River Road Spinach Madeleine
Indulge in the rich, Southern-inspired flavors of River Road Spinach Madeleine, a timeless Louisiana classic that brings creamy, cheesy comfort to your table. This crowd-pleasing dish combines tender spinach with a velvety cheese sauce infused with bold seasonings like cayenne and optional jalapeños for a subtle kick. Made with a luscious base of roux, evaporated milk, and processed cheese, this versatile recipe can be served stovetop for a quick side dish or baked with a golden breadcrumb topping for a casserole-style presentation. Perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or weeknight dinners, this Spinach Madeleine offers a nostalgic taste of the South while being easy to prepare in just 35 minutes.
Smart Nutrition Tracking with SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 20 oz frozen spinach
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 5 oz evaporated milk
- 0.5 cup reserved vegetable liquid
- 0.5 cup onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 8 oz processed cheese (cut into cubes)
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 tbsp jalapeño or green chiles (optional, finely chopped)
- 0.25 cup breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) if planning to serve Spinach Madeleine as a baked casserole.
Thaw the frozen spinach according to the package directions. Squeeze out excess water and reserve 1/2 cup of the liquid for the recipe.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and whisk constantly for 2 minutes to create a roux.
Slowly stir in the evaporated milk and reserved vegetable liquid, whisking until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken.
Add the onions and garlic to the sauce, cooking for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cubes of processed cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the mixture is creamy.
Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. If using jalapeños or green chiles, stir them in at this point for added heat.
Add the prepared spinach to the cheese sauce, folding to coat evenly.
For a stovetop version, heat the mixture thoroughly and serve immediately. For a baked version, transfer the mixture to a greased casserole dish.
If desired, sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the casserole dish for added texture.
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your creamy and delicious River Road Spinach Madeleine!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
284 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 20.7 g | 26% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.8 g | 64% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 60 mg | 20% | |
| Sodium | 839 mg | 36% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 13.0 g | 5% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.7 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.2 g | ||
| Protein | 12.0 g | 24% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.9 mcg | 5% | |
| Calcium | 367 mg | 28% | |
| Iron | 2.3 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 640 mg | 14% | |
*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.
