Description
Comfort meets elegance in this cheesy potato & spinach bake, where rustic ingredients dance with creamy sophistication. Mediterranean-inspired flavors blend seamlessly, promising a delightful meal you’ll savor down to the last golden, crispy bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.2 kilograms (2.6 pounds) potatoes
- 300 grams (10.5 ounces) spinach
- 150 grams (5.3 ounces) ham, sliced
- 30 grams (1.1 ounces) hard Parmesan cheese, plus some for topping
- 80 grams (2.8 ounces) hard mozzarella cheese, sliced
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 raw sweet red pepper
- 1 chicken egg
- 20 grams (0.7 ounces) breadcrumbs
Seasonings and Cooking Ingredients:
- Some vegetable oil for sautéing
- Salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash and scrub potatoes, preparing them for boiling at medium-high heat until fork-tender, approximately 15-20 minutes.
- Drain potatoes and transform them into smooth, creamy mashed consistency, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium flame, introducing finely chopped onions, minced garlic, and diced sweet red pepper.
- Sauté the aromatic vegetables until translucent and softened, releasing their natural flavors.
- Incorporate fresh spinach leaves into the skillet, allowing them to wilt and reduce in volume while seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Combine the mashed potatoes with the sautéed vegetable medley, whisking in a beaten egg and breadcrumbs to create a cohesive mixture.
- Grease a baking dish and spread half of the potato mixture as the foundational layer.
- Arrange thin ham slices and mozzarella cheese strategically across the initial potato layer.
- Carefully cover the ham and cheese with the remaining potato mixture, creating a uniform surface.
- Generously sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and additional breadcrumbs over the top for a crispy golden finish.
- Position the baking dish in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius and bake for 30 minutes until the surface turns a rich, appetizing golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and dish to firm up.
Notes
- Swap ham with plant-based protein like tofu or tempeh to create a vegetarian version of this comforting dish.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like cheddar or gouda for unique flavor profiles.
- Enhance nutritional value by adding roasted vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers to the potato mixture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 70mg