Irresistible Italian Spinach Bake Recipe
This Irresistible Italian Spinach Bake is a creamy, cheesy casserole perfect for a comforting side or a light main dish. Blending fresh sautéed spinach with ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, and seasoned eggs, this bake delivers rich flavors and a golden bubbly top that will have everyone coming back for more.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Spinach Filling
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (reserve ½ cup for topping)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Sauté Spinach: Heat a skillet over medium heat, add the fresh spinach and sauté until wilted, about 3 minutes. Drain any excess liquid to avoid a watery bake.
- Mix Cheese and Eggs: In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella (reserving some for topping), grated Parmesan, eggs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well until fully blended.
- Add Spinach: Fold the sautéed and drained spinach gently into the cheese mixture, ensuring it is evenly distributed throughout.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spread evenly, and sprinkle the reserved mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bake to cool slightly before serving to let it set and enhance flavors.
Notes
- Make sure to drain the spinach well to prevent excess moisture from making the bake soggy.
- You can substitute part of the mozzarella with provolone for a different flavor.
- This dish can be served as a side or as a vegetarian main course paired with crusty bread.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- For a lighter version, use part-skim ricotta and reduced-fat cheeses.
Keywords: Italian spinach bake, cheesy spinach casserole, ricotta spinach bake, easy vegetarian bake, Italian side dish
