Best 6 Light Creamed Spinach Recipes

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Dive into the culinary world of creamed spinach, a delectable side dish that elevates any meal with its creamy, vibrant green goodness. Originating from the kitchens of France, this classic dish has captivated taste buds for generations.

In our comprehensive guide, we present three irresistible variations of creamed spinach, each offering a unique flavor profile that caters to diverse palates. The first recipe introduces a classic creamed spinach, a harmonious blend of fresh spinach, cream, and seasonings, resulting in a velvety smooth texture and rich flavor.

For those seeking a lighter version, we offer a light creamed spinach recipe that utilizes low-fat milk and Greek yogurt, creating a guilt-free indulgence without compromising on taste. Additionally, we have included a vegan creamed spinach recipe that caters to plant-based diets, showcasing the versatility of this versatile dish.

Whether you prefer the classic, light, or vegan creamed spinach, our recipes provide step-by-step instructions, ensuring a seamless cooking experience. Discover the delightful simplicity of creamed spinach and elevate your culinary repertoire with this timeless classic.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BEST HEALTHY CREAMED SPINACH



Best Healthy Creamed Spinach image

Healthy creamed spinach, laced with onion and garlic, is one of the yummiest comfort side dishes ever. Keep it light or make it rich. It's up to you.

Provided by Cheryl

Categories     Side Dish

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 10 oz package chopped frozen spinach ((or 15 cups fresh baby spinach, about 1 1/2 lbs or 16 oz,, roughly chopped))
3 tablespoon butter and oil, any combination ((eg. 2 tbsp butter + 1 tbsp oil))
1/4 cup finely chopped green onions or onion ((about 1/2 medium onion))
1 teaspoon minced garlic - about 1 clove ((or 1/4 tsp garlic powder))
2 tablespoons all purpose flour ((or 1 1/2 tablespoons arrowroot flour for gluten free))
1 1/4 cups milk (fat free, 2% or whole milk)
1/4 cup half and half (10%) cream
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese or more, to taste

Steps:

  • COOK SPINACH: Cook frozen spinach in microwave as per package instructions. I add a teaspoon of water and microwave it, covered, for 3 1/2 minutes on High. Drain in strainer, squeezing out as much moisture as possible. It's ok if a little bit remains. Note 1 for using fresh spinach.
  • MAKE CREAM SAUCE: Heat butter and/or oil on medium heat in a medium saucepan. Add onions and sauté gently for 3 minutes. Add garlic and sauté another 30 seconds. Mix in flour to make a roux. Stir for 2 minutes until it turns pale brown. Don't let it get dark. Add any combination of milk and cream that you like to equal 1 1/2 cups/354 ml. I generally use mostly fat free or 2% milk and about 1/4 cup half and half (10%) cream. Stir until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add salt, black pepper and nutmeg (if using) to your taste.
  • COMBINE: Stir in cooked well-squeezed-out chopped spinach. Add Parmesan cheese if using. If mixture is too thick, add more milk until desired consistency is reached. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve immediately. Note 3 to make ahead.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 150 kcal, Carbohydrate 8 g, Protein 4 g, Fat 12 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 34 mg, Sodium 408 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 4 g, UnsaturatedFat 4 g, ServingSize 1 serving

CREAMED SPINACH - LIGHTENED UP



Creamed Spinach - Lightened Up image

A creamy blend of spinach, shallots, parmesan cheese, and Boursin Light makes a rich and flavorful side dish. A low fat version of a steakhouse favorite.

Provided by Gina

Categories     Side Dish

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tsp butter
1/2 cup shallots (minced)
1 clove garlic (minced)
2 tbsp flour
1 1/2 cups fat free milk
2 tbsp parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp fresh pepper
salt to taste
4.4 oz Boursin Light
16 oz bag frozen chopped spinach (thawed and drained of all moisture)

Steps:

  • In a large saute pan, melt butter. Add shallots and garlic and cook on medium about 5 minutes.
  • Add flour to shallots, mix well and cook one more minute.
  • Reduce heat to low and slowly add milk, whisking well.
  • Add parmesan cheese, nutmeg, salt and pepper and mix well.
  • Add boursin light and mix with until smooth.
  • Add spinach and combine well with sauce, cook one minute, until heated through. Adjust salt and pepper if necessary.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 2 /3 cup, Calories 123 kcal, Carbohydrate 9 g, Protein 6 g, Fat 8 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 22.5 mg, Sodium 175 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 4 g

FAST AND EASY CREAMED SPINACH



Fast and Easy Creamed Spinach image

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

2 teaspoons olive oil
2 (16 ounce) bags fresh spinach
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons minced shallot
¾ cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons finely shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

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

QUICK CREAMED SPINACH



Quick Creamed Spinach image

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

1/4 cup diced onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1-1/4 cups fat-free half-and-half
4 ounces fat-free cream cheese, cubed
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 package (16 ounces) frozen leaf spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon shredded Parmesan cheese, divided

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.

LIGHT CREAMED SPINACH



Light Creamed Spinach image

Make and share this Light Creamed Spinach recipe from Food.com.

Provided by VickiVSN

Categories     Spinach

Time 10m

Yield 1 , 2 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
4 cups raw spinach
1 teaspoon imitation bacon bits
1 tablespoon light sour cream
1 tablespoon light cream cheese
grated fresh nutmeg

Steps:

  • Caramelize onion in heated oil.
  • Add in spinach and bacon bits.
  • As spinach cooks down, add in sour cream and creamed cheese.
  • Grate a little fresh nutmeg.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 80.2, Fat 6, SaturatedFat 2, Cholesterol 7.9, Sodium 81.5, Carbohydrate 4.9, Fiber 1.6, Sugar 1.1, Protein 2.9

LIGHT CREAMED SPINACH



Light Creamed Spinach image

Ok, so I was craving for the Spinach with Lemon Stir Fry in a restaurant one day and despite my friend's attempt at explaining what I wanted. The chef came back with his version of how spinanch should be done. Not too bad so here's the copycat. I was thinking of substituting cream with milk and flour. Wonder if it works as well...

Provided by Cook Food Mood

Categories     Vegetable

Time 5m

Yield 1-2 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

500 g spinach
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon light cream (may increase if preferred)
1 tablespoon cheese, grated (may increase if preferred)
lemon juice (may increase if preferred)
onion, chopped finely (optional)

Steps:

  • Heat oil. Add onions.
  • Add spinach.
  • Add lemon juice and cream when spinanch is cooked, followed by cheese. Stir briskly to mix and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 309.6, Fat 21.8, SaturatedFat 6.1, Cholesterol 18.8, Sodium 535.5, Carbohydrate 19.9, Fiber 11, Sugar 2.1, Protein 17.4

Tips:

  • To save time, use pre-washed and chopped spinach. You can also use frozen spinach, just be sure to thaw it completely before using.
  • If you don't have heavy cream on hand, you can use milk or half-and-half instead. Just be aware that the sauce will be thinner.
  • To make the dish even more flavorful, add a pinch of nutmeg or garlic powder.
  • Serve the creamed spinach immediately with your favorite main course, such as grilled chicken, fish, or pasta.

Conclusion:

Light creamed spinach is a delicious and versatile side dish that can be enjoyed with a variety of meals. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you like it simple or with added flavors, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy side dish, give light creamed spinach a try.

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