Name: Italian Spinach Bake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 lbs fresh spinach, washed and trimmed; 1 medium onion, finely chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 cup ricotta cheese; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese; ½ tsp Italian seasoning; ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat); Salt and pepper, to taste; 2 large eggs, lightly beaten; ¼ cup breadcrumbs

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Introduction

This Italian Spinach Bake is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for any meal. Packed with fresh spinach and a blend of creamy cheeses, it’s easy to prepare and sure to please the whole family.

A spoon lifts a serving from a black baking dish filled with creamy layered spinach and cheese casserole. The dish has three visible layers: a bottom creamy white cheese base, a middle layer of dark green cooked spinach mixed with white cheese, and a top layer of melted golden-brown cheese with browned breadcrumbs. The cheese on the lifted portion is gooey and stringy, stretching down from the spoon. The baking dish sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 lbs fresh spinach, washed and trimmed
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ tsp Italian seasoning
¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
Optional topping: ¼ cup breadcrumbs

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Gradually add spinach in batches to the skillet, cooking each batch down until wilted. Drain any excess liquid from the spinach and set it aside to cool slightly.
Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir in the lightly beaten eggs until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined.
Step 5: Add the cooled spinach mixture to the cheese mixture and stir until well combined. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top if desired for added crunch.
Step 6: Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly. If using breadcrumbs, they should be crisp and lightly browned.
Step 7: Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

For a richer flavor, try adding cooked Italian sausage or sun-dried tomatoes to the spinach mixture.
You can substitute frozen spinach; just be sure to thaw and thoroughly drain it before cooking.
To make it gluten-free, skip the breadcrumbs or use gluten-free breadcrumbs as a topping.
Adding a bit of nutmeg to the cheese mixture enhances the dish’s flavor subtly.

Storage

Store leftover spinach bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15 minutes or until warmed through. This dish can also be frozen before baking; thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.

How to Serve

A black bowl filled with a creamy mixture of spinach and cheese, showing a thick, slightly chunky texture with visible dark green spinach leaves swirled into the pale yellow cheese sauce; a wooden spoon is resting inside the bowl, coated with the same mixture. To the left, there is a white baking dish topped with smooth, pale yellow slices of cheese with slightly ruffled edges. The setup is on a white marbled surface sprinkled with crumbled white cheese, and a few fresh dark green spinach leaves are scattered nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use frozen spinach, but be sure to fully thaw and squeeze out excess moisture before cooking to avoid a watery dish.

Is this dish suitable for vegetarians?

Absolutely. This recipe contains no meat and is perfect for a vegetarian diet. To keep it vegetarian, avoid adding any meat-based toppings.