Description

This creamy, comforting spinach madeleine recipe with Jalapeño Cream Green brings vibrant color and a delightful kick, transforming any dinner into something special. It is a hearty side that feels gourmet without the fuss, perfect for busy families.

Ingredients

Scale

10 oz fresh or frozen spinach
6–8 plain, unsweetened madeleines (or small, savory biscuits)
1–2 jalapeños, diced (adjust to spice level)
4 oz cream cheese, softened
0.5 cup heavy cream
2 cloves garlic, minced
0.25 small onion, finely diced
0.5 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
1 Tbsp butter
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Prep Spinach: If using fresh spinach, sauté it in a large pan with a pat of butter until wilted (about 3-5 minutes). For frozen spinach, thaw completely and squeeze out all excess water using a clean kitchen towel.
Make Cream Sauce: In a 10-inch skillet, melt 1 Tbsp butter over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic and diced onion until fragrant and translucent (about 2-3 minutes). Add the diced jalapeños and cook for another 2 minutes until slightly softened. Stir in the softened cream cheese and heavy cream until completely smooth and thickened (about 5 minutes), then season with salt and pepper to taste. (If the sauce looks too thick, splash in 1-2 Tbsp of milk or broth until it reaches your desired consistency).
Combine Ingredients: Gently fold the prepped spinach into the cream sauce until evenly coated and warm throughout (about 1 minute). For an extra cheesy dish, stir in 0.25 cup (25g) of shredded cheese here, melting nicely into the mixture.
Assemble Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange the savory madeleines in a single layer at the bottom. Spoon the spinach and cream mixture evenly over the madeleines, spreading it right to the edges.
Bake Until Golden: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the spinach mixture. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, and the edges show a slight crispness.

Notes

For a milder version, remove all seeds and membranes from jalapeños, or swap for roasted poblano peppers. Don’t overcook fresh spinach to avoid wateriness. Ensure cream sauce is smooth before folding in spinach to avoid lumps.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 150 g)
Calories: 350 calories
Sugar: 7 g
Sodium: 450 mg
Fat: 25 g
Saturated Fat: 14 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 28 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 12 g
Cholesterol: 65 mg

Keywords: spinach madeleine, jalapeño cream, green, side dish, comforting, cheesy, quick, easy, family-friendly, baked