Creamy Spinach Gratin | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Fantastic & mouthwatering #Spinach #casserole with #Parmesan & #GruyereCheese. My favorite #SpinachSideDish for company or #holiday meals. #GlutenFree #CreamySpinachGratin

Creamy Spinach Gratin

Teresa Ambra

2013 – Gluten Free Living

Creamy Spinach Gratin is so mouthwatering. I’ve finally found an amazing spinach casserole recipe that really tastes the way I want it to taste! I’ve been hunting for years for just the right recipe. I wanted a superb “go-to recipe” for spinach. I think it’s safe to say I’ve finally found one I really LOVE! Creamy Spinach Gratin is S-P-E-C-T-A-C-U-L-A-R!!!

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There’s lots of spinach in a really thick creamy sauce. I used half-and-half, heavy whipping cream, Parmesan cheese and Gruyere cheese. Wow did this casserole burst with flavor. Creamy Spinach Gratin also has onion, leeks and garlic which add delicious, savory flavors as well. I made this recipe using gluten free flour, too, so it’s gluten free for those with gluten intolerance. (But you can always use regular flour if you don’t have gluten allergies). Creamy Spinach Gratin is irresistible, sumptuous, heavenly!

I was looking through my Pinterest boards a couple of weeks ago. I was trying to come up with some ideas for side dishes for a large dinner party we had a week and a half ago. I had seen this recipe and pinned it so I could go back and look it over more carefully.

All I can say is this recipe is special. Even all my guests thought it was a wonderfully tasting spinach dish. While this dish does have several steps it’s not overly difficult. The hardest thing is squeezing out all the water from the spinach. No kidding.

It probably took me every bit of 10 minutes pressing the spinach in order to get all the excess moisture out it. I used a potato masher. This is a super important step. Otherwise, the recipe will not set up and will be soupy. Anyway, I am so glad I found this recipe. I think you will be too if you try it as well.

Creamy Spinach Gratin would be a great casserole for the holidays. You can do as I did and make it up in advance, refrigerate it, and then bake it later in the day when you’re ready to cook everything. I’m sure you could also heat it up in the crockpot if your oven is too full of other things.

If you’re looking for a “to die for” spinach recipe, then Creamy Spinach Gratin should be included in that quest. It’s rich, creamy, cheesy, with one of the best combinations of flavors, textures, and eye appeal I’ve ever found in a spinach recipe before. I loved it and our guests raved over it! Yay.

I initially posted this recipe in October 2013. I recently remade this recipe twice (March 2020) during the coronavirus outbreak. I made it once when we had my son and his wife over for lunch on Sunday. I made it the second time for just my husband and me. The first time I served it with Baked Parmesan Chicken and my daughter-in-law brought a salad. The second time I served it with Grilled Peppered Steaks. It’s really a fantastic side dish for any kind of entree.

Creamy Spinach Gratin | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Fantastic & mouthwatering #Spinach #casserole with #Parmesan & #GruyereCheese. My favorite #SpinachSideDish for company or #holiday meals. #GlutenFree #CreamySpinachGratin

Creamy Spinach Gratin is a fabulous side dish casserole recipe for spinach. 

Creamy Spinach Gratin | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Fantastic & mouthwatering #Spinach #casserole with #Parmesan & #GruyereCheese. My favorite #SpinachSideDish for company or #holiday meals. #GlutenFree #CreamySpinachGratin

We loved this creamy cheesy spinach dish. It was marvelous. Having both parmesan and gruyere cheeses makes it incredibly cheesy and creamy.

Creamy Spinach Gratin | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Fantastic & mouthwatering #Spinach #casserole with #Parmesan & #GruyereCheese. My favorite #SpinachSideDish for company or #holiday meals. #GlutenFree #CreamySpinachGratin

Creamy Spinach Gratin is probably the BEST spinach casserole I’ve ever consumed. It was totally awesome served with Baked Parmesan Chicken.

