Preparing Florentine Potatoes

Here’s a really nice Florentine Potatoes recipe, complete with equipment, preparation and cooking times, and nutritional information. This dish combines creamy mashed potatoes, spinach, and cheese in a comforting baked casserole. If its seasonal, then the potatoes and spinach should start to be available in the garden around now. The best time for both is from September onwards. I prefer to replace the spinach with chard from October onwards.

Florentine Potatoes

Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Course: Side dish or main (vegetarian)
Servings: 4

Time & Details

• Prep Time: 20 minutes

• Cook Time: 30 minutes

• Total Time: 50 minutes

Equipment Needed

• Large pot (for boiling potatoes)

• Large skillet or sauté pan

• Potato masher or hand mixer

• Strainer

• Casserole dish (approx. 8×8 inch)

• Mixing bowls

• Oven

• Whisk

• Wooden spoon or spatula

Ingredients

• 2 lbs (900 g) potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet), peeled and chopped

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter

• 1/2 cup milk (or cream, for richness)

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)

• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter (for sautéing)

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 8 oz (225 g) fresh spinach (or 1 package frozen spinach, thawed and drained)

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or Gruyère cheese

• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (optional topping)

Preparation

Step 1: Boil Potatoes

1. Place potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold salted water.

2. Bring to a boil and cook until tender (12–15 minutes).

3. Drain and mash with butter, milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

Step 2: Prepare Spinach Mixture

1. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.

2. Add onion and sauté until soft (3–5 minutes).

3. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.

4. Add spinach and sauté until wilted (if using fresh) or heated through (if using frozen). Season with salt and pepper.

Step 3: Assemble

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. In a bowl, combine mashed potatoes with spinach mixture and half the Parmesan and mozzarella.

3. Transfer to greased casserole dish.

4. Top with remaining cheese and optional breadcrumbs.

Step 4: Bake

1. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until golden and bubbly on top.

2. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

(Approximate values based on 4 servings)

• Calories: 360 kcal

• Protein: 11 g

• Carbohydrates: 40 g

• Fat: 18 g

• Saturated Fat: 9 g

• Fiber: 4 g

• Sodium: 400 mg

• Calcium: 200 mg

• Iron: 2.5 mg

Optional Add-ins or Variations

• Add 1/4 tsp chili flakes for heat

• Substitute kale or Swiss chard for spinach

• Add chopped cooked bacon or ham for a non-vegetarian version

• Use mashed sweet potatoes for a twist