Kale Madeline

A take on the ever-popular Spinach Madeline, Kale Madeline is heartier than the dish that inspired it. Fresh kale is cooked and tossed with onion, seasonings and cheese before baking into a casserole. This dish makes for a fantastic Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish.

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 30

Total Time 1

Servings servings

Calories 225kcal

Ingredients

12 oz. frozen kale cooked and drained with liquid reserved
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 small onion finely diced (about ¼ cup)
½ cup milk
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup reserved kale liquid
½ teaspoon celery salt
3/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese divided (140g)
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Cook the frozen kale in the microwave in a microwave-safe dish. When cooked through, let cool and then drain in a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and save the liquid.
In a skillet, melt the butter and add the flour, forming a blonde roux.
Add the onion, cooking until translucent and coated in the roux.
Pour in the milk, Worcestershire and the reserved kale liquid. Season with the celery salt, as well as freshly ground black pepper and salt.
Simmer until the sauce has thickened substantially, then add in the kale and ¾ cup of the cheese, stirring until combined.
Pour into a greased baking dish, top with the remaining ¼ cup of cheese, and transfer to the oven.
Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese on top is brown and bubbly.
Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

This recipe was updated in 2022 to use frozen kale instead of fresh. If you'd still like to use fresh kale, use the same amount as the frozen and blanch in a pot of salted water until cooked. Drain like you would above and then follow the recipe.

This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd.

How to store: Transfer leftovers to an airtight food storage container after they have cooled completely. Refrigerate for up to a week.

How to reheat: Reheat portions in the microwave until warm.

Nutrition