Creamy Dreamy Spinach: A Comforting Side Dish You’ll Love

Creamed spinach is a dish that turns ordinary greens into something special.

This side dish takes simple spinach and makes it rich and creamy, perfect for pairing with any main course.

Many people enjoy the smooth texture that comes from mixing tender spinach with a buttery cream sauce.

The recipe uses fresh spinach along with butter, cream, and gentle spices to create a balanced taste.

Spinach offers important vitamins and minerals, while the creamy sauce adds an extra touch of indulgence.

You’ll often find this popular dish served in both restaurants and at family dinners as a tasty way to add more greens to your plate.

Why Creamed Spinach Is Rich And Comforting

• Quick Weeknight Wonder: Creamy, cheesy spinach dish that transforms a simple vegetable into a luxurious side in under 15 minutes.
• Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor: Only requires basic kitchen skills and a few ingredients, making it perfect for home cooks of all experience levels.
• Family-Friendly Nutrition Boost: Sneaks nutrient-packed spinach into a deliciously creamy recipe that even picky eaters will love, turning vegetables into a crowd-pleasing dish.
• Versatile Entertaining Option: Elegant enough for dinner parties yet simple enough for everyday meals, this creamed spinach complements everything from roasted meats to holiday gatherings.

What You Need For Creamed Spinach

• Spinach: Leafy green base of the dish, provides nutrition and texture. Fresh or frozen work well, ensure thorough draining.
• Onion: Adds depth and subtle sweetness to the creamy sauce. Sweet or yellow onions preferred.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic flavor and enhances overall taste profile. Fresh garlic recommended.

• Cream Cheese: Creates rich, smooth base for the sauce. Room temperature helps smooth melting.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious creaminess and helps bind the sauce. High-fat content preferred.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Contributes melty texture and mild cheese flavor. Shredded variety melts easily.
• Parmesan Cheese: Brings sharp, salty notes to the dish. Freshly grated recommended.

• Nutmeg: Provides warm, subtle background flavor. Optional but traditional in cream sauces.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste and balances other ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle heat and complements the creamy elements.

How To Prepare Creamed Spinach In Minutes

Step 1: Prep Green Goodness

• Fresh spinach
• Remove from packaging
• Microwave according to package instructions
• Drain completely using cheesecloth, tea towel, fine mesh sieve, or colander
• Set aside

Step 2: Sizzle Flavor Base

• Butter
• Onion
• Garlic
• Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat
• Add diced onions and cook until translucent
• Toss in minced garlic
• Sauté for 30 seconds until aromatic

Step 3: Create Luxurious Sauce

• Cream cheese
• Heavy cream
• Mozzarella
• Parmesan
• Nutmeg (optional)
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Blend cream cheese until smooth and melted
• Pour in heavy cream
• Simmer for 2 minutes
• Sprinkle in mozzarella and parmesan
• Add nutmeg, salt, and pepper
• Stir until sauce becomes silky and well combined

Step 4: Marry Greens and Cream

• Gently fold drained spinach into creamy mixture
• Cook for additional minute
• Ensure spinach is fully heated and coated
• Serve immediately while warm and luscious

Tips For Creamy And Smooth Creamed Spinach

• Squeeze Moisture Thoroughly: Use a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth to press out every drop of water from spinach, ensuring a thick and creamy texture without excess liquid.
• Select Quality Cheese: Choose fresh, high-quality parmesan and mozzarella for richer flavor and smoother melting in the cream sauce.
• Control Heat Carefully: Maintain medium heat when melting cheese to prevent scorching and achieve a silky, even consistency.
• Customize Seasoning Boldly: Experiment with additional herbs like thyme or rosemary to enhance the spinach's natural taste and add depth to the dish.
• Make It Diet-Friendly: Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter version, and use low-fat cream cheese to reduce overall calories.

