Copycat Calhoun's Spinach Maria Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

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Chopped, sauteed greens mixed with a roux and three types of cheeses may be the furthest spinach has ever strayed from a salad bowl.

Copycat Calhoun's Spinach Maria Recipe | CDKitchen.com (1)


serves/makes:

ready in:

30-60 minutes

5 reviews


ingredients

5 packages (10 ounce size) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
4 1/2 cups milk
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 medium yellow onion, finely diced
5 tablespoons melted butter
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
8 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed
8 ounces Cheddar cheese, cubed
4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, cubed
1 1/2 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese

directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x11-inch baking dish.

Combine the milk, dry mustard, garlic, crushed red pepper, and onion in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring the milk to a simmer and let cook while you prepare the roux.

Combine the melted butter and flour in a saucepan over low heat. Mix well and cook, stirring constantly, for 3-4 minutes or until it forms a paste.

Add the roux to the simmering milk and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens.

Add the cubed cheeses to the sauce. Cook, stirring constantly, until the cheese has melted. Remove the pan from the heat and let stand for 10 minutes. Add the spinach and mix well.

Transfer the spinach mixture to the baking dish. Top the spinach with the grated cheese. Place the spinach in the oven and bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until bubbly. Serve the spinach Maria hot.

Recipe Source: Calhoun's Restaurant, Knoxville, TN

common recipe questions


Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?

Yes, you can use fresh spinach. Cook it down and drain any excess liquid before using.

Is it necessary to use three types of cheese?

The three types of cheese add the right combo of flavors, but you can adjust types and quantities according to preference.

How do I know when the roux is ready?

The roux is ready when it becomes a smooth paste and has a slightly cooked, nutty aroma.

Can I add other vegetables to this dish?

You can add sauteed mushrooms, bell peppers, or artichokes.

How should I store leftover spinach Maria?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, assemble the dish ahead and refrigerate. Then bake just before serving.

Is there a substitute for Velveeta cheese?

You can use American cheese or additional Cheddar for a similar texture.

Can I use low-fat cheese for this recipe?

Low fat cheese doesn't melt as smoothly so it may be gritty or stringy. You can reduce the fat by using a portion of the cheese called for with a low fat version, but we don't recommend using all low or non-fat.

Can I freeze Spinach Maria?

It's best fresh, but you can freeze it. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating. The cheese sauce may separate a bit.


nutrition data

411 calories, 30 grams fat, 17 grams carbohydrates, 23 grams protein per serving. This recipe is low in carbs.



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EGUSI SPINACH

STIR FRIED SPINACH

SPINACH SOUFFLE

BOSTON MARKET CREAMED SPINACH

SAG ALOO (CURRIED SPINACH AND POTATOES)

SPANAKOPITA (GREEK SPINACH PIE)


reviews & comments

  1. shout1974 REVIEW:
    January 6, 2017

    Haven't had Calhoun's version but this spinach dish is to die for!

  2. Joan REVIEW:
    December 1, 2015

    I got the spinach maria at Calhoun's several years ago and I couldn't wait to get back there and get it again. I just got back and of course I had spinach maria. I really love this.

  3. Karen, Iowa City REVIEW:
    August 5, 2013

    I make spinach Maria all the time. It's one of my favorite spinach dishes. It's very rich but it is a great dish and I get requests for it all the time.

  4. Guest Foodie REVIEW:
    May 28, 2007

    Our family visited Calhoun, and many other restaraunts in the Pigeon Forge area over several days. My brother and I both got this side dish, and we think it is the best thing we had during our vacation.

  5. Lady Vol REVIEW:
    April 11, 2007

    Since the 1980s our UT family has enjoyed Calhoun's and Spinach Maria. My husband and I rave about it!

Please note:
This is a copy cat recipe submitted to CDKitchen by a third-party. This recipe is not an original recipe unless specifically stated and is considered only to be an acceptable "clone" to the original for the home cook to attempt to duplicate. Please also note that many nationwide restaurant chains vary their menus and ingredients by region so the version provided may not be similar to what you may have tried before. All trademarks referenced are property of their respective owners.

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Copycat Calhoun's Spinach Maria Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

FAQs

How many carbs are in Calhoun's spinach Maria? ›

Calories in Calhoun's Knoxville Tennessee Spinach Maria
Calories349.7
Total Carbohydrate12.2 g
Dietary Fiber1.0 g
Sugars6.8 g
Protein17.0 g
8 more rows

Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh? ›

You might not want to use frozen spinach in dishes that rely on the texture of fresh spinach, such as spinach salads, but you can use it in place of fresh spinach in dishes like soups and baked goods.

Is spinach a healthy carb? ›

Most of the carbohydrates in spinach are from fiber, making it a very filling vegetable. Along with other leafy greens, it may be considered a "free" food on a low-carbohydrate diet because it provides fiber while being low in calories.

How many net carbs are in 2 cups of spinach? ›

Spinach, raw (2 cup) contains 2.2g total carbs, 0.8g net carbs, 0.2g fat, 1.7g protein, and 14 calories.

How much frozen spinach equals 1 cup of fresh spinach? ›

Frozen spinach is mechanically chopped, boiled or blanched, and then flash frozen. A single ten ounce package of frozen spinach usually equals one cup of greens once it's thawed and drained. To get that same cup with fresh spinach, you'd have to cook down about a full pound.

How many cups of fresh spinach equals 10 oz frozen? ›

One package (10 ounces) of frozen spinach leaves yields about 1-1/2 cups after cooking. Therefore, you can substitute 1 package (10 ounces) frozen spinach leaves for 1-1/2 pounds of fresh spinach.

Should frozen spinach be thawed before cooking? ›

In the case of soup, no. A little extra water never hurt a broth. But when it comes to pretty much everything else—be it eggs, quesadillas, or skillet pizza—moisture is the enemy, so you're going to want to let the spinach thaw.

How many carbs are in spinach maria? ›

Country Buffet
Nutrition Facts
How many carbs are in Spinach Marie? Amount of carbs in Spinach Marie: Carbohydrates 8g-
How many net carbs are in Spinach Marie? Amount of net carbs in Spinach Marie: Net carbs 7g-
How much fiber is in Spinach Marie? Amount of fiber in Spinach Marie: Fiber 1g4%
16 more rows

Are spinach noodles high in carbs? ›

Macro Vegetarian Spinach Noodle (1 serving) contains 50g total carbs, 47g net carbs, 5g fat, 10g protein, and 280 calories.

Does spinach pasta have carbs? ›

Cooked Spinach Spaghetti Without Salt (1 cup) contains 36.6g total carbs, 36.6g net carbs, 0.9g fat, 6.4g protein, and 182 calories.

How many carbs in a 12 inch spinach wrap? ›

Amount/Serving%DV*Amount/Serving
Total Fat 9g14%Tot. Carb. 51g
Sat. Fat 3.5g18%Dietary Fiber 2g
Trans Fat 0gSugars 2g
Cholesterol 0mg0%Protein 7g
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