Creamy Spinach Gratin | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Fantastic & mouthwatering #Spinach #casserole with #Parmesan & #GruyereCheese. My favorite #SpinachSideDish for company or #holiday meals. #GlutenFree #CreamySpinachGratin

This casserole is terrific for company or holiday dinners.

Here’s what I did.

Creamy Spinach Gratin | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Fantastic & mouthwatering #Spinach #casserole with #Parmesan & #GruyereCheese. My favorite #SpinachSideDish for company or #holiday meals. #GlutenFree #CreamySpinachGratin

I used these ingredients.

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Saute onions and leeks in a stick of butter over medium heat for about 5 minutes.  Stir occasionally.

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Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, but not more than a minute or two or it will scorch and become bitter.

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Add gluten free flour. If you’re not prone to gluten allergies use regular all-purpose flour. Add nutmeg.

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Stir to combine.

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Add heavy whipping cream slowly into the mixture.

Creamy Spinach Gratin | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Fantastic & mouthwatering #Spinach #casserole with #Parmesan & #GruyereCheese. My favorite #SpinachSideDish for company or #holiday meals. #GlutenFree #CreamySpinachGratin

Stir to combine.

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Add half-and-half cream.

Creamy Spinach Gratin | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Fantastic & mouthwatering #Spinach #casserole with #Parmesan & #GruyereCheese. My favorite #SpinachSideDish for company or #holiday meals. #GlutenFree #CreamySpinachGratin

Allow the mixture to heat through and thicken. Add pink Himalayan sea salt and black pepper.

Creamy Spinach Gratin | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Fantastic & mouthwatering #Spinach #casserole with #Parmesan & #GruyereCheese. My favorite #SpinachSideDish for company or #holiday meals. #GlutenFree #CreamySpinachGratin

Stir to combine. Add 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese.

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Thaw spinach. Squeeze-squeeze-squeeze until as much moisture as possible is released from the spinach. I found it easiest to use a potato masher to press out the water.

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Add pressed spinach to sauce mixture.

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Stir well to combine and heat through.

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Spray an 8×12″ glass baking dish with olive oil cooking spray. Add spinach mixture.

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Sprinkle remaining grated parmesan cheese on top.

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Then sprinkle grated gruyere cheese on top of the Parmesan cheese.

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Cover with foil. Bake at 350 for about 30-40 minutes or until bubbly and heated through. You will probably need to tent the foil after 20-25 minutes so it doesn’t stick to the cheese.

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Creamy Spinach Gratin is one of the best casserole side dishes ever!

Creamy Spinach Gratin | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Fantastic & mouthwatering #Spinach #casserole with #Parmesan & #GruyereCheese. My favorite #SpinachSideDish for company or #holiday meals. #GlutenFree #CreamySpinachGratin

This spinach side dish was terrific with Grilled Peppered Steaks.

Creamy Spinach Gratin | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Fantastic & mouthwatering #Spinach #casserole with #Parmesan & #GruyereCheese. My favorite #SpinachSideDish for company or #holiday meals. #GlutenFree #CreamySpinachGratin

This creamy, cheesy spinach casseroles is an excellent recipe for holiday baking. Consider putting this recipe on your holiday casserole baking list.

Creamy Spinach Gratin | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Fantastic & mouthwatering #Spinach #casserole with #Parmesan & #GruyereCheese. My favorite #SpinachSideDish for company or #holiday meals. #GlutenFree #CreamySpinachGratin

This was SO good! All our company, including the kids enjoyed this tasty spinach recipe. This side dish works wonderfully with Grilled Peppered Steaks.

Here’s the recipe.

