Description

This Spinach Rockefeller recipe offers a rich, creamy, and cheesy twist on traditional creamed spinach. Made with fresh or frozen spinach combined with a blend of cream cheese, heavy cream, and a medley of cheeses, it is baked to golden perfection, creating a warm and comforting side dish perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Spinach

1 lb fresh spinach (or 2 packages frozen spinach, thawed and well-drained)

Cooking Fats and Aromatics

2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion or shallot, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced

Dairy and Seasonings

3 tbsp cream cheese
0.5 cup heavy cream
0.25 tsp ground nutmeg
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Cheeses for Topping

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
0.33 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and butter a small baking dish to prevent sticking during baking.
Prepare Spinach: If using fresh spinach, sauté it in a pan over medium heat until wilted. Then drain thoroughly and squeeze out all excess moisture to avoid sogginess. For frozen spinach, ensure it is fully thawed and squeezed dry before use.
Sauté Aromatics: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and olive oil together. Add the minced onion or shallot and cook for about 3–5 minutes until soft and translucent.
Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Create Creamy Base: Add the cream cheese and heavy cream to the skillet. Stir constantly until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and bubbly.
Season Mixture: Add ground nutmeg, salt, and black pepper to taste. Stir to combine all flavors evenly.
Combine Spinach and Cream Mixture: Fold the prepared spinach into the creamy sauce, mixing until the spinach is fully coated and the mixture is evenly creamy.
Assemble for Baking: Transfer the creamy spinach mixture into the buttered baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top of the spinach mixture.
Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes until the cheese topping is golden brown and bubbling.
Rest and Serve: Remove from oven and let the Spinach Rockefeller rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and the dish to set.

Notes

For best texture, ensure all excess water is removed from spinach to prevent a watery dish.
You can substitute cream cheese with mascarpone for a different creamy texture.
If you prefer a spicier version, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes with the nutmeg.
This dish pairs wonderfully as a side with roasted meats or grilled seafood.
To make it lighter, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, though the consistency will be less rich.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Spinach Rockefeller, creamy spinach, baked spinach, cheesy spinach side dish, spinach casserole, comfort food