Embrace the magic of winter with Seasonal Spoonful’s, a 13-week celebration of comforting recipes and community connection. Each week, we’ll spotlight heartwarming dishes featuring creative ideas for the cold months. This series invites the community to share their own cozy recipes, creating a collective treasure trove of seasonal flavors. Together, let’s savor the season, one spoonful at a time.
Seasonal Spoonful’s: Sweet Potato Spinach Bake
In this week’s installment of our Seasonal Spoonful’s series, we bring you a dish that’s not only bursting with flavor but also packed with wholesome ingredients to brighten your winter evenings. This Sweet Potato Spinach Bake is a perfect example of comfort food that nourishes both body and soul.
Sweet potatoes and spinach come together in a harmonious blend, complemented by creamy cheese and savory seasonings. It’s a versatile dish that works as a side for holiday dinners or as a satisfying vegetarian main. Best of all, it’s simple to prepare and offers a healthy balance of complex carbohydrates, protein, and vitamins, making it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced home cooks.
Sweet Potato Spinach Bake Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced thinly
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 package (10 ounces) fresh baby spinach
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Directions:
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes:
- Peel and thinly slice the sweet potatoes.
- Place the slices in a 1 1/2-quart microwave-safe bowl with 1/2 cup of water.
- Microwave for 6-8 minutes until slightly softened.
- Cook Spinach Mixture:
- Heat a large pot on the stove over medium heat.
- Dice the yellow onion and add it to the pot with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
- Sauté until the onion is almost translucent.
- Add minced garlic and stir briefly.
- Add the fresh baby spinach to the pot.
- Cover with a lid and allow the spinach to wilt.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- Once the spinach is wilted, sprinkle 1/4 cup of flour into the pot.
- Stir and cook for 2 minutes to combine.
- Slowly pour in the 2 cups of milk while stirring continuously.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often, until slightly thickened.
- Assemble the Bake:
- Butter a casserole dish.
- Spread half of the spinach and milk mixture evenly on the bottom.
- Layer half of the sweet potato slices on top of the spinach mixture.
- Sprinkle with half of the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining spinach mixture, sweet potatoes, and cheese.
- Bake:
- Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake at 375°F for 15 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes.
- Rest and Serve:
- Let the bake rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Enjoy your creamy and flavorful Sweet Potato Spinach Bake!
Why You’ll Love It: This Sweet Potato Spinach Bake is a celebration of seasonal flavors and ingredients. Sweet potatoes add a hint of natural sweetness, while spinach provides vibrant color and a nutrient boost. Gruyere cheese ties it all together with its rich, nutty flavor.
Share your own variations or photos of your dish with us! We’d love to see how this recipe becomes part of your family’s seasonal traditions.
Learn more about Seasonal Spoonful’s and our mission to share comforting recipes by reading the series introduction here.
Have a favorite winter comfort recipe with a healthy twist? We’d love for you to share it with us!
