Creamed Spinach Recipe (2024)

Easily made with frozen spinach, smooth cream cheese, flavorful spices and a blend of decadent cheeses, this Creamed Spinach recipe is pure comfort food! It is an irresistible side dish that serves as the perfect accompaniment to any weeknight or holiday dinner!

Growing up, I always had the impression that special occasions called for steak. Whether it was a birthday or anniversary there always seemed to be a juicy, tender steak to celebrate the occasion. Steakhouses were rarely visited but my father’s grill was always hot and ready. He’d grill whatever cut was on sale that weekend while he hummed. Such a lovely memory.

Our steaks were always served with a table full of sides: sweet potato biscuits, glazed carrots, homemade rolls and creamed spinach. Those steak dinners were filled with laughter, love and more delicious food than imaginable.

Creamed Spinach is, and has always been, my absolute favorite side dish. It’s creamy, decadent, cheesy and maybe, even a little healthy? Regardless, I couldn’t imagine a steak dinner without it. So I’m declaring today a celebration! What do you say we get these greens goin’?

The Heart and Soul of the Best Creamed Spinach Recipe

Cuisine Inspiration: American Comfort

Primary Cooking Method: Sautéing & Simmering

Dietary Info: Vegetarian, Gluten-free (check ingredients for confirmation)

Key Flavor: Creamy & Savory

Skill Level: Easy Peasy

Sweet Highlights:

Creamy Goodness: This dish transforms humble greens into a luxurious side with a velvety embrace of cream.

Versatile Side: From steaks to holiday dinners, it’s your go-to accompaniment.

Nutrient-Packed: Spinach brings the iron, vitamins, and fiber; you won’t even notice you’re eating healthy!

Quick Fix: Got 30 minutes? That’s all you need for this crowd-pleaser.

Kid-Friendly: “Eat your greens” turns into “More, please!” with this recipe.

What is Creamed Spinach?

I’m sure that plenty of folks have seen a bowl of creamed spinach on the table and thought “what the heck is that?”. You might think it’s just a bunch of spinach and heavy cream thrown together but, it’s much better than that.

A Creamed Spinach recipe is a mixture of wilted spinach, sauteed onion and garlic and parmesan cheese that’s been swirled into a silky white sauce. The result of this recipe is a cheesy, green-filled concoction that proves to be more delicious than you thought possible.

Ingredients

Creamed Spinach is a simple, easy-to-make dish that comes together quickly and with minimal fuss. From start to finish, this dish only takes about 20 minutes! This means more time for dinner rolls and basting roast chickens.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Frozen Spinach

Vegetables are frozen at their peak freshness which, not only means that it’s healthier but also means it tastes better. Using frozen spinach shortens cooking time and makes for a cheaper dish.

Half & Half

Half & Half is made by combining equal parts cream and whole milk; it’s thinner and lower in fat than heavy cream. Adding half & half layers in sweetness and a creamy texture without over-thickening the sauce.

Cream Cheese

Cream cheese is sweet, tangy and satisfyingly thick. Its addition makes for a smooth sauce filled with flavor.

Nutmeg

I like to create balance in all of my recipes; this means layering flavor and creating dimension. Nutmeg is slightly sweet but mostly very warm. Just a pinch goes a long way in making this dish phenomenal.

Parmesan & Italian Blend Cheese

A lot of recipes will only call for parmesan but, who doesn’t want more cheese? Italian blends consist of parmigiano-reggiano, pecorino-romano, mozzarella and sometimes, provolone. I find that using an Italian blend balances out the saltiness from the parmesan (and creates that cheesy-pull).

How to Make Creamed Spinach

• Prep Spinach: Ensure your thawed spinach is super dry by squeezing out excess water with paper towels.
• Start the Base: Melt butter in a pan, medium heat. Sauté onion until tender (3-4 mins), add garlic (30 secs).
• Build Thickness: Mix in flour to form a paste (1 min).
• Cream It Up: Gradually whisk in half-and-half. Stir in flavor powders (onion, garlic, Italian seasoning), nutmeg, and cayenne.
• Cheese, Please: Blend in cream cheese, parmesan, and Italian cheese until smooth.
• Spinach Time: Fold in the spinach, season with salt and pepper. Stir until well-incorporated and heated through (3-4 mins).
• Taste and Serve: Do a final taste check, adjust seasoning, and get ready to wow your taste buds!

How to Serve

Give me a spoon and a bowl full of this Creamed Spinach and I’ve got dinner. Seriously, I could finish the whole thing. But, if I feel like serving up variety I like to keep it classic.

Creamed Spinach serves as the perfect accompaniment to a simple steak or a roast chicken. I love to throw in some roasted potatoes for good measure.

BONUS TIP: Don’t be afraid to get creative! Creamed spinach can also be stuffed in pasta shells, added to a funky grilled cheese or used as a chicken breast filling.

Storage and Reheating

To store, place cooled creamed spinach in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, gently warm it in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of milk if needed to maintain creaminess.

Avoid microwaving to prevent separation and keep that delightful texture intact!

Best Vegetable Side Dishes

Sides are what make a good meal great! This week, take a little time to serve up your dinner with a couple extras. You won’t regret it.

• Southern Mustard Greens
• Candied Sweet Potatoes
• Southern Succotash
• Creamed Corn
• Spinach Gratin
• Green Bean Casserole
• Collard Greens
• Braised Cabbage