First, preheat the oven to 450F. Next, you'll add the olive oil, minced garlic, and spinach to a large saute pan. On medium-high heat, saute the spinach just until wilted (about 5 minutes) stirring constantly. TIP: To prevent a runny casserole, drain off (or pat with a paper towel) any liquid that may have occurred due to the saute method.
Remove the pan from heat and add cheese, cream, pepper, and salt. Stir. Taste for flavor and add more salt and pepper if desired.
Pour the mixture into a 1.5 quart baking dish and sprinkle the panko breadcrumbs on top. Bake uncovered for 10 minutes or until bubbly. If desired, turn on the broiler to further brown the breadcrumbs - but only for a minute or two! Just be careful not to overcook the casserole.
Notes
Substitute frozen chopped spinach for the fresh spinach. Just be sure to defrost the spinach first and squeeze out all the excess moisture before you begin making the recipe.Make Ahead Instructions:Assemble recipe except for the breadcrumbs. Bake then let cool completely. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When ready to bake, uncover and top with breadcrumbs. Bake as directed. Storing Leftovers:Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Use an airtight container for best results.Nutrition analyzed by happyforks.com. Different brands may yield slightly different data.