CREAMY SPINACH GRATIN

(Recipe adapted from Mel’s Kitchen Café)

Creamy Spinach Gratin | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Fantastic & mouthwatering #Spinach #casserole with #Parmesan & #GruyereCheese. My favorite #SpinachSideDish for company or #holiday meals. #GlutenFree #CreamySpinachGratin

Creamy Spinach Gratin

Teresa Ambra
Creamy Spinach Gratin rocks! This spectacular spinach casserole has a rich, gooey, creamy sauce using gruyere and parmesan cheeses. Every bite explodes with flavor. This kid-friendly recipe is gluten free and perfect for holiday dinners like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter or Mother's Day.
4.86 from 7 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Side Dish, Vegetable/Casserole
Cuisine American
Servings 15
Calories 147 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9x13" glass baking dish
  • 1 large skillet
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • 1 potato masher to press out all of the water in the spinach
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups onion diced, 1 really large onion
  • 1/2 stick unsalted butter (1/4 cup)
  • 1 leek green top removed, thoroughly washed and diced or sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup gluten free flour or use regular flour
  • 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup half-and-half
  • 24 oz. frozen chopped spinach thawed with all moisture pressed out
  • 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
  • 1/2 cup Gruyere cheese shredded
  • 1 1/2 tsp. sea salt or kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add onions and leeks and sauté about 5 minutes until tender.
  • Add garlic and cook about 1 minutes longer—until fragrant, but don’t scorch the garlic or it will become bitter.
  • Add the flour and nutmeg.
  • Stir and cook an additional minute.
  • Add the cream and half-and-half and stir constantly until mixture is thickened.
  • Add salt and pepper.
  • Stir in 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
  • Squeeze out as much water from spinach as possible and add to cream mixture. (I used a potato masher to press out the water).
  • Stir pressed spinach into cheese mixture.
  • Prepare a 9x13” glass baking dish by spraying with olive oil cooking spray.
  • Add spinach mixture.
  • Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup freshly grated Gruyere cheese.
  • Cover with foil. Bake at 350° about 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen
 

Nutrition

Calories: 147kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 6gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 358mgPotassium: 244mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 5772IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 182mgIron: 1mg
Keyword casserole, cheese, gluten free, side dish, spinach, vegetable
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

Creamy Spinach Gratin
Recipe Type: Vegetable/Casserole
Cuisine: American
Author: Teresa Ambra adapted from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 12
Spinach casserole with a rich cream sauce using gruyere and parmesan cheeses,whipping cream and half-and half, with onions, garlic, leeks. Gluten free.
Ingredients
  • 4 cups diced onion (2 really large onions)
  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 1 leek, green top removed, quartered and sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup gluten free flour
  • ¼ tsp. nutmeg
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 cups half-and-half
  • 52-oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed
  • 1 ½ cups shredded Parmesan or Parmesan Reggiano cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
  • 1 scant tbsp. kosher salt
  • ½ tsp. black pepper
Instructions
  1. Melt butter in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add onions and leeks and sauté about 10 minutes until tender.
  3. Add garlic and cook about 2 minutes longer—until fragrant, but don’t scorch the garlic or it will become bitter.
  4. Add the flour and nutmeg.
  5. Stir and cook a few minutes longer.
  6. Add the cream and half-and-half and stir constantly until mixture is thickened.
  7. Add salt and pepper.
  8. Stir in ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
  9. Squeeze out as much water from spinach as possible and add to cream mixture. Stir spinach into cheese mixture.
  10. Prepare a 9×13” glass baking dish by spraying with olive oil cooking spray.
  11. Add spinach mixture.
  12. Sprinkle with ¾ cup Parmesan cheese and 1 cup freshly grated Gruyere cheese.
  13. Cover with foil. Bake at 350° about 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Creamy Spinach Gratin | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Fantastic & mouthwatering #Spinach #casserole with #Parmesan & #GruyereCheese. My favorite #SpinachSideDish for company or #holiday meals. #GlutenFree #CreamySpinachGratin

This gooey, cheesy casserole is kid-friendly. It’s a great way to get your kids to eat spinach!

