This Italian spinach with cheese recipe is a delicious, cheesy side dish made with fresh spinach, mozzarella, and cacioricotta—a unique aged ricotta cheese from Southern Italy. Creamy, comforting, and easy to prepare, it’s a staple of Italian home cooking.
Italian Spinach with Cheese: A Childhood Favorite
I can’t count how many times I saw my mom open a plastic bag of frozen spinach cubes with white dots and toss them into a skillet! It was a time when Italy embraced tenthusiasm and blind trust in frozen foods. The illusion of five-minute meals had conquered us all.
Plus, anything cheesy and creamy and with extra salt would conquer any childish palate. And my mom had four to feed!
But spinaci filanti (Italian for “melting spinach”) was never just a store-bought invention. It had always been part of Italy’s traditional recipes, we had simply forgotten how easy and rewarding it is to make it from scratch.
What Makes This Italian Spinach Recipe Special?
Instead of relying on salt and artificial flavor enhancers, this authentic Italian recipe combines mozzarella and cacioricotta cheese.
Mozzarella – Melts beautifully, giving the dish that irresistible stretchiness.
Cacioricotta – Aged, with a richer, more complex flavor than mozzarella, bringing depth and character to the dish.
This simple Italian side dish is not only comforting and flavorful but also a healthier homemade alternative to processed, frozen versions.
How to Make Italian Spinach with Cheese
Making spinach and cheese the Italian way is incredibly simple. All you need is fresh spinach, good-quality cheese, garlic, and olive oil.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Prep the ingredients – Wash and drain the fresh spinach leaves and finely chop the mozzarella and cacioricotta.
- Sauté the garlic – Heat a bit of extra-virgin olive oil in a pan and cook a crushed garlic clove until fragrant.
- Cook the spinach – Add the spinach, season with a pinch of salt, and let it cook until very soft and tender – overcooked vegetables are a characteristic of Italian cuisine.
- Melt the cheese – Toss in the chopped mozzarella and cacioricotta, stirring until they melt and coat the spinach in a creamy, cheesy emulsion.
Serve immediately – This dish is best served hot, straight from the skillet!
Pro Tip:
For the best results, prepare your ingredients in advance and finish cooking just before serving. This way, your spinach with melted cheese will be hot, gooey, and irresistible!
You can use only mozzarella cheese, but you’ll probably need more salt or more garlic – which is not a terrible idea!
Why This Dish is a True Taste of Italy
Overcooked vegetables may not be common in other cuisines, but in Italy, we embrace it! The tender, soft texture allows the cheese to blend effortlessly, creating a creamy, comforting side dish perfect for pairing with grilled meats, rustic bread, or a simple pasta dish.
Italian spinach with cheese
Ingredients
- 1 oz fresh spinach - 400 gr
- 1 garlic clove crushed
- 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 3.5 oz mozzarella - 100 gr
- 1.8 oz cacioricotta - 50 gr
- salt
Instructions
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Clean and drain the spinach well.
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Peel and crush the garlic clove with the blade of a large knife.
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Pour the olive oil into a large pan and add the garlic and sauté over medium heat for a couple of minutes.
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Add the spinach, sprinkle them with a pinch or two of salt, and cover. Lower heat and cook until mushy - five to eight minutes.
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Meanwhile, finely chop or trite the cheeses.
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When the spinach is fully cooked, add the cheeses. Mix, over medium heat, until the cheeses have melted and have been well amalgamated to the veggies.
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Serve hot.
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Enjoy your Italian spinach with cheese recipe!
Claudia