Indulge in the delectable flavors of creamed spinach, a classic comfort food dish that combines the earthy goodness of spinach with a creamy, flavorful sauce. This versatile side dish complements a variety of main courses, from grilled meats to roasted chicken. Whether you prefer a traditional creamy spinach recipe or a healthier version with Greek yogurt or almond milk, this article offers a collection of recipes that cater to your preferences. Learn how to make creamed spinach from scratch using fresh spinach or frozen spinach, and discover variations that incorporate ingredients like mushrooms, cheese, or even bacon. With step-by-step instructions and helpful tips, these recipes will guide you in creating a delicious and satisfying creamed spinach dish that will impress your family and friends.
Here are our top 20 tried and tested recipes!
EASY CREAMED SPINACH
Our take on the classic creamed spinach side dish uses fresh spinach and cream cheese as a thickener. It's a crowd pleasing recipe that's popular with both young and old.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Healthy Recipes Gluten-Free Recipes
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spinach, and cook just until wilted, about 1 minute. Drain in a colander; rinse with cold water until cool. Squeeze spinach to remove as much liquid as possible; coarsely chop, and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, heat butter over medium. Add onion and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion softens, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add cream cheese and milk; cook, stirring, until cream cheese is melted and smooth. Stir in spinach. Simmer over medium heat until mixture thickens, 8 to 10 minutes. Add nutmeg; season with salt and pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 225 g, Fat 17 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 9 g
FAST AND EASY CREAMED SPINACH
This is a little easier, a little quicker, a little more contemporary, and believe it or not, a little lighter than traditional creamed spinach. Have all your ingredients ready to go ahead of time. It's a classic steak side dish.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Greens
Time 35m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Pour olive oil into a large soup pot, place over high heat, add spinach, and cover. Cook for 1 minute, uncover, and lightly stir until most of the leaves are bright green and wilted, about 2 minutes. Quickly drain spinach in a strainer and transfer to a plate lined with 4 or 5 paper towels. Once cool enough to handle, squeeze as much liquid from the spinach as possible. Transfer spinach to a cutting board and coarsely chop.
- Mix salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and nutmeg in a small bowl.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter in skillet, and stir shallot in the hot butter until just barely golden and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir seasoning mixture into shallot mixture and pour in cream. Raise heat to medium-high and reduce cream sauce to about half, about 5 minutes. Stir in lemon zest.
- Reduce heat to low and toss spinach with cream sauce in skillet. Cook and stir until spinach is heated through and coated, about 2 minutes. Stir Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese into spinach until thoroughly combined; serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 178.9 calories, Carbohydrate 7.1 g, Cholesterol 47 mg, Fat 15.6 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 5.7 g, SaturatedFat 8.7 g, Sodium 173.4 mg, Sugar 0.8 g
CREAMED SPINACH
Creamed spinach, made with the frozen chopped variety, perfectly complements the roast, and it can be made up to two days ahead.
Provided by USA WEEKEND columnist Jean Carper
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Greens
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Combine milk, spinach liquid and garlic in a 1-quart microwave-safe measuring cup or small bowl covered with a saucer, and microwave (or heat slowly in a medium saucepan) until very hot and steamy. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes to soften garlic.
- Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Whisk in flour. Add hot milk mixture all at once, then whisk until smooth. Stir in spinach; cook until sauce is thick and bubbly and spinach is tender but still green, about 5 minutes. Stir in cheese, nutmeg, and a generous sprinkling of salt and pepper. Serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 130.1 calories, Carbohydrate 11.2 g, Cholesterol 16.6 mg, Fat 6.7 g, Fiber 4.3 g, Protein 9 g, SaturatedFat 3.7 g, Sodium 220.7 mg, Sugar 3.1 g
CREAMED SPINACH CASSEROLE
Provided by Trisha Yearwood
Categories side-dish
Time 40m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 6 minutes. Add the heavy cream, nutmeg and cayenne and bring to a simmer. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Mix in the spinach, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan. Add the cream cheese and stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer the mixture to a 1 1/2- to 2-quart baking dish and sprinkle with the panko and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan. Bake until bubbling and light golden on top, about 15 minutes.
ABSOLUTELY THE BEST CREAMED SPINACH
This is smooth baby! Be sure and use a good quality melting cheese for best results. NOTE: 08/19/08, we edited the recipe to a larger spinach-to-sauce ratio.
