This easy creamed spinach recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser! Perfect for Thanksgiving, it comes together in just 30 minutes thanks to a clever supermarket shortcut. Herb and garlic soft cheese, like Boursin, delivers rich flavor with minimal effort, melting smoothly into sautéed onions and garlic. Thawed frozen spinach and a generous handful of Parmesan complete the dish.

For the best results, make sure to thoroughly squeeze the spinach dry after thawing to prevent a watery casserole. Top it off with a sprinkle of buttery cracker crumbs for a delightfully crispy finish.

Creamed Spinach Casserole Ingredients

• Yellow onion and garlic - form the aromatic base for the spinach casserole
• Unsalted butter - used to sauté the onion and garlic
• Soft cheese - essential to adding creaminess to the spinach casserole. Using a flavored cheese adds more flavor to the whole dish.
• Salt and black pepper - accentuates the flavor of the creamy cheese mixture
• Nutmeg - adds a warming flavor to the cheese mixture, and to the casserole as a whole
• Frozen spinach - using frozen spinach is an easy shortcut that means this dish is ready within 30 minutes. Just be sure to let your frozen spinach thaw, and thoroughly pat it dry before baking to avoid a watery casserole. Alternatively, you can also use chopped fresh spinach if you have it on hand.
• Parmesan cheese - brings a salty, nutty flavor to the casserole
• Heavy cream - gives the casserole a rich texture and flavor. For a lighter take, you can use half and half instead.
• Crackers - adds texture to the casserole in the form of a buttery, crunchy topping

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped (roughly 4 teaspoons)
• 2 5.2-ounce packages herb-and-garlic soft cheese (e.g., a brand like Boursin)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 12-ounce packages of frozen chopped spinach, thawed and pressed to remove excess moisture
• 2 ounces grated Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/2 cup), divided
• 16 round, buttery crackers (such as Ritz), crushed into fine crumbs
• 1 cup heavy cream

Directions

Preheat the oven:

Heat the oven to 400°F, placing a rack in the top third.

Melt butter and sauté aromatics:

In a large skillet (preferably oven-safe and suitable for serving), melt butter over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, cooking and stirring frequently until softened, about 6 minutes.

Lower the heat, add seasonings and cheese:

Reduce the heat to medium-low. Mix in the soft cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg, stirring until the cheese is fully melted, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Combine spinach, Parmesan, and cream:

Stir in the spinach along with 1/4 cup of Parmesan. Then, add the cream and mix well. If your skillet isn't oven-safe, transfer everything to a 13x9-inch baking dish.

Top with crumbs, additional cheese, and bake:

Sprinkle the mixture with crushed crackers and the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden and crisp on top.

Prepare in Advance:

Assemble the spinach mixture up to 2 days ahead and store it in a baking dish in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, sprinkle the top with cracker crumbs and the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan.