Calhoun's Knoxville Tennessee Spinach Maria

Total Time: 45 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 5 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach
• 4 1/2 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 5 tablespoons melted butter
• 6 tablespoons flour
• 8 ounces velveeta cheese (cubed)
• 8 ounces cheddar cheese (cubed)
• 4 ounces monterey jack cheese (cubed)
• 1 1/2 cups grated monterey jack cheese, for topping

Recipe

• 1 thaw spinach.
• 2 squeeze as much excess water as possible from spinach.
• 3 heat milk and spices in a 4 qt.
• 4 saucepan on medium heat to just below a boil.
• 5 reduce and simmer.
• 6 saute chopped onion in 1 tbsp butter on medium heat for 5-8 minutes.
• 7 add onion to saucepan.
• 8 combine the 5 tbsp melted butter with the flour in a small saucepan.
• 9 mix until completely blended.
• 10 cook on low heat 2-3 minutes.
• 11 add to milk in saucepan and mix.
• 12 continue to cook until sauce thickens.
• 13 cut cheeses into small cubes and add to saucepan.
• 14 continue to mix until all the cheese is completely melted and blended into the sauce.
• 15 be careful not to burn the sauce while cheese is melting.
• 16 remove from heat.
• 17 allow to cool for 15 minutes.
• 18 add drained spinach to cheese sauce and mix till completely blended.
• 19 spoon into a 11x9x2 or large casserole and top with grated monterey jack cheese.
• 20 bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
• 21 this can be served as a side dish or as an appetizer with tortilla chips.