulgence.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1.25 pounds fresh baby spinach, washed and spun dry
  • 4 extra-large eggs
  • 1 (5.2-ounce) package Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs cheese

Dairy and Cheese:

  • 0.33 cup heavy cream
  • 0.33 cup grated Gruyère cheese (1 ounce)
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated Italian Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Seasonings and Aromatics:

  • 0.5 cup minced shallots (2 shallots)
  • 2 tablespoons good olive oil
  • Pinch of ground nutmeg
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Warm the kitchen oven to a toasty 400°F (200°C), ensuring an ideal baking environment.
  2. In a spacious 12-inch sauté pan, gently melt unsalted butter and olive oil over medium heat, creating a luxurious cooking base.
  3. Introduce finely chopped shallots to the pan, allowing them to soften and become translucent, releasing their delicate flavor for 3 to 5 minutes.
  4. Gradually incorporate fresh baby spinach into the pan, tossing each handful until it wilts and reduces in volume, creating a vibrant green foundation.
  5. Crumble the creamy Boursin cheese into the wilted spinach, followed by heavy cream, creating a luscious, velvety sauce.
  6. Enhance the mixture with a whisper of ground nutmeg, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper, stirring consistently until the sauce transforms into a smooth, cohesive blend.
  7. Carefully transfer the spinach mixture to a 9 x 9-inch (23 x 23 cm) baking dish, creating gentle wells in the surface using the back of a wooden spoon.
  8. Delicately crack four extra-large eggs into the prepared spinach indentations, seasoning each with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
  9. Generously shower the dish with grated Gruyère and Parmesan cheeses, adding a rich, golden finish.
  10. Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven, allowing the eggs to cook for 12 to 14 minutes, depending on desired yolk consistency.
  11. Remove from the oven and serve immediately, presenting a steaming, aromatic dish directly from the baking vessel.

Notes

  • Seasoning is key to elevating the overall taste, so taste and adjust salt, pepper, or nutmeg before adding eggs for maximum flavor.
  • Fully preheating the oven ensures even cooking and prevents undercooked or unevenly heated dishes.
  • Squeeze out excess moisture from wilted spinach by pressing firmly, preventing a watery final result.
  • Achieving perfect egg yolks requires careful timing: 12 minutes for runny centers, 13-14 minutes for firmer consistency.
  • Opt for fresh spinach to guarantee the best texture and flavor, as frozen varieties can dilute the dish’s quality.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 of 4 servings
  • Calories: 455
  • Sugar: 1.5g
  • Sodium: 443mg
  • Fat: 39.5g
  • Saturated Fat: 19.8g
  • Carbohydrates: 9.5g
  • Fiber: 3.25g
  • Protein: 13g
  • Cholesterol: 267mg
Isabella Rodriguez

Isabella Rodriguez

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Pastry Arts and Dessert Innovation, French and European Baking Techniques, Food Writing and Blogging, Culinary Event Planning

Education

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Diploma: Grand Diplôme®
  • Focus: Intensive training in classic French cuisine and pastry techniques, combining the Diplôme de Cuisine and Diplôme de Pâtisserie.

Isabella Rodriguez is the co-founder and pastry chef at wd-50.com. She studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where she earned the Grand Diplôme®, a top award in both cooking and baking. After working in fancy bakeries and as a personal pastry chef, Isabella now shares her love for desserts in an easy way for home bakers to enjoy.

At wd-50.com, Isabella creates recipes for cookies, cakes, tarts, and more, always with clear steps and helpful tips. She believes baking should be fun, not stressful, and she hopes her recipes bring joy to your kitchen and smiles to your table.

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