Description
Ina Garten’s creamed spinach elevates classic comfort with rich, velvety elegance. Parmesan cheese and cream blend seamlessly, creating a luxurious side dish that delivers pure culinary satisfaction to dinner tables everywhere.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) frozen chopped spinach, defrosted
- 4 cups (600 grams) chopped yellow onions (2 large)
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) milk
- 4 tablespoons (56 grams) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (100 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup (50 grams) grated Gruyere cheese
Seasoning and Thickeners:
- ¼ cup (30 grams) flour
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a toasty 425°F (218°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even heat distribution.
- Melt the butter in a spacious sauté pan over medium heat, allowing it to become golden and fragrant. Gently add the finely chopped onions, stirring occasionally until they transform into a soft, translucent, and delicate mixture, approximately 15 minutes.
- Sprinkle the flour and freshly grated nutmeg over the caramelized onions, carefully stirring to create a smooth, aromatic roux. Continue cooking for 2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Pour the heavy cream and whole milk into the pan, whisking continuously to prevent lumps and create a silky, thickening sauce. Cook until the mixture reaches a luxurious, velvety consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
- Thoroughly drain the defrosted spinach, using your hands or a clean kitchen towel to squeeze out every drop of excess moisture. This step ensures your dish remains creamy and not watery.
- Fold the drained spinach into the luscious sauce, incorporating it evenly throughout the creamy base. Gently stir to distribute the vibrant green vegetable.
- Integrate 1/2 cup of finely grated Parmesan cheese into the spinach mixture, creating depth of flavor. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the overall taste profile.
- Transfer the sumptuous mixture to a prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Generously sprinkle the remaining Parmesan and Gruyere cheeses across the top, creating a golden, crispy crown.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese melts into a bubbling, golden-brown crust and the edges become slightly crisp.
Notes
- Transform ordinary spinach into a luxurious steakhouse-style side with this foolproof technique.
- Slow-cook onions until perfectly soft, releasing sweet caramelized flavors that form the dish’s flavor foundation.
- Remove excess moisture from spinach to guarantee a thick, velvety consistency without watery separation.
- Blend fresh or frozen spinach with rich cream and complementary cheeses for maximum texture and depth.
- Sprinkle with nutmeg for a subtle warmth that elevates this classic side from simple to extraordinary.
- Prepare ahead and refrigerate up to 24 hours, making dinner preparation seamless and stress-free.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg