Pernod Creamed Spinach Casserole

Elevate your side dish game with this Pernod Creamed Spinach Casserole, a decadent twist on classic creamed spinach that’s perfect for holidays or indulgent dinners. Fresh spinach is blanched and folded into a luxurious sauce made with heavy cream, cream cheese, and Parmesan, then accented by the subtle anise flavor of Pernod for an unexpected depth of taste. A golden breadcrumb topping infused with olive oil adds the perfect crunch to this creamy, oven-baked casserole. With its balance of rich, velvety textures and bright, herbaceous notes, this crowd-pleasing recipe is as impressive as it is comforting. Serve it alongside roast meats or as the shining star of your next vegetarian spread.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 pounds fresh spinach
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium, finely diced yellow onion
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 cup whole milk
• 2 tablespoons Pernod (anise-flavored liquor)
• 4 ounces, softened cream cheese
• 0.5 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 0.25 teaspoon, freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste) salt
• 0.5 teaspoon (adjust to taste) black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spinach and blanch for 1-2 minutes, until wilted. Transfer the spinach to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain well, then squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible. Roughly chop the spinach and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, stirring frequently.

Step 4

Stir in the heavy cream, whole milk, softened cream cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese. Cook, stirring often, until the mixture is smooth and creamy, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5

Add the Pernod, freshly grated nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine, then mix in the chopped spinach. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, ensuring the spinach is evenly coated in the cream mixture.

Step 6

Transfer the creamed spinach mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 7

In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the spinach mixture.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

Step 9

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1708.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2592.7

Total Fat 200.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 110.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.6g
Cholesterol 545.2mg	0%
Sodium 4997.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 100.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.1g	0%
Total Sugars 19.0g
Protein 58.1g	0%

Vitamin D 62.6IU	0%
Calcium 1637.4mg	0%
Iron 32.1mg	0%
Potassium 547.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 74.0%

Protein: 9.5%

Carbs: 16.4%