Ingredients
Spinach Mixture
- 1 pound spinach (fresh or frozen, thawed and squeezed of moisture)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)
Eggs
- 4 large fresh eggs
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the eggs later.
- Prepare Spinach: Thoroughly wash the spinach leaves to remove all dirt and grit, then drain them well to avoid excess water in the dish.
- Sauté Garlic: In a 10 to 12-inch oven-safe skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute, which infuses the butter with garlic aroma.
- Cook Spinach: Gradually add the spinach to the skillet, stirring occasionally until wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste to build flavor in the base.
- Add Cream and Flavorings: Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream, lemon zest, and lemon juice, then add the freshly grated nutmeg. Allow the mixture to simmer gently until slightly thickened, creating a creamy sauce.
- Incorporate Parmesan: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and fully incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Add Eggs: Make small wells in the spinach mixture and crack one egg into each well. Season the eggs with salt and pepper carefully.
- Top With Cheese: Sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese over the spinach mixture, avoiding covering the egg yolks, which will bake atop the creamy bed.
- Bake: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the egg whites are set but the yolks remain slightly runny for a luscious texture.
- Rest and Serve: Let the dish rest for a few minutes after baking to allow flavors to settle before serving warm.
Notes
- Use a 10 to 12-inch oven-safe skillet to cook and bake this dish in the same pan for convenience and even heat distribution.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, cook the spinach mixture in a regular skillet, then transfer it to a baking dish before adding the eggs and baking.
- Keep the sauce slightly runny before baking as it will thicken in the oven, ensuring the spinach stays moist and creamy and the dish does not dry out.
- Crack each egg into a small bowl first before placing into the spinach to maintain yolk integrity and avoid shell fragments in the dish.
- White film forming on the eggs during baking is normal and safe to eat; it does not affect flavor or texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian