Silky-Smooth Creamed Spinach Recipe: A Tastebud’s Dream

Creamy and luxurious, this velvety creamed spinach recipe delivers pure comfort on a plate.

Steakhouse chefs have long treasured this rich side dish for its incredible depth of flavor.

Fresh spinach leaves melt into a decadent sauce that hints at pure indulgence.

Smooth cream and sharp seasonings create a perfect balance of taste and texture.

Each spoonful brings a velvety smoothness that feels like a culinary embrace.

Skeptical about spinach?

This recipe will change your mind forever.

Prepare to fall in love with a vegetable side that feels more like a treat than a healthy option.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 5

Creamy Ingredients For Creamed Spinach

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation and helps sauté aromatics with deep flavor.
• Onion: Builds savory base layer with subtle sweetness and aromatic depth.
• Garlic: Adds intense, sharp flavor that complements spinach and creates robust taste profile.

• Flour: Creates smooth roux and helps thicken sauce without lumps.
• Milk: Provides light, silky texture and gentle dairy base for sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious richness and velvety consistency to the dish.

• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances other ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle heat and subtle spiciness to complement creamy texture.
• Nutmeg: Introduces warm, slightly sweet undertone that elevates spinach flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Contributes sharp, salty notes and creates extra creamy finish.
• Spinach: Fresh or frozen provides nutritious green color and earthy vegetable foundation.

Serving Creamed Spinach On The Side

• Elegant Dinner Partner: Pair this creamy spinach with roasted chicken or grilled steak for a luxurious restaurant-style meal that elevates simple proteins.
• Thanksgiving Showstopper: Bring this dish to holiday gatherings as a sophisticated vegetable side that will impress family and friends with its rich, velvety texture.
• Brunch Brilliance: Serve alongside poached eggs or as a base for eggs Benedict, transforming your weekend breakfast into a gourmet experience with minimal effort.
• Vegetarian Delight: Top with toasted breadcrumbs or crispy fried shallots for added crunch, creating a satisfying vegetarian main course that feels indulgent and complete.

Storing Creamed Spinach Just Right

• Refrigeration Haven: Store leftover creamed spinach in an airtight container, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The dish stays delicious when sealed tightly to prevent moisture loss.
• Reheating Magic: Warm gently in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally to maintain the creamy texