Indulge in the rich, savory flavors of this Creamed Spinach and Bacon Bake—a comforting casserole that's perfect for family dinners or holiday spreads. Featuring tender, wilted spinach folded into a velvety Parmesan cream sauce, this dish gets an irresistible upgrade with crispy, savory crumbles of bacon and a golden layer of buttery breadcrumbs. The recipe combines an easy stovetop roux with a quick oven bake, delivering creamy, cheesy perfection with a satisfying crunch in just 45 minutes. Ideal as a versatile side dish or a hearty centerpiece, this recipe is sure to be a favorite with its balance of indulgent textures and bold flavors.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x9-inch baking dish and set it aside.
Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and place on paper towels to drain. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces and set aside.
In the same skillet, drain most of the bacon grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Add the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the wilted spinach, place it on a cutting board, and roughly chop. Set aside.
Wipe the skillet clean, then melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, ensuring no lumps remain. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring continuously, until the sauce thickens.
Remove the skillet from the heat, then stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and ground nutmeg. Mix until the cheese is fully melted and incorporated into the sauce.
Fold the chopped spinach and crumbled bacon into the creamy sauce until well combined.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the spinach and bacon mixture.
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Calories |
2031 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 147.5 g | 189% | |
| Saturated Fat | 76.2 g | 381% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 389 mg | 130% | |
| Sodium | 6177 mg | 269% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 91.1 g | 33% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 13.8 g | 49% | |
| Total Sugars | 21.9 g | ||
| Protein | 86.7 g | 173% | |
| Vitamin D | 4.3 mcg | 21% | |
| Calcium | 1831 mg | 141% | |
| Iron | 18.7 mg | 104% | |
| Potassium | 968 mg | 21% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.