Description
Baked Eggs Florentine is a healthy and flavorful breakfast or brunch dish featuring sautéed spinach, garlic, and onions in a creamy sauce topped with eggs and cheese, then baked to perfection. This recipe combines fresh ingredients and rich textures, ideal for a nutritious start to your day.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
- 4 cups fresh spinach (or frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
Seasonings and Dairy
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or milk for a lighter version)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra richness)
- 1/4 cup shredded cheese (Gruyère, cheddar, or mozzarella, depending on your preference)
Eggs
- 4 large eggs
Garnish and Serving
- Fresh herbs (optional; parsley, thyme, or chives work well)
- Toasted bread or English muffins (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat and Sauté Aromatics: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Cook Spinach and Prepare Cream Sauce: Add the fresh or thawed spinach to the skillet and cook until it wilts completely. Stir in the ground nutmeg, salt, pepper, and heavy cream. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until the cream slightly thickens. Remove the skillet from heat and fold in the Parmesan cheese, if using, to add richness.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the creamy spinach mixture to an oven-safe dish or divide it evenly among individual ramekins. Use the back of a spoon to create four small wells in the mixture, one for each egg.
- Add Eggs and Cheese: Carefully crack one egg into each well, making sure to keep the yolks intact. Sprinkle each egg with salt, pepper, and the shredded cheese of your choice to add flavor and a delightful melty topping.
- Bake the Eggs: Place the dish or ramekins in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. The eggs are done when the whites are set but yolks remain slightly runny. For firmer yolks, continue baking for 2-3 more minutes as needed.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove the baked eggs from the oven. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or chives as desired. Serve warm with toasted bread or English muffins, perfect for dipping into the creamy yolks and spinach mixture.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with milk.
- Parmesan cheese is optional but adds extra richness and depth of flavor.
- Use fresh herbs to boost flavor and presentation.
- Watch the baking time closely to achieve your preferred egg yolk consistency.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or English muffins for a complete meal.
