Grandmother's Spinach Rockefeller Recipe

My grandmother's Spinach Rockefeller recipe ~ spinach, bread crumbs, Parmesan, butter and seasonings, cooked and then baked in a casserole. Brown, crispy topping over creamy spinach, perfect with beef or lamb for the holidays.

My grandmother was not the best cook, but just like my mom, she made a few dishes that became favorites, especially at the holidays.  My Grandmother's Spinach Rockefeller is one of those dishes and a favorite of mine.

Not sure what the origins of this side dish are, Oysters Rockefeller, maybe?  The spinach topping in casserole form, without the oysters?  Maybe.  I know Gallatoire's in New Orleans has a version of this, much more involved than my grandmother's recipe.  And I've seen versions that include tomatoes.  Hmmm, not my grandmother's.  This dish morphed from somewhere though.

My Grandmother's Spinach Rockefeller has spinach, white bread ~ both pieces and crumbs ~ butter and seasonings.  It's topped with a bread crumb/Parmesan cheese mixture that, when baked, becomes a browned, crispy topping over creamy spinach (but no cream at all in the recipe).

Growing up, we had this side usually at Easter or another holiday if the main course was beef or lamb.  My dad and brother were not green vegetable eaters, so my mom made this knowing that she and I would eat most of it.  And that was totally fine with me.  I loved this spinach dish and would get nervous if a guest took a big helping, leaving less for my mom and me.

Spinach Rockefeller is a great side with beef, lamb or ham.  I've served it at dinner parties and people love it ~ something a bit different than creamed spinach.  My Grandmother's Spinach Rockefeller Recipe ~ I think you'll like this one.  Enjoy the holidays, and maybe this spinach side on your table.  If you recognize the recipe and can shed any light on where it came from, please, do let me know ~ Happy Holidays, Kelly🍴🐦

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You might also like some of my other favorite sides for the spring holidays:

• Honey Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots super easy recipe on the stovetop.
• Easy Corn Casserole made with corn muffin mix, a family favorite!
• Cheesy Potatoes classic hash brown potato casserole.
• Easy Baked Beans starts with canned pork and beans, topped with bacon and brown sugar.
• Best Brussels Sprouts caramelized on the stovetop with honey and Dijon mustard.

Spinach Rockefeller Casserole

My Grandmother's Spinach Rockefeller Recipe with spinach, bread crumbs and Parmesan, baked in a casserole. Brown, crispy topping over creamy spinach, perfect with beef or lamb for the holidays.

4.93 from 27 votes

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Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 302kcal

Author: Kelly Wildenhaus

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Ingredients

• ▢ 2 boxes frozen chopped spinach
• ▢ ¼ cup water
• ▢ 3 slices white bread, crusts removed, torn into pieces
• ▢ ½ cup butter (1 stick)
• ▢ 1 teaspoon celery salt
• ▢ 1½ tsps Worcestershire sauce ~ or as my grandmother and mom say, Lea & Perrins
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
• ▢ 2 tablespoon butter, melted
• ▢ ½ cup coarse, fresh bread crumbs ~ I made mine with white bread in the food processor
• ▢ ½ cup grated Parmesan

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400º
• In medium sauce pan, cook frozen spinach in ¼ cup water, lid on, and stir frequently to break up as it cooks, 10 - 15 minutes.  Do NOT drain water. 
• Add the bread pieces, butter, celery salt, Worcestershire and garlic salt, stir to combine and butter melts, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Meanwhile, make the topping.  In small bowl, combine melted 2 tablespoons butter, bread crumbs and Parmesan with a fork until crumbly.
• Lightly butter small round casserole.  Place spinach mixture in casserole and smooth top.  Sprinkle top of spinach evenly with bread crumb/Parmesan topping mixture.  Bake in center of oven for 15 minutes, until browned and bubbly. 

Recipe Notes

Serves 4 to 6 as a side dish

Spinach Rockefeller is a great side with beef, lamb or ham.  I’ve served it at dinner parties and people love it ~ something a bit different than creamed spinach.  

Nutrition

Calories: 302kcal Carbohydrates: 18g Protein: 8g Fat: 23g Saturated Fat: 14g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 6g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 58mg Sodium: 998mg Potassium: 393mg Fiber: 3g Sugar: 2g Vitamin A: 11763IU Vitamin C: 5mg Calcium: 246mg Iron: 3mg

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