Name: Butternut Squash and Creamed-Spinach Gratin
Cook time: 1 1/4 hr
Total time: 2 hr
Yield: 8–10 servings
Ingredients: 3 pounds fresh spinach, stems discarded, or 3 (10-ounce) packages frozen leaf spinach, thawed; 5 tablespoons unsalted butter plus additional for greasing pan; ¾ cup finely chopped onion (1 small); 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1½ teaspoons salt; ¾ teaspoon black pepper; Rounded ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg; 1 cup heavy cream; 4 pounds butternut squash (2 large), peeled, quartered, and seeded; ½ ounce finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (¼ cup); An adjustable-blade slicer

Butternut Squash and Creamed Spinach Gratin in a dish with a serving taken out and a glass of wine on the side.

Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson

Parmigiano-Reggiano and a generous dose of heavy cream transform butternut squash and spinach into a rich, bubbling gratin.

Cooks' Note

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Recipe information

Total Time
2 hr
Yield
8–10 servings

Ingredients

3 pounds fresh spinach, stems discarded, or 3 (10-ounce) packages frozen leaf spinach, thawed

5 tablespoons unsalted butter plus additional for greasing pan

¾ cup finely chopped onion (1 small)

3 garlic cloves, minced

1½ teaspoons salt

¾ teaspoon black pepper

Rounded ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1 cup heavy cream

4 pounds butternut squash (2 large), peeled, quartered, and seeded

½ ounce finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (¼ cup)

Special Equipment

An adjustable-blade slicer

Preparation

Step 1
If using fresh spinach, bring 1 inch water to a boil in a 6- to 8-quart pot over high heat. Add spinach, a few handfuls at a time, and cook, turning with tongs, until wilted, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water.
Step 2
Thoroughly squeeze cooked fresh or thawed frozen spinach in small handfuls to remove excess moisture, then coarsely chop and transfer to a bowl.
Step 3
Melt 3 tablespoons butter in an 8-inch heavy skillet over moderately low heat, then cook onion and garlic, stirring, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add onion mixture to spinach along with salt, pepper, nutmeg, and cream and stir to combine.
Step 4
Put oven rack in upper third of oven and preheat oven to 400°F. Butter a 3-quart shallow baking dish (13 by 9 inches; not glass).
Step 5
Cut squash to separate bulb section from solid neck section, then cut pieces lengthwise into 1/8-inch-thick slices with slicer.
Step 6
Layer squash and spinach mixture in baking dish, using about one fifth of squash and one fourth of spinach for each layer, beginning and ending with squash. Sprinkle top layer of squash evenly with cheese and dot with remaining 2 tablespoons butter, then cover directly with a sheet of parchment paper. Bake until squash is tender and filling is bubbling, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove paper and bake gratin until browned in spots, 10 to 15 minutes, or broil 3 inches from heat, 2 to 3 minutes.