Lunch / Dinner
Spiced Creamy Spinach Casserole
It’s rare when spinach gets top billing at any meal. Typically tossed in a salad or as a healthful afterthought, the green leaf is front and center in this casserole.
Loosely based on a popular Indian dish, palak paneer, this easy dinner recipe takes the garlic- and ginger-rich flavors of the long simmered stew and gets them to the table in a fraction of the time. Plus, spices (that are probably already lining your spice rack), like cumin, coriander, and turmeric bring warmth to the table on any cold day. The farmer cheese in this casserole is sold a few ways, but opt for the solid loaf or log rather than the softer cottage cheese style. Finally, since it’s a staple with palak paneer, pair the casserole with India’s favorite side dish, fragrant basmati rice.
Ingredients
MELT:
STIR IN:
ADD:
Test Kitchen Tip
Fenugreek is often used in Indian dishes. It smells like maple syrup and lends a unique flavor to dishes. Look for it in the spice aisle.
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°. Coat a 2-qt. baking dish with nonstick spray.
Melt butter in a sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add onion, ginger, garlic, jalapeño, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and fenugreek and sweat until onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in flour to coat vegetables; cook 1 minute. Whisk in milk; cook until mixture slightly thickens, 5–8 minutes.
Add naan, cheese, and spinach, stirring to coat with gravy. Season mixture with salt and pepper and transfer to prepared baking dish. Bake casserole until heated through and bubbly around edges, 15–20 minutes. Serve casserole with lime wedges.
Cook the spices in butter to release or bloom their flavors. Turmeric lends classic yellow color, too.
To avoid a watery casserole, use a ricer to squeeze as much liquid as possible from the spinach.
Cook the gravy until it thickens enough that it leaves a trail when you swipe your finger through it.
Nutritional Facts
Nutritional Facts
Per serving
Calories: 328
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14g 21%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 37mg 12%
Sodium 403mg 16%
Carbs 33g 11%
Fiber 4g 16%
Protein 14g
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.