Meet your new favorite comfort food: Spinach Casserole with Feta Cheese! This Mediterranean-inspired bake is the perfect marriage of silky spinach, creamy cheeses, and aromatic herbs all bundled up in a golden crust of breadcrumbs. Whether you serve it as a satisfying vegetarian main or as a vibrant side dish, its savory depth and bright pops of feta make it a crowd-pleaser for weeknights and special gatherings alike. Once you try this Spinach Casserole with Feta Cheese, you’ll want to add it to your regular rotation—trust me, one bite and you’ll understand why!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this casserole is just how simple the ingredient list is—yet each component brings something irreplaceable to the table. Every ingredient plays a role, whether it’s adding creaminess, a savory punch, rich color, or irresistible texture. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Olive oil: Adds richness and helps sauté the aromatics for a deeper flavor base.
- Onion: Finely chopped onion gives the casserole sweetness and mellow savoriness.
- Garlic: Minced garlic brings that unmistakable Mediterranean flair and a warm, inviting aroma.
- Fresh spinach: The star ingredient! Use lots for a hearty, vibrant dish—frozen works in a pinch, too.
- Ricotta cheese: Supplies a creamy texture that melts beautifully and contrasts with the spinach.
- Feta cheese: Crumbled feta infuses the casserole with a tangy, salty bite in every forkful.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients together so the casserole bakes up sliceable and satisfying.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds sharpness and an irresistible nutty finish.
- Fresh dill: This herb brings a fresh, grassy note (dried works, too, if you’re in a pinch).
- Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the casserole.
- Black pepper: For just the right hit of mild spice.
- Ground nutmeg: A tiny pinch elevates the earthiness of spinach—don’t skip it!
- Breadcrumbs: Sprinkle over the top for an ultra-satisfying golden crust.
How to Make Spinach Casserole with Feta Cheese
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Dish
Before you dive into mixing and sautéing, get your oven preheating to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray—this will help your casserole release easily and makes cleanup a breeze!
Step 2: Sauté the Onion and Garlic
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it becomes tender and translucent (about 5 minutes). Stir in the garlic and cook for just another minute—enough to bring out its fragrance without letting it burn.
Step 3: Wilt the Spinach
Add the chopped fresh spinach in batches to the skillet, stirring gently to let it wilt down before adding more. If you’re using frozen spinach, simply stir in the thawed and well-drained leaves. The goal is to cook off extra moisture so your Spinach Casserole with Feta Cheese bakes up perfectly set, not soggy!
Step 4: Mix the Cheesy Filling
Transfer your cooked spinach mixture to a large mixing bowl and let it cool for a few minutes (so it doesn’t scramble the eggs). Then, add the ricotta, crumbled feta, eggs, Parmesan, dill, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg. Stir until everything is well combined and you have a cohesively green, cheesy filling.
Step 5: Assemble and Top with Breadcrumbs
Spoon the spinach-and-cheese mixture into your prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs generously over the top; they’ll bake up crisp and golden, completing the irresistible texture that sets a Spinach Casserole with Feta Cheese apart!
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Slide the casserole into the oven and bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden and the center is firmly set. Let it cool for about 10 minutes before slicing—this helps the casserole hold its shape and makes serving much easier.
How to Serve Spinach Casserole with Feta Cheese
Garnishes
Fresh garnishes turn this casserole into a showstopper! Try a flourish of chopped dill or flat-leaf parsley for a pop of color, or scatter a few extra feta crumbles over the top just before serving. A swirl of olive oil or a sprinkle of lemon zest also makes flavors sing.
Side Dishes
Spinach Casserole with Feta Cheese loves company! Serve alongside roasted potatoes, a crisp Greek salad, or a simple bowl of tomato soup. For brunch, pair with fruit salad and warm crusty bread—perfect for soaking up every cheesy, herby bite.
Creative Ways to Present
Need to impress? Cut the baked casserole into neat squares and stack them on a platter for an appetizer spread, or serve atop warm quinoa or orzo for a heartier meal. Individual ramekins turn Spinach Casserole with Feta Cheese into an elegant, dinner-party-worthy starter.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Got extra? Lucky you! Cool leftovers completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. The flavors get even cozier as they meld—and leftovers make a terrific lunch!
Freezing
Spinach Casserole with Feta Cheese freezes beautifully. Once cooled, wrap portions tightly in foil or transfer to freezer containers. To avoid sogginess, freeze up to two months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
To recapture that just-baked magic, reheat slices in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes, uncovered, until piping hot and the top is crisp again. A microwave works in a pinch, too—just cover to retain moisture and heat in short bursts.
FAQs
Can I make this casserole gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just swap in your favorite gluten-free breadcrumbs for the topping. Everything else in Spinach Casserole with Feta Cheese is naturally gluten-free, so it’s a perfect recipe to adapt for special diets.
What can I use instead of feta if I don’t have any?
While feta gives the casserole its signature tang, you can use goat cheese or even a salty ricotta salata as a substitute. The end result will be deliciously creamy, but you’ll miss out on some of that classic briny kick.
Can I assemble Spinach Casserole with Feta Cheese ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the casserole up to a day in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, uncover and add a few extra minutes to the baking time if coming straight from the fridge.
Is it possible to use only frozen spinach?
Definitely. In fact, frozen spinach is a great time-saver. Thaw and squeeze it very well to remove excess moisture before mixing with the other ingredients to keep your casserole from becoming wet.
Can I add other veggies or proteins?
Why not? Chopped cooked mushrooms, roasted red peppers, or even shredded cooked chicken can be mixed in for variation. Spinach Casserole with Feta Cheese is endlessly customizable, so feel free to experiment!
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a dish that’s big on flavor, weeknight-easy, and always comforting, you absolutely have to try this Spinach Casserole with Feta Cheese. I hope it finds a place at the heart of your table just like it has at mine—enjoy every delicious bite!
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Spinach Casserole with Feta Cheese Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Description
This Spinach Casserole with Feta Cheese is a delicious and nutritious dish that combines the flavors of spinach, creamy ricotta, tangy feta, and aromatic dill. Baked to perfection, it makes a satisfying main course or side dish.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 pounds fresh spinach, roughly chopped (or 2 packages frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
Additional Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Saute onion and garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Add spinach: Add the spinach in batches, cooking until wilted. Transfer the spinach mixture to a mixing bowl.
- Combine ingredients: Mix in ricotta, feta, eggs, Parmesan, dill, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Assemble and bake: Spread the mixture in the baking dish, top with breadcrumbs, and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden and set.
- Serve: Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- This dish makes a great vegetarian main or side.
- For a heartier version, add cooked quinoa or rice to the spinach mixture.
- Leftovers reheat well and can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Greek-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