Provided by 2Bleu
Categories Vegetable
Time 40m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- COOK THE SPINACH (if using fresh spinach): Heat a very large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add all the spinach with the water still clinging to its leaves, you may have to firmly pack it. Cover the pan tightly (weight the lid down, if necessary). Leave the spinach to cook for about 2 minutes, then turn it over so that the wilted leaves are on the top. Cover and repeat the process a few times more, until all spinach is nicely wilted. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature. Drain spinach and reserve the pot that you cooked the spinach inches DO NOT WASH OR WIPE CLEAN.
- If you don't have a salad spinner (OR if using frozen spinach), squeeze the spinach dry with your hands a little at a time, squeezing as much liquid as possible from the leaves. Use paper towels and gently blot the spinach to help it dry. Chop the spinach leaves coarsely and set aside.
- MAKE A ROUX: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour with a wooden spoon, to make a loose paste. Cook for about 1 minute. As soon as it balls up into a paste, exchange the wooden spoon for a wire wisk and in a steady stream, whisk in the warm milk. Stir slowly, until the roux comes to a simmer, about 2 minutes, stirring continuously, until the sauce has thickened.
- Add the cream, salt, and pepper, and stir for 1 minute more. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cheese to melt.
- ONION MIXTURE: In the same skillet where the spinach was cooked, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes or until onions are translucent.
- ASSEMBLY: Add the cooked spinach and the cheese sauce to the pan and stir together over medium heat until well mixed and heated through. Taste for seasoning, and transfer to a heated and covered serving dish.
RUTH'S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE CREAMED SPINACH
Love their steaks, and I love their version of this classic side dish to a thick, juicy steak. Sometimes I cheat and use 2 10 ounce packages of frozen, chopped spinach which I thaw and drain.
Provided by yooper
Categories Vegetable
Time 45m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Melt 4 tablespoons butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add flour and stir until light golden, about 7 minutes.
- Stir in onion, bay leaf and clove.
- Gradually whisk in milk.
- Whisk until mixture boils and thickens, about 10 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer 5 minutes longer, whisking frequently (sauce will be very thick).
- Remove bay leaf and whole clove.
- Cook spinach in large pot of boiling water just until wilted and tender, about 2 minutes.
- Drain.
- Transfer spinach to bowl filled with ice water to cool.
- Drain well.
- Roll up spinach in kitchen towl and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
- Transfer spinach to processor and finely chop.
- Add spinach to warm sauce, simmer over low heat until spinach is heated through, stirring often, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.
CHEESY CREAMED SPINACH
This is a recipe for a delicious and cheesy creamed spinach. It's easy and tastes much better than any store bought or frozen versions. I made it for Thanksgiving and it was great!
Provided by BREN3205
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Greens
Time 30m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add spinach and cook until wilted, stirring constantly. Remove from the skillet and drain in a colander. Try to squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
- Melt the butter in the skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and onions; cook and stir until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the spinach and stir in the heavy cream. Sprinkle in the provolone cheese and stir to melt and coat the spinach. Once the provolone has melted, stir in the Parmesan cheese and continue to cook and stir until thickened. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 243.6 calories, Carbohydrate 5.3 g, Cholesterol 68.2 mg, Fat 21.6 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 9.1 g, SaturatedFat 13.4 g, Sodium 321.9 mg, Sugar 0.7 g
GARLIC CREAMED SPINACH
This creamed spinach side goes with just about anything. Try it with pasta, roasted pork or baked chicken. -Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender, 5-7 minutes. Add spinach and garlic; cook 2 minutes longer. Stir in remaining ingredients; cook until cream cheese is melted.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 279 calories, Fat 24g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 57mg cholesterol, Sodium 579mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 9g protein.
CREAMED FRESH SPINACH
This flavorful no-frills side dish is a great way to incorporate the nutritious leafy greens into a meal. My mom always included creamed spinach or carrots on our holiday menu. -Rosemarie Forcum White Stone, Virginia
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 20m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Place spinach in a Dutch oven over 1 in. of water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cover and steam just until wilted, about 4 minutes. Drain; chop and set aside., Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth. Gradually add cream and milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in the onion, salt and pepper. Fold in spinach; heat through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 191 calories, Fat 18g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 60mg cholesterol, Sodium 101mg sodium, Carbohydrate 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.
CHEESY CREAMED SPINACH CASSEROLE
A spinach recipe you will be proud to offer to others.
Provided by KORY
Categories Side Dish Casseroles Spinach Casserole
Time 35m
Yield 9
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 2 quart casserole dish.
- Drain spinach. In a medium mixing bowl combine spinach, soup mix and sour cream. Spoon into greased casserole dish and top with cheese.
