Creamy Spinach Florentine Bake
Indulge in this delightful Creamy Spinach Florentine Bake, a comforting Italian-inspired dish that's perfect as a side or a light main course. Using fresh spinach, this recipe combines the richness of a traditional béchamel sauce with the earthy flavors of sautéed garlic, all enveloped in the creaminess of freshly grated Parmigiano cheese. This dish pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or fish, making it a versatile addition to any meal. Enjoy a deliciously creamy, cheesy spinach dish that’s not only easy to prepare but also a hit with the whole family!
N/A
Servings
143
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter
6 tablespoons (melted for béchamel, plus extra for greasing the pan)
All-purpose flour
6 tablespoons (for béchamel)
Milk
2 1/2 cups (warmed for béchamel)
Fresh spinach
3 lbs (washed and coarsely chopped)
Olive oil
3 tablespoons (for sautéing)
Garlic clove
1 large (minced)
Freshly grated Parmigiano cheese
4 tablespoons (for flavoring the spinach mixture)
Salt
to taste
White pepper
to taste
Grated nutmeg
1 pinch
Instructions
1
Prepare the béchamel sauce by melting the butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Once the butter is foaming, add the flour and stir well to form a smooth paste. Cook gently for about 2-3 minutes until lightly golden, being careful not to let it brown too much.
2
While the flour mixture cooks, warm the milk in a separate small saucepan. Gradually whisk the warm milk into the flour mixture a little at a time, ensuring no lumps form. Keep whisking continuously until the sauce is thickened and creamy. Once done, remove from heat and cover to keep warm.
3
Thoroughly wash the spinach and remove any tough stems. Coarsely chop the leaves and set aside.
4
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and gently sauté until just golden, then add the chopped spinach. Toss the spinach in the garlic oil until fully wilted, about 3-4 minutes.
5
Combine the wilted spinach with the prepared béchamel sauce. Stir in the freshly grated Parmigiano cheese, a pinch of grated nutmeg, and season with salt and white pepper to taste.
6
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 13 1/2 x 8 3/4 inch baking dish with a little butter.
7
Transfer the creamy spinach mixture into the prepared baking dish and smooth out the top. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition Information
10g
Fat
11g
Carbs
5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Spinach Florentine Bake?
It is a comforting Italian-inspired side dish or light main course made with fresh spinach, a rich béchamel sauce, sautéed garlic, and freshly grated Parmigiano cheese.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, based on the ingredients provided, this recipe is vegetarian as it contains vegetables, dairy, and grains but no meat.
What are the nutritional facts for this dish?
Each serving contains 143 calories, 10g of fat, 11g of carbohydrates, and 5g of protein.
How much fresh spinach is needed?
The recipe requires 3 lbs of fresh spinach.
How do I prepare the spinach before cooking?
You should thoroughly wash the spinach, remove any tough stems, and coarsely chop the leaves.
What ingredients are used for the béchamel sauce?
The béchamel sauce is made using 6 tablespoons of butter, 6 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, and 2 1/2 cups of warmed milk.
How do I start the béchamel sauce?
Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat until it is foaming, then add the flour and stir to form a smooth paste.
How long should the flour and butter mixture cook?
Cook the mixture gently for about 2-3 minutes until it is lightly golden, ensuring it does not brown too much.
How do I incorporate the milk into the sauce?
Gradually whisk the warm milk into the flour mixture a little at a time to ensure no lumps form, then whisk continuously until thickened.
What type of oil is used for sautéing the spinach?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of olive oil for sautéing.
How much garlic should be used?
Use 1 large garlic clove, minced.
How long should I sauté the garlic and spinach?
Sauté the garlic until just golden, then add the spinach and toss for 3-4 minutes until fully wilted.
What cheese is added to the spinach mixture?
The recipe uses 4 tablespoons of freshly grated Parmigiano cheese.
What seasonings are recommended for this dish?
Season the mixture with a pinch of grated nutmeg, salt, and white pepper to taste.
What temperature should the oven be preheated to?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C).
What size baking dish is required?
You should use a 13 1/2 x 8 3/4 inch baking dish.
Does the baking dish need to be greased?
Yes, grease the baking dish with a little butter before adding the spinach mixture.
How long does the dish need to bake?
Bake the dish for approximately 25 minutes.
How do I know when the bake is finished?
The dish is ready when the top is golden brown and bubbly.
Should I let the dish cool before serving?
Yes, it is recommended to let the dish cool slightly before serving.
Can this dish be served as a main course?
Yes, it can be served as a light main course or as a side dish.
What does this dish pair well with?
It pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or fish.
How much butter is needed in total?
You will need 6 tablespoons of butter for the sauce, plus extra for greasing the pan.
How much flour is used?
The recipe requires 6 tablespoons of all-purpose flour.
What type of pepper is used?
White pepper is used for seasoning the spinach mixture.
How much Parmigiano cheese is used?
4 tablespoons of freshly grated Parmigiano cheese are used.
Is nutmeg a necessary ingredient?
The recipe includes a pinch of grated nutmeg to flavor the spinach mixture.
How much milk is in the béchamel?
2 1/2 cups of warmed milk are used.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
The tags include spinach, baked, creamy, florentine, italian, vegetarian, and side dish.
What is the calorie count per serving?
The recipe contains 143 calories per serving.