🍽️Casserole

Baked Potato and Spinach Casserole with Mozzarella

Name: Baked Potato and Spinach Casserole with Mozzarella
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Casserole
Ingredients: 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced; 3 cups fresh spinach, washed and chopped; 1 cup diced salami or ham; 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated; 1 large onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 1 teaspoon turmeric; Salt and black pepper, to taste; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; Fresh herbs such as dill, finely chopped (optional)

"Experience the ultimate comfort food upgrade where creamy golden potatoes meet a vibrant, savory heart of spinach and melted mozzarella."

Prep:20 min

Cook:45 min

LevelMedium

Analyzing...

● Ingredients

4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
3 cups fresh spinach, washed and chopped
1 cup diced salami or ham
1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon turmeric
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Fresh herbs such as dill, finely chopped (optional)

🌱 Gluten-Free🌱 High-Protein🌱 Comfort Food⚡ Medium

❤️Health74%

😋Taste88%

🥳Joy92%

👨‍🍳Difficulty45/100

📜 The Story

This dish is a creative fusion of the British Shepherd’s Pie architecture and Mediterranean flavor profiles found in Greek spanakopita. The use of turmeric and lemon juice suggests a modern Levantine influence, elevating a humble potato bake into a vibrant, multi-cultural comfort staple.

🧬 Flavor DNA

🍋Sour

4/10

🧂Salty

7/10

🌶️Spicy

2/10

🍯Sweet

2/10

🍄umami

8/10

☕Bitter

2/10

✨ Sensory Profile

"A symphony of textures featuring a golden, bubbly mozzarella crust that yields to pillowy layers of creamy mashed potatoes and a zesty, savory spinach-and-meat core. The aroma is dominated by toasted garlic and earthy turmeric, finished with the bright, citrusy lift of fresh lemon."

Chef's Mastery

💡

The Secret

For the smoothest potato layers, use a ricer instead of a traditional masher and ensure the potatoes are completely dry before mashing.

⚠️

Avoid This

Leaving too much moisture in the spinach after sautéing, which can lead to a watery middle layer and soggy potatoes.

❄️

Storage

Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat in the oven at 350°F to maintain the texture of the cheese and potato.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a medium baking dish.

Boil the diced potatoes in well-salted water until fork-tender. Drain thoroughly, mash until smooth, and season lightly with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add the garlic and turmeric and cook for 30 seconds, stirring, until fragrant.

Add the spinach and cook until wilted and any excess moisture has evaporated. Stir in the diced salami or ham, season with salt and pepper, and finish with lemon juice. Remove from heat.

Spread half of the mashed potatoes evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Layer the spinach and meat mixture evenly over the potatoes.

Cover with the remaining mashed potatoes, smoothing the surface with a spatula.

Sprinkle the grated mozzarella evenly over the top.

Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and lightly golden. Let rest for a few minutes before serving, then garnish with fresh herbs if desired.