Spinach Casserole

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 08/30/23
Spinach casserole recipe

The Spruce

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Total: 35 mins
Servings: 4 servings

Our spinach casserole recipe uses a healthy amount of spinach and combines it with cream cheese and seasonings for a satisfying side dish that's easily put together in 10 minutes. Although we use frozen spinach, you can also use fresh spinach (see our notes below).

Spinach is filled with vitamins and minerals and is one superfood that you should incorporate into your diet on a daily basis. Very low in calories but high in nutritional content, spinach is a versatile ingredient—great eaten raw in salad and smoothies, and it's delicious when cooked in soups or casseroles.

Use fresh or frozen mixed greens, kale, or Swiss chard instead of spinach if you want, and serve it alongside steak, fish, or chicken. Or serve it with baked potato as part of a vegetarian meal.

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds frozen spinach

  • 6 ounces cream cheese, softened

  • 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, divided

  • 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs

  • 1 dash paprika

  • Salt, to taste, optional

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste, optional

  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Spinach casserole ingredients
    The Spruce

  2. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease a 1-quart or 1 1/2-quart casserole dish and set aside.

    Grease a casserole dish
    The Spruce

  3. Thaw the spinach in a colander under running water. Press or squeeze the thawed spinach to remove excess water. Alternatively, microwave the spinach according to the package instructions, cool for a few minutes, and press the leaves to remove the excess water.

    Thaw the spinach in a colander
    The Spruce

  4. Once the spinach is ready to use, combine it with the softened cream cheese and 1/4 cup of melted butter in a large bowl.

    Combine spinach and cream cheese
    The Spruce

  5. Spoon into the prepared casserole dish and sprinkle with breadcrumbs and paprika. Drizzle with remaining 1/4 cup of butter. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper if needed.

    Spoon spinach mixture into casserole dish
    The Spruce

  6. Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Serve hot and enjoy.

    Bake the casserole in preheated oven
    The Spruce

Tip

  • Make sure you get the excess water out of the spinach. Instead of your hands, you can use a paper towel or dish towel to help soak up the moisture.

Using Fresh Spinach

  • Frozen spinach is convenient and easy to use, but there's nothing like the flavor and texture of fresh spinach. Plan on about 2 1/2 to 3 pounds if you prefer to use fresh. Wash it, remove the stems, and chop it finely. Place a wide nonstick saucepan or skillet over medium-low heat and add the spinach, a little at a time, adding more as the first additions wilt down. The spinach is done when it has all wilted. Cool the cooked spinach in a colander and squeeze out excess moisture.
  • You can choose to season the spinach while it cooks, with salt and pepper to taste, and a grated garlic clove.

Add-On Ingredients

Add one or more of the following suggestions to the spinach mixture:

  • Chopped onions sautéed in butter or olive oil.
  • Ground nutmeg.
  • Fresh breadcrumbs seasoned with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper.
  • Grated Parmesan cheese.
  • Boursin cheese (garlic and herb, black pepper, or basil and chive).
  • Cheddar cheese (replace half of the cream cheese).
  • Cubed cooked ham, shredded chicken, or shredded turkey. Add 2 cups of protein and use 1/2 cup of any shredded cheese to top the casserole before baking.

Spinach Mixture Use in Other Recipes

Use the spinach mixture in other recipes:

  • Layer oven-ready lasagna noodles with the original spinach mixture, some sliced mozzarella, and jarred red sauce. Top with breadcrumbs, ricotta salata, salt and pepper to taste, and a drizzle of olive oil before baking it at 400 F for 20 minutes (covered) and 30 minutes at 350 F (uncovered).
  • Slice a fresh baguette lengthwise and use garlic butter on both sides, bake at 350 F for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and spoon spinach mixture on one of the sides, top with brie cheese and bacon bits, and bring back to the oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Use the spinach mixture as a pasta sauce: Cook any short pasta of your liking, drain and mix with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add spoonfuls of the spinach mixture and add grated Parmesan on top.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
571 Calories
43g Fat
35g Carbs
18g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 571
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 43g 55%
Saturated Fat 25g 125%
Cholesterol 110mg 37%
Sodium 1050mg 46%
Total Carbohydrate 35g 13%
Dietary Fiber 10g 35%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 18g
Vitamin C 6mg 29%
Calcium 503mg 39%
Iron 6mg 33%
Potassium 830mg 18%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)