Pernod Creamed Spinach Casserole
Elevate your side dish game with this Pernod Creamed Spinach Casserole, a decadent twist on classic creamed spinach that’s perfect for holidays or indulgent dinners. Fresh spinach is blanched and folded into a luxurious sauce made with heavy cream, cream cheese, and Parmesan, then accented by the subtle anise flavor of Pernod for an unexpected depth of taste. A golden breadcrumb topping infused with olive oil adds the perfect crunch to this creamy, oven-baked casserole. With its balance of rich, velvety textures and bright, herbaceous notes, this crowd-pleasing recipe is as impressive as it is comforting. Serve it alongside roast meats or as the shining star of your next vegetarian spread.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh spinach
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium, finely diced yellow onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons Pernod (anise-flavored liquor)
- 4 ounces, softened cream cheese
- 0.5 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 0.25 teaspoon, freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste) salt
- 0.5 teaspoon (adjust to taste) black pepper
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spinach and blanch for 1-2 minutes, until wilted. Transfer the spinach to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain well, then squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible. Roughly chop the spinach and set aside.
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, stirring frequently.
Stir in the heavy cream, whole milk, softened cream cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese. Cook, stirring often, until the mixture is smooth and creamy, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the Pernod, freshly grated nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine, then mix in the chopped spinach. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, ensuring the spinach is evenly coated in the cream mixture.
Transfer the creamed spinach mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the spinach mixture.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2593 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 200.4 g | 257% | |
| Saturated Fat | 110.6 g | 553% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 545 mg | 182% | |
| Sodium | 4998 mg | 217% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 100.2 g | 36% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 26.1 g | 93% | |
| Total Sugars | 19.0 g | ||
| Protein | 58.1 g | 116% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.6 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 1637 mg | 126% | |
| Iron | 32.1 mg | 178% | |
| Potassium | 547 mg | 12% | |
*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.