Creamy Spinach Gratin | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Fantastic & mouthwatering #Spinach #casserole with #Parmesan & #GruyereCheese. My favorite #SpinachSideDish for company or #holiday meals. #GlutenFree #CreamySpinachGratin

Doesn’t Creamy Spinach Gratin look terrific? Are you salivating yet? This side dish is so delectable you will want to make it often. Grilled Peppered Steaks and fresh fruit work wonderfully with this casserole.

Creamy Spinach Gratin | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Fantastic & mouthwatering #Spinach #casserole with #Parmesan & #GruyereCheese. My favorite #SpinachSideDish for company or #holiday meals. #GlutenFree #CreamySpinachGratin

Creamy Spinach Gratin is perfect for holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter–even Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. You can make up the casserole earlier in the day and then bake about an hour before you need to serve it.

Creamy Spinach Gratin | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Fantastic & mouthwatering #Spinach #casserole with #Parmesan & #GruyereCheese. My favorite #SpinachSideDish for company or #holiday meals. #GlutenFree #CreamySpinachGratin

I’ve managed to sneak a serving for you! Enjoy it with Baked Parmesan Chicken.

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Tortellini Spinach Casserole

Tortellini Spinach Casserole | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #pasta entree is incredibly mouthwatering. It's filled with #spinach, several kinds of #cheese & cheese #tortellini. It's terrific for #MeatlessMondays as well as company. #mushrooms #casserole

Spinach Artichoke Casserole Dip

Spinach Artichoke Casserole Dip | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous #Neiman-Marcus #appetizer that's loaded with #cheese #bacon #spinach and #artichokes. Great #tailgating recipe. #glutenfree

Spinach Roll Ups 

Spinach Roll Ups | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #appetizers are one of the best we've ever eaten. They're wonderful for #tailgating, #NewYearsEve or #SuperBowl parties. #spinach #bacon #RanchDressingMix
Creamy Spinach Gratin | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Fantastic & mouthwatering #Spinach #casserole with #Parmesan & #GruyereCheese. My favorite #SpinachSideDish for company or #holiday meals. #GlutenFree #CreamySpinachGratin

Creamy Spinach Gratin

Teresa Ambra
Creamy Spinach Gratin rocks! This spectacular spinach casserole has a rich, gooey, creamy sauce using gruyere and parmesan cheeses. Every bite explodes with flavor. This kid-friendly recipe is gluten free and perfect for holiday dinners like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter or Mother’s Day.
4.86 from 7 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Side Dish, Vegetable/Casserole
Cuisine American
Servings 15
Calories 147 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9×13" glass baking dish
  • 1 large skillet
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • 1 potato masher to press out all of the water in the spinach
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups onion diced, 1 really large onion
  • 1/2 stick unsalted butter (1/4 cup)
  • 1 leek green top removed, thoroughly washed and diced or sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup gluten free flour or use regular flour
  • 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup half-and-half
  • 24 oz. frozen chopped spinach thawed with all moisture pressed out
  • 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
  • 1/2 cup Gruyere cheese shredded
  • 1 1/2 tsp. sea salt or kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add onions and leeks and sauté about 5 minutes until tender.
  • Add garlic and cook about 1 minutes longer—until fragrant, but don’t scorch the garlic or it will become bitter.
  • Add the flour and nutmeg.
  • Stir and cook an additional minute.
  • Add the cream and half-and-half and stir constantly until mixture is thickened.
  • Add salt and pepper.
  • Stir in 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
  • Squeeze out as much water from spinach as possible and add to cream mixture. (I used a potato masher to press out the water).
  • Stir pressed spinach into cheese mixture.
  • Prepare a 9×13” glass baking dish by spraying with olive oil cooking spray.
  • Add spinach mixture.
  • Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup freshly grated Gruyere cheese.
  • Cover with foil. Bake at 350° about 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen
 

Nutrition

Calories: 147kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 6gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 358mgPotassium: 244mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 5772IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 182mgIron: 1mg
Keyword casserole, cheese, gluten free, side dish, spinach, vegetable
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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