Savory Oatmeal with Egg and Spinach
Rolled oats cooked in vegetable stock with garlic and spinach, topped with a fried egg and a little Parmesan. A savoury breakfast for two in 20 minutes.
Before You Start
Use unsalted stock so that the Parmesan sets the seasoning, and taste before you add anything else.
If the oatmeal stiffens while the eggs cook, loosen it with a splash of hot water.
Poach the eggs instead of frying them if you prefer less fat.
Cooking Savory Oatmeal with Egg and Spinach
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Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and spinach and cook for 1 minute, until the spinach wilts.
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Pour in the stock and bring it to a simmer. Stir in the oats and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often, until thick and creamy.
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While the oats cook, melt the butter in a small frying pan over medium heat and fry the eggs for 2 to 3 minutes, until the whites are set and the yolks are still soft.
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Stir the Parmesan and pepper into the oats. Divide between two bowls, top each with an egg and finish with chilli flakes if you like.
Why It Works
Oatmeal does not have to be sweet. Cooked in stock instead of water or milk, oats become a quick, creamy porridge that takes happily to an egg on top.
The method is short. Garlic and spinach wilt in a little olive oil, the oats and stock go in, and five minutes of simmering gives a thick, savoury base. Parmesan stirred in at the end adds salt and depth, which is why the pot needs no added salt. Fry the egg separately, so the yolk stays runny and spills into the oats when it is cut.
The result is breakfast with protein, fibre and no sugar at all. It also works as a quick supper. Spinach turns from a heap into a spoonful, so do not be shy with it. Crack black pepper over the top, add a pinch of chilli flakes if you like some heat, and eat it while the egg is still hot.
Storage and Reheating
Best eaten straight away. The oatmeal base keeps in the fridge for 2 days; cook the eggs fresh.
Changing the Recipe
- An eighth of a teaspoon of garlic powder per clove is the usual stand-in when you are out of fresh garlic — it will not caramelise the same way, but it carries the flavour.
Good With
- Sliced tomato
- A few slices of avocado
- Hot sauce
Common Questions About Savory Oatmeal with Egg and Spinach
How long does Savory Oatmeal with Egg and Spinach take to make?
About 20 minutes in total — 5 minutes of preparation and 15 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 2.
What are the key tips for making Savory Oatmeal with Egg and Spinach?
Use unsalted stock so that the Parmesan sets the seasoning, and taste before you add anything else. If the oatmeal stiffens while the eggs cook, loosen it with a splash of hot water. Poach the eggs instead of frying them if you prefer less fat.
What should I serve with Savory Oatmeal with Egg and Spinach?
Sliced tomato; A few slices of avocado; Hot sauce.
How should Savory Oatmeal with Egg and Spinach be stored?
Best eaten straight away. The oatmeal base keeps in the fridge for 2 days; cook the eggs fresh.
Is Savory Oatmeal with Egg and Spinach suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian, diabetes-friendly and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Savory Oatmeal with Egg and Spinach?
About 308 kcal per serving, with 18 g protein, 23 g carbohydrate and 16 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Savory Oatmeal with Egg and Spinach Nutrition Facts
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.