- Bake in preheated oven about 25 minutes, or until heated through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 159.6 calories, Carbohydrate 6.6 g, Cholesterol 29.1 mg, Fat 13.3 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 5.3 g, SaturatedFat 8.1 g, Sodium 388.4 mg, Sugar 0.5 g
CHEESY CREAMED SPINACH CASSEROLE
I found this recipe in our local grocery store's (Hannaford) sale circular. I plan on making this as one of my side dishes on Easter Sunday so posting on Zaar for safe keeping. The only changes I will make with the recipe is in place of the canned spinach, I will be using 2 10 oz. boxes of frozen chopped spinach that I will defrost and squeeze dry. I will probably also double the recipe because we are all spinach lovers here.
Provided by Denise in NH
Categories Vegetable
Time 40m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease or butter a one quart casserole dish.
- In a medium bowl combine spinach, eggs, soup, sour cream, milk and 3/4 cup cheddar cheese; mix well.
- Spoon into casserole dish and top with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.
- Bake 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Remove from oven and top with French Fried Onions.
- Bake an additional 5 minutes and serve.
THREE-CHEESE CREAMED SPINACH
Cream cheese, Parmesan and mozzarella make this dish wonderfully cheesy. Sprinkle it with french-fried onions for a crisp boost of flavor. -Kathy Vazquez, Amarillo, Texas
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 20m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients. Cook and stir over medium heat for 8-10 minutes or until blended and heated through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 415 calories, Fat 35g fat (23g saturated fat), Cholesterol 103mg cholesterol, Sodium 685mg sodium, Carbohydrate 9g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 15g protein.
EASY CREAMED SPINACH
This delicious recipe is a life-saver during the holidays, when time is short. With only three ingredients, it's also easy to double.-Sherri Hoover, Perth Road, Ontario
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Spoon into a greased 1-qt. baking dish. Cover and bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 276 calories, Fat 20g fat (14g saturated fat), Cholesterol 80mg cholesterol, Sodium 730mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 7g protein.
CREAMED SPINACH AND MUSHROOMS
When my family was snowed in one time, we had to make do with what we had on hand, so I was able to put this recipe together. I find that it is very versatile and takes only 10 minutes to make from start to finish.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 10m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a small skillet, saute mushrooms in oil and butter until tender. Add spinach; cover and cook for 1 minute or until wilted., Stir in the cream cheese, salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 266 calories, Fat 24g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 33mg cholesterol, Sodium 551mg sodium, Carbohydrate 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 8g protein.
CREAMED SPINACH
Categories Milk/Cream Dairy Leafy Green Onion Side Christmas Vegetarian Quick & Easy Spinach Gourmet Sugar Conscious Pescatarian Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Makes 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Cook spinach in 2 batches in 1 inch of boiling salted water in an 8-quart pot, stirring constantly, until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold running water until cool. Squeeze small handfuls of spinach to remove as much moisture as possible, then coarsely chop.
- Heat milk and cream in a small saucepan over moderate heat, stirring, until warm. Meanwhile, cook onion in butter in a 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Whisk in flour and cook roux, whisking, 3 minutes. Add warm milk mixture in a fast stream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps, and simmer, whisking, until thickened, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in nutmeg, spinach, and salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring, until heated through.
CLASSIC CREAMED SPINACH
I can't resist a pat-on-my-back moment here--I rock at making creamed spinach. And I'm sharing this recipe with you because I want you to feel the same kind of confidence. Hidden in this seemingly straightforward recipe are lots of skills and foundational techniques, such as making a roux and a bechamel and sauteing onions. When you master this, you can say you're awesome at cooking--and you're definitely ready to graduate to the next chapter ("The Scary Stuff"!). Plus, this steakhouse classic is a great way to get everyone chowing down on iron-rich spinach.
Provided by Amanda Freitag
Categories side-dish
Time 35m
Yield Makes 8 cups, to serve 8 to 10
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Blanch the spinach. Bring 1 gallon water to a boil in a large pot. Add a pinch of kosher salt. Place the spinach in the boiling water. After 45 seconds (exactly), remove the spinach leaves with a slotted spoon, spider or tongs and drain in a colander. Let cool completely.
- Use your hands to press the spinach against the sides of the colander. When most of the liquid has been released, squeeze handfuls of the spinach to make sure all of the excess water has been removed. Set aside.
- In a wide, high-sided saute pan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. With a wooden spoon, stir the flour into the melted butter to create a roux that will look like wet sand. Cook the roux for 3 minutes, stirring continuously to make sure it doesn't burn and it becomes a "blond" color. Add the milk to the roux, whisking vigorously to make sure that the roux completely dissolves into the milk without lumping.
- Turn down the heat to maintain a low simmer. You're making a bechamel sauce, which is the base for the creamed spinach. Next, whisk in the cream and return the mixture to a simmer. Cook the bechamel until thickened and smooth, about 5 minutes, stirring often. Season the sauce with the salt, pepper and cayenne.
- Preheat a small saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and let heat for about 1 minute. Add the onions and season with a pinch of salt. Cook until the onions soften and become translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook an additional minute or two.
- Add the cooked onion and garlic along with the drained spinach to the bechamel, folding to make sure it's completely coated with sauce. Season with the nutmeg. Cook for 2 minutes, then taste the spinach. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and the nutmeg, and/or more cayenne if desired.
CREAMED SPINACH WITH BACON
Steps:
- Cook 3 slices chopped bacon in a saucepan until crisp. Remove; discard all but 2 tablespoons drippings. Add 1 chopped small onion and 1 minced garlic clove,; cook 3 minutes. Sprinkle in 1 tablespoon flour; cook, stirring, 1 minute. Whisk in 1 1/2 cups milk,; season with salt and nutmeg,. Cook until thickened, 4 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup shredded gruyere,, 1 pound thawed frozen chopped spinach, (squeezed dry) and the bacon. Cook 2 minutes.
SMOTHERED CHICKEN WITH SAUTEED MUSHROOMS & CREAMED SPINACH RECIPE - (4.1/5)
Provided by á-26577
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Sprinkle the garlic powder, seasoned salt, and pepper on both sides of the chicken. Bake for 16 minutes. Meanwhile, make the creamed spinach. Over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet. Add in the onions and saute 2-3 minutes. Add in the spinach and garlic. It will shrink ridiculously. When it's cooked through, stir in the cream cheese and parmesan cheese. Continue cooking and stirring until the cream cheese is melted. Remove from heat. For the mushrooms, melt butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet. Put the mushrooms in and cook until browned all over. Don't season with salt until they are browned or they will never brown. Deglaze the pan with the wine. Add in the garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook until most of the wine is cooked out. Flip the chicken pieces over. Divide the spinach and mushrooms over the top of each breast. Lay two slices of cheese over each piece of chicken. Cook another 12-14 minutes or until cheese is browned and chicken is done.
QUICK CREAMED SPINACH
The inspiration for this creamy side dish came from a local restaurant. I lightened up the original recipe by using fat-free half-and-half and fat-free cream cheese. I goes great with most any entree. -Susan Geddie of Harker Heights, Texas
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 15m
Yield 5 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large nonstick skillet, saute onion and garlic in butter until tender. Stir in flour until blended. Gradually whisk in half-and-half until blended. Bring to a boil over medium-low heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened., Add the cream cheese, salt, nutmeg and pepper, stirring until cream cheese is melted. Stir in spinach and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese; heat through. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 131 calories, Fat 4g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 12mg cholesterol, Sodium 704mg sodium, Carbohydrate 13g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 10g protein.
LAWRYS CREAMED SPINACH
This is supposed to be like the famous Prime Rib Houses creamed spinach. All I know is that it is very tasty.
Provided by Michelle S.
Categories Spinach
Time 25m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a medium skillet, cook bacon until almost crisp.
- Add onion to bacon and cook until onion is tender about 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat.
- Add flour and seasonings; blend well.
- Gradually stir in milk; cook and stir over low heat until thickened.
- Add spinach and mix well.
- If too thick add more milk.
Tips:
- Prep spinach properly: Remove tough stems and wash spinach thoroughly to remove any grit or dirt. Wilting the spinach before use helps reduce its volume and makes it easier to handle.
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh spinach, onion, and garlic yield the best flavor and texture. If using frozen spinach, thaw and squeeze out excess water before using.
- Control the creaminess: Adjust the amount of cream or milk used to achieve your desired consistency. For a richer, creamier sauce, use more cream and less milk. For a lighter sauce, reduce the cream and increase the milk.
- Season to taste: Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add a pinch of salt, pepper, and nutmeg for a classic flavor profile. Experiment with other herbs and spices like garlic powder, onion powder, or chili flakes for a customized taste.
- Serve immediately: Creamed spinach is best enjoyed fresh. Serve it as a side dish to grilled or roasted meats, fish, or poultry, or use it as a filling for pasta or omelets.
Conclusion:
Creamed spinach is a versatile and flavorful dish that can elevate any meal. Its creamy, rich texture and subtle flavors make it a popular side dish for various entrees. With its ease of preparation and customizable seasonings, creamed spinach is a perfect choice for home cooks of all levels. Explore the different variations and techniques provided in this article to create your own delicious version of creamed spinach that will impress your family and friends. Bon appétit!
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