Description
A rich and flavorful sautéed dish combining caramelized onions, tender mushrooms, and fresh spinach in a creamy Parmesan sauce. Perfect as a side or a vegetarian main, this recipe balances sweetness, earthiness, and creaminess with simple ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
Caramelized Onions
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 large yellow onions, sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (divided)
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Mushrooms and Spinach
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 10 oz button mushrooms, sliced
- 6 oz fresh spinach
- Pinch of salt
Creamy Sauce
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (divided: 2/3 cup + additional as needed)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring constantly, for about 10 minutes until they begin to brown without burning.
- Continue Cooking Onions: Reduce the heat to medium and keep cooking the onions for another 10 minutes, stirring frequently, and then add a pinch of salt. Continue to cook on medium or low heat, stirring occasionally, for an additional 10 minutes to deepen the caramelization without burning. Total cooking time for onions should be about 30 minutes.
- Deglaze with Balsamic Vinegar: Remove the skillet from heat, sprinkle the onions with 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, and stir with a spatula to scrape up the browned bits from the pan. Set the caramelized onions aside on a plate.
- Cook Mushrooms: In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms with a pinch of salt and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and cooked through.
- Add Spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the mushrooms, stirring gently on low heat until the spinach wilts.
- Create Creamy Sauce: Pour in the half-and-half and bring the mixture to a quick boil. Immediately reduce heat to simmer.
- Add Cheese and Season: Stir in 2/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Keep stirring while the sauce simmers until the cheese is melted and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the reserved caramelized onions back into the skillet, stirring them into the creamy mushroom and spinach sauce.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, thin it with a little more half-and-half. If it is too thin, add more Parmesan cheese gradually while stirring and simmer until the desired consistency is reached.
Notes
- Be patient when caramelizing onions to develop deep flavor without burning.
- Use fresh spinach for best results; frozen spinach will add too much moisture.
- Adjust salt to taste after combining all ingredients.
- This dish pairs well with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
- For a vegan version, substitute half-and-half and Parmesan with plant-based alternatives.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: sauteed spinach, caramelized onions, mushrooms, creamy sauce, vegetarian side dish