How To Store Creamed Spinach The Right Way

• Refrigerate: Store leftover creamed spinach in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled spinach to freezer-safe containers. Seal tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Avoid freezing if using fresh cream cheese.
• Reheat Stovetop: Warm gently in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of cream or milk to restore creamy consistency and prevent scorching.
• Reheat Microwave: Place in microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals. Stir between intervals to distribute heat evenly and maintain smooth texture.

What Matches Creamed Spinach On The Table

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied Pinot Noir or Sangiovese to complement the rich, creamy texture and cut through the spinach's earthy flavors.
• Match with Grilled Proteins: Serve alongside perfectly seared steak, roasted chicken, or grilled salmon to balance the dish's creaminess with lean protein.
• Create Textural Contrast: Add crispy breadcrumbs or toasted pine nuts on top to introduce a delightful crunch against the smooth spinach background.
• Brighten with Fresh Salad: Serve with a light, acidic side salad featuring lemon vinaigrette to refresh the palate and counteract the dish's heaviness.

Ways To Switch Up Creamed Spinach

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace cream cheese, heavy cream, and mozzarella with coconut cream, nutritional yeast, and cashew cream for a vegan-friendly version.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Swap onions for cauliflower rice and use almond milk instead of heavy cream to reduce carbohydrate content.
• Keto-Friendly Spin: Incorporate additional high-fat ingredients like bacon bits or goat cheese to increase fat content and maintain ketogenic macronutrient ratios.
• Mediterranean Herb Blend: Enhance flavor by adding fresh basil, oregano, and sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean-inspired creamed spinach experience.

Creamed Spinach Questions Answered

• Why drain the spinach thoroughly?

Removing excess water prevents the creamed spinach from becoming watery and ensures a thick, creamy texture that clings perfectly to the spinach leaves.

• Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen spinach works great. Just make sure to thaw completely and squeeze out as much moisture as possible before adding to the cream sauce for the best results.

• What if I don't have cream cheese?

You can substitute cream cheese with mascarpone or a combination of sour cream and butter to maintain the creamy consistency and rich flavor of the dish.

• Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, this creamed spinach recipe is vegetarian-friendly. It uses dairy products like butter, cream, and cheeses but contains no meat ingredients.

Silky Creamed Spinach Recipe

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4.9 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Savory Creamed Spinach brings classic steakhouse comfort to home kitchens with rich, velvety goodness. Silky smooth leaves nestle in a creamy sauce, inviting you to savor each luxurious spoonful of this timeless side dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3 10-ounce (280 grams) bags frozen chopped spinach
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half and half)
• 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 6 large garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg (optional)
• Salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare fresh spinach by microwaving according to package instructions, ensuring thorough heating.
2. Create a straining station using cheesecloth, fine mesh sieve, or tea towel to remove excess moisture from cooked spinach, then set aside.
3. Initiate a skillet over medium-high heat and gently melt butter until it transforms into a golden liquid.
4. Introduce finely chopped onions to the bubbling butter, sautéing until they become translucent and softened.
5. Quickly incorporate minced garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the pan for approximately 30 seconds.
6. Incorporate cream cheese into the skillet, stirring continuously until the cheese melts completely and creates a smooth base.
7. Stream heavy cream into the mixture, allowing it to simmer and develop a rich, velvety consistency for about two minutes.
8. Enhance the sauce by adding mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, complemented with a whisper of nutmeg, salt, and freshly ground pepper.
9. Thoroughly blend the seasonings until the cheeses melt and integrate seamlessly into the creamy sauce.
10. Gently fold the previously drained spinach into the luxurious cheese mixture, ensuring even distribution.
11. Warm the spinach for an additional minute, guaranteeing a harmonious blend of flavors and temperatures.

Notes

• Master the moisture removal by thoroughly squeezing spinach, preventing a watery final dish that could dilute the creamy sauce.
• Experiment with alternative cheeses like goat cheese or Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier version that reduces overall calorie content.
• Enhance nutritional value by incorporating additional vegetables like diced mushrooms or roasted garlic for deeper flavor complexity.
• Adapt the recipe for dairy-free diets by substituting cream

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg