Cheesy Spinach Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 cup fried onions (lightly crushed, use store-bought or homemade)
• 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup shredded Gouda
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 18 oz. fresh spinach (2 bags)
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 4 oz. cream cheese
• 1 1/2 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan
• Zest of 1 lemon (optional - but delicious)

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Topping: ---

2. 2

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

3. 3

   topping: Combine the topping ingredients in a small bowl, mix, and set aside.

4. 4

   --- Sauce: ---

5. 5

   cook spinach: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. After that, add the spinach in batches, and cook, stirring until wilted, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

6. 6

   make roux: Next, in the same skillet add the butter, melt it, and stir it until bubbly. Add the minced garlic and flour and stir constantly with a wooden spoon, for 2 minutes, until a roux forms.

7. 7

   add liquid: Have the milk next to you and once the flour and butter are combined, whisk in the milk and cream little by little. Season the mixture with salt, pepper, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens, about 5 to 7 minutes.

8. 8

   add cream cheese: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream cheese until completely combined.

9. 9

   stir in cheese: After that, add the shredded Gruyère little by little, stirring well after each addition to make sure the cheese is fully incorporated before adding more.

10. 10

    stir in parmesan: Stir in the parmesan cheese. The mixture will be very thick at this point.

11. 11

    spinach: Add the spinach with juices from the bowl back to the pan, and stir until well combined.

12. 12

    onions: Add the remaining 1/2 cup of French fried onions and stir.

13. 13

    add to baking dish: Transfer the mixture to an 8-by-8-inch baking dish.

14. 14

    bake: Sprinkle with the prepared topping.

15. 15

    Bake in the preheated oven until the casserole is bubbling and the topping is golden brown, about 30 to 35 minutes.

16. 16

    serve: Let sit for at least 10 minutes before serving. Top with freshly grated lemon zest before serving.