Description
Rich, creamy greens baked under a golden layer of Gruyère cheese and topped with crispy shallots a luxurious holiday side dish that transforms classic creamed spinach into a showstopper gratin.
Ingredients
2 tbsp butter
2 shallots, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp nutmeg
10 oz baby spinach (or a mix of kale and Swiss chard), roughly chopped
1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup crispy fried shallots (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly butter a medium baking dish.
2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped shallots and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
3. Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Whisk in flour to create a roux, cooking for 1 minute.
5. Gradually whisk in milk and cream, stirring constantly until smooth and slightly thickened, about 3–4 minutes.
6. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
7. Add chopped greens to the sauce, stirring until wilted and evenly coated.
8. Remove from heat and stir in half of the Gruyère cheese.
9. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish and top with remaining Gruyère and Parmesan cheese.
10. Bake for 15–18 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
11. Sprinkle with crispy shallots before serving.
Notes
You can use a combination of spinach, kale, and Swiss chard for deeper flavor.
Make ahead by assembling the gratin without baking, then refrigerate and bake before serving.
For a smoky twist, add a pinch of smoked paprika or crumbled bacon to the topping.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: French-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3/4 cup
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: creamed greens gratin, gruyere spinach bake, holiday side dish, cheesy greens casserole