Creamed Spinach – The Almond Eater

Made with fresh or frozen spinach in a luxurious cream sauce, this easy Creamed Spinach recipe is ready in just 25 minutes! It’s a rich and creamy side dish to pair with everyday dinners or holiday feasts.

If spinach isn’t typically your thing, this quick and easy Creamed Spinach recipe is here to change that.

Like my crockpot spinach artichoke dip, this side dish begins with a mouthwatering cream sauce made from sautéed aromatics, Italian seasonings, cream cheese, and parmesan that envelops fresh or frozen spinach. After a quick 20-minute cook time, you’re left with a rich and creamy dish you won’t be able to stop talking about. It’s seriously the best way to eat your greens!

One serving will instantly upgrade any meal, whether it’s a busy weeknight dinner or an extravagant holiday feast. 

Recipe features 

• It’s an easy side dish you can make in one skillet using fresh or frozen spinach.
• Not even spinach skeptics can resist the rich and creamy Italian-seasoned sauce!
• Ready in just 25 minutes! Perfect for busy weeknights and holiday hosting.

Ingredients 

Aromatics – Sautéed yellow onion and garlic give the cream sauce a baseline of savory flavors. Shallots work as a milder alternative to yellow onion.

Spinach – I used fresh spinach, but frozen spinach also works and is just as nutritious.
If using fresh spinach, wash it thoroughly to remove any grit. See the Tips and FAQs below if you’re using frozen. 

Cornstarch – It’s mixed with water to create a thickening slurry for the creamed spinach. You can also use arrowroot powder or tapioca starch as a grain-free alternative. 

Cream cheese – The rich and creamy base of the sauce. Full-fat cream cheese is best, but you can substitute reduced-fat cream cheese for a lighter version. 

Italian seasoning – Use a store-bought blend or season the creamed spinach with a mix of dried basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary.

Parmesan cheese – Use freshly grated parmesan instead of pre-grated. It melts better and has a more robust, salty, nutty flavor. 

Instructions

Step 1: Sauté the aromatics. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.

Step 2: Add the spinach. Add the spinach to the skillet in batches, stirring until each batch wilts down before adding more. Keep cooking until all of the spinach is incorporated. While you wait for the leaves to wilt, whisk the cornstarch and water together in a small bowl and set it aside.

Step 3: Make it creamy. Lower the heat and stir in the cream cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Once the cream cheese melts, add the grated parmesan cheese and the cornstarch slurry. Simmer until the consistency thickens slightly.

Step 4: Serve. Transfer your luscious creamed spinach to a serving dish and enjoy while hot! 

Tips and FAQs

• If you prefer a creamier and looser consistency, add a splash of heavy cream or milk after adding the cream cheese.
• Always taste your creamed spinach before serving, and adjust the seasonings if needed. Adding more salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning can make a big difference!

Variations

• Add mushrooms – Cook sliced mushrooms alongside the onion and garlic until they’ve shrunk in size to bring an umami boost to the dish.
• Baked creamed spinach – Transfer the cooked mixture to a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs and additional parmesan cheese, and bake at 375°F until golden and bubbly.

Serving suggestions

This quick and easy creamed spinach recipe is a perfect side dish for everyday dinners and special occasions. Enjoy it alongside pan-seared chicken breast, pork chops, meatloaf, or baked salmon for a simple weeknight meal.   

When it comes to special occasions and holidays, it goes great with short ribs, glazed ham, roasted turkey, and classic Thanksgiving side dishes, like mashed potatoes, stuffing, and green bean casserole.

Why is my creamed spinach watery?

Your creamed spinach could be watery because of the excess moisture in the fresh spinach or if the frozen spinach wasn’t thoroughly drained. Remember to squeeze out as much water as possible after thawing the frozen spinach or cook the fresh spinach in batches to give all of the water in the leaves time to evaporate.

If you do this and the dish is still too watery, simmer it for a few extra minutes after adding the slurry to help thicken the sauce.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Yes, you can make creamed spinach up to 1 day ahead of serving. Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and store it in the fridge overnight. Reheat it the next day in the microwave or a skillet over medium heat until it’s warmed through and creamy again.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store any leftover creamed spinach in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk or water if needed to restore the creamy consistency.

Freezer: You can freeze creamed spinach for up to 2 months. Just be aware that the texture may change slightly upon thawing and reheating. 

More easy holiday side dish recipes 

If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!

Creamed Spinach

Made with fresh or frozen spinach in a luxurious cream sauce, this easy Creamed Spinach recipe is ready in just 25 minutes! It’s a rich and creamy side dish to pair with everyday dinners or holiday feasts.

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Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

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Instructions

• Add butter to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Then add the onion and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes or until the onion is translucent.

• Add in the spinach in batches and saute until wilted. Repeat this process until all the spinach has been added and is wilted. While the spinach is cooking, whisk the cornstarch and water together in a small bowl to create a slurry and set aside.

• Then add in the cream cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the cream cheese has melted, then add the parmesan cheese and cornstarch slurry and simmer the mixture for about 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy!

Notes

*Calories are per serving and are an estimation. 
*If using frozen spinach, be sure to thaw and squeeze out the moisture before adding the spinach to the skillet.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 137kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 403mg | Potassium: 685mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 10965IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 210mg | Iron: 3mg

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