Gently cooked spinach is baked in a bacon and cheese sauce in this great side dish recipe.

• 1/2 pound fresh spinach
• 4 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
• 3/4 cup white sauce
• 5 slices bacon - fried crisp, drained and crumbled into bits
• 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 1 T. butter

Preparation -
Trim any brown discoloration and stems from the spinach. Rinse the spinach thoroughly to remove all grit, then chop or tear it in pieces. Place the torn spinach in a large saucepan with about 2 tablespoons water. Cover and cook, just until the spinach is soft and wilted. Allow the spinach to cool, then squeeze out the excess water. Place the torn spinach in a saucepan. Prepare the white sauce. Stir the shredded cheese into the sauce. Mix the spinach and cheese sauce together. Stir in the bacon bits. Spray a shallow baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Pour the spinach, bacon and cheese sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the top. Dot with butter. Bake in a preheated oven at 350º for about 15 to 18 minutes or until bubbly and the topping is lightly browned. .