River Road Spinach Madeleine

Indulge in the rich, Southern-inspired flavors of River Road Spinach Madeleine, a timeless Louisiana classic that brings creamy, cheesy comfort to your table. This crowd-pleasing dish combines tender spinach with a velvety cheese sauce infused with bold seasonings like cayenne and optional jalapeños for a subtle kick. Made with a luscious base of roux, evaporated milk, and processed cheese, this versatile recipe can be served stovetop for a quick side dish or baked with a golden breadcrumb topping for a casserole-style presentation. Perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or weeknight dinners, this Spinach Madeleine offers a nostalgic taste of the South while being easy to prepare in just 35 minutes.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 20 oz frozen spinach
• 4 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 5 oz evaporated milk
• 0.5 cup reserved vegetable liquid
• 0.5 cup onion (finely chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 8 oz processed cheese (cut into cubes)
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 tbsp jalapeño or green chiles (optional, finely chopped)
• 0.25 cup breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) if planning to serve Spinach Madeleine as a baked casserole.

Step 2

Thaw the frozen spinach according to the package directions. Squeeze out excess water and reserve 1/2 cup of the liquid for the recipe.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and whisk constantly for 2 minutes to create a roux.

Step 4

Slowly stir in the evaporated milk and reserved vegetable liquid, whisking until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken.

Step 5

Add the onions and garlic to the sauce, cooking for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cubes of processed cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the mixture is creamy.

Step 7

Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. If using jalapeños or green chiles, stir them in at this point for added heat.

Step 8

Add the prepared spinach to the cheese sauce, folding to coat evenly.

Step 9

For a stovetop version, heat the mixture thoroughly and serve immediately. For a baked version, transfer the mixture to a greased casserole dish.

Step 10

If desired, sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the casserole dish for added texture.

Step 11

Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.

Step 12

Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your creamy and delicious River Road Spinach Madeleine!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1193.6 grams (1193.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1233

Total Fat 68.90g	88%
Saturated Fat 41.30g	207%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 208mg	69%
Sodium 4971mg	216%
Total Carbohydrate 83.90g	31%
Dietary Fiber 17.10g	61%
Total Sugars 32.90g
Protein 72.90g	146%

Vitamin D 162IU	810%
Calcium 2239mg	172%
Iron 14mg	76%
Potassium 4336mg	92%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 49.7%

Protein: 23.4%

Carbs: 26.9%