Half-and-Half Creamed Spinach Gratin

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich and velvety gratin featuring spinach in a luscious half-and-half cream sauce, baked to golden perfection. This French-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs fresh spinach leaves, half-and-half, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 French cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Rinse and roughly chop 12 oz fresh spinach leaves. Set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 2 cloves minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Whisk in 2 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes until the mixture bubbles and turns a light golden color.
  4. Step 4: Gradually pour in 1 cup half-and-half while whisking to avoid lumps. Continue cooking over medium heat, stirring often until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
  6. Step 6: Add the chopped spinach to the sauce and cook for 2 minutes until wilted and evenly coated.
  7. Step 7: Transfer the spinach mixture to a buttered 8x8-inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs evenly over the top.
  8. Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Half-and-Half Creamed Spinach Gratin take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Half-and-Half Creamed Spinach Gratin?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep fresh spinach leaves from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Half-and-Half Creamed Spinach Gratin?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Half-and-Half Creamed Spinach Gratin for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Half-and-Half Creamed Spinach Gratin vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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