This savory baked side dish is so creamy and cheesy!  Your family will beg for this spinach artichoke matzo kugel at every Passover seder.

Spinach Artichoke Kugel | Baking a Moment

Hey guys!  How was your weekend?  It sure was pretty here in the Philly area.  Warm, bright and breezy!

Things started off with a bang, but sadly, the weekend ended on a low note when I came down with (yet another) bug and spent a day and a half sweating out a fever.  I thought the arrival of spring would mean an end to battling illnesses, but evidently not so.  🙁

So, for today’s recipe, I’m re-posting an old favorite.  Hopefully you’ll forgive me when you see how yummy it is!  Seriously, so good.  So good you’ll forget you’re eating matzo.

There is so much history and theology surrounding Passover, from plagues and persecution to sacrificial lambs and hopes for the return of a long-lost prophet.  Truthfully, I’m nothing but a lowly shikse, who has had the pleasure of a bird’s eye view into her in-laws’ longstanding traditions, so I am not even going to attempt to give a true explanation, for fear that it would be woefully inadequate.

From what I have seen over the last ten years of being a part of a wonderfully close-knit and loving family, is that this holiday/week-long observance of faith, history, and devotion to God seems to be one of the most important events on the Jewish calendar.  And, from a food-nerd’s perspective, it mainly seems to be focused around NOT eating any leavened bread, and in particular, eating LOTS of matzo.

When I first started participating in my husband’s family’s Seder dinners, I didn’t quite get the second part of that.  I was all, “How come you don’t just have an omelette for breakfast, instead of subbing matzo for a bagel?  Why not just eat a salad for lunch, instead of pb&j on matzo?  Can’t you just eat potatoes with your dinner, instead of replacing noodles with matzo kugel?”  And, I’m sorry if this offends, but a cake made with matzo meal is just not the same…

I don’t know if anyone out there will disagree, but to me and my hubs, matzo just doesn’t hold a candle to actual bread products.  And I think that right there, is the main thing about Passover.  Giving up those deliciously satisfying bagels and cakes and cookies for an entire week, and subsisting on dry, flavorless crackers, is an act of devotion to God, and of respect to one’s ancestors. I have a lot of respect for that. I cannot, however, show up at a family dinner bearing a dish that is not delicious.  I’m sorry, I’m just not wired like that.

Spinach Artichoke Kugel | Baking a Moment

Like I had said, matzoh is extremely dry and has very little flavor.  Imagine a saltine without the salt.  It takes a lot to make it palatable enough that you’d want to eat a big ol’ hunk of it in casserole form.

Spinach Artichoke Matzo Kugel for Passover Spinach and Artichoke Matzo Kugel

I like to rely on copious amounts of veg and dairy products.

Spinach and Artichoke Matzo Kugel

I don’t know anyone that doesn’t drool over hot spinach and artichoke dip, so this kugel is made in it’s image…

Spinach and Artichoke Matzo Kugel for Passover

If you are bringing it to your Bubbe-in-law’s seder, it can be made ahead!  Just ask if you can warm it in her oven when you get to her house.

Spinach and Artichoke Matzo Kugel for Passover

You will only need a little square of this side dish, because it is sooo super satisfying and filling…

Spinach and Artichoke Matzo Kugel for Passover

…and so creamy-cheesy-delish you will forget that you are giving anything up!

Hope you are all healthy and happy, and that your week is off to a terrific start.  I’ll see you again later in the week, with an Easter treat!

Spinach and Artichoke Matzo Kugel for Passover

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3.80 stars (45 ratings)

Spinach Artichoke Kugel

Servings: 18
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Soaking Time:: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
This savory baked side dish is so creamy and cheesy! Your family will beg for this spinach artichoke matzo kugel at every Passover Seder.

Ingredients

  • 5 matzos,, broken into pieces
  • 1 1/2 cups (354.88 ml) half & half
  • 8 ounces (226.8 g) cream cheese,, softened
  • 8 ounces (226.8 g) sour cream
  • 1 cup (113 g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 egg, (large)
  • 10 ounces (283.5 g) thawed frozen chopped spinach,, drained and squeezed of excess liquid
  • 10 ounces (283.5 g) thawed frozen artichoke hearts
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) freshly grated parmesan
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, and mist a 9x13" oven-safe baking dish with non-stick spray.
  • Soak the matzo in half & half for about an hour, or until most of the liquid is absorbed and the matzos have softened.
  • In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, cheese, and egg.
  • Fold in the spinach and artichokes, and season with salt, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper.
  • Add in the softened matzo, discarding any excess liquid, and stir to combine.
  • Pour into the prepared dish, and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden around the edges and nearly set in the middle.
  • Top with freshly grated parmesan.
Calories: 176kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 46mg, Sodium: 357mg, Potassium: 179mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 2299IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 149mg, Iron: 1mg
Cuisine: American
Course: Brunch, Side Dish
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