Description
Savory spinach florentine breakfast casserole brings Italian-inspired comfort to morning meals. Layers of creamy eggs, fresh spinach, and melted cheese create a satisfying brunch experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 10 large eggs
- 1 cup (237 ml/8 fl oz) whole milk
- ½ cup (120 ml/4 fl oz) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100 g/3.5 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (50 g/1.8 oz) grated Parmesan cheese
- 5 oz (140 g) fresh spinach
- ½ cup (75 g/2.6 oz) diced onions
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup (80 g/2.8 oz) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tbsp (15 ml/0.5 fl oz) olive oil or butter
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup (120 g/4.2 oz) bread cubes
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a skillet, heat olive oil and cook onions and garlic until fragrant and translucent, then incorporate spinach and wilt completely.
- Create Custard Base: Whisk eggs, milk, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl until smooth and well-integrated.
- Layer Foundation: Arrange bread cubes evenly across the baking dish, then top with the sautéed spinach and onion mixture.
- Add Cheese Layer: Distribute mozzarella and Parmesan cheese generously over the spinach, creating a rich, melty surface.
- Incorporate Liquid: Gently pour egg mixture over the entire casserole, pressing bread to ensure thorough absorption, and optionally scatter cherry tomatoes on top.
- Baking Process: Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and center is completely set.
- Finishing Touches: Let the casserole rest for 5-7 minutes, garnish with fresh herbs, slice, and serve warm for a luxurious breakfast experience.
Notes
- Optimize Bread Absorption: Use day-old or slightly stale bread cubes to ensure maximum egg mixture absorption and create a more custardy texture without becoming soggy.
- Prevent Watery Outcome: Thoroughly drain excess moisture from sautéed spinach by gently pressing with paper towels, preventing a watery casserole and maintaining a firm consistency.
- Cheese Temperature Trick: Allow cheese to reach room temperature before sprinkling to ensure more even melting and better distribution throughout the casserole.
- Dietary Adaptation: Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for a lighter version, and use gluten-free bread for a celiac-friendly alternative that maintains the dish’s rich flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 352
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 265 mg