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🍴🐦
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my Newsletter and come hang out with me on INSTAGRAM, or give me a follow on FACEBOOK or see what I’m pinning on PINTEREST.
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
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
Nutrition
Best spinach I’ve ever had
I have made this three times in a month honestly.... My favorite side now...having it Sunday for Easter..try so much
Thanks for letting me know, Rose! I LOVE this spinach recipe, too!
@Kelly, I would like to use fresh spinach. Just cook it in a little water and drain - save the water? About how much water is left after cooking frozen spinach??? This sounds delicious Thanks, Kathy
brook1pv@yahoo.com
I'm not exactly sure as I've never measured the final water amount from frozen spinach. Don't drain the cooking water, add the ingredients as in the directions.
I was so skeptical because bread????? But I always like to try one new dish at my X-Mas table each year. As I was making it all I had was soft keto white bread so I used that and it wasn’t disappearing into the spinach
( maybe the fiber content) so I hit a few times with an immersion blender and it was perfect. Everyone loved this dish and a few asked for the recipe. This dish will probably be another staple and I’ll have to find a new “new” dish next year.
Glad to hear it all worked out for you, Deena. Sounds like it was well received!
I grew up with this being called spinach or greens soufflé. My mom used left over greens or spinach to make it and it was always a “fancy” holiday side. Easter. Thanksgiving. Christmas. Anniversaries. I loved it so much I always asked for it as a side for my birthday dinner. Steak. Layered potato bake (sometimes with cheese). Corn on the cob. Greens soufflé. And for dessert strawberry pretzel salad. Oh the memories!
Your clever recipe mirrors a savory vegetable stuffing in its simplicity. A jolly-good “Rockefeller” idea might see the addition of a schucked oyster element, or other mollusks , ie., mussel, clam, or , perhaps lobster or shrimp! Will definitely try
Yours and expect to be most pleased. Ty for posting.
Love this. I did add 3 minced garlic cloves & a small can of artichoke hearts. Delish!
Instead of white bread,can I use wheatbread?
Sure, that should be fine.
Can this be made ahead of time? Small kitchen, lite so make for Thanksgiving....
I never have but you probably can, I'd do the topping the day of.
Great recipe just took to wedding
I’m going to be the “nightmare” commenter because I made tons of changes to the recipe. But I absolutely loved the idea of using butter and bread to make it “creamy”. I didn’t follow specific amounts because I had fresh spinach so it most likely was less than frozen so I followed just generic recipe steps and not specific quantities. I was quite confused about adding bread to spinach but it totally works! I loved it! Thank you!
PS. Somehow I am unable to add star rating as it’s not taking them but i was going to rate it at 5 stars. Feel free to edit it if you can to include stars.
I'm glad you liked it, thanks so much for the nice words 😊
@Julia,
Would love to know you modified. I wanted to make it with fresh spinach.
Looking forward to making this.
Yay! It's a tasty way to make a spinach casserole.
Have you ever tried making this with fresh spinach?
Thinking about adding bacon and subbing with creamed spinach. Looks really good as is but like putting a twist on stuff!
The Rockefeller's never had it this good!
So for Christmas Eve dinner this year, we did things a little differently. We had meatloaf and mashed potatoes and your wonderful Spinach Rockefeller. It's a delicious mix, not quite spinach bread pudding or creamed spinach, but something in the middle. A terrific side dish!
Thanks Quinn, it was one of my favorite sides at the holidays growing up. My mom's here visiting for the holidays and I made this ~ she forgot how much we loved it, she hasn't had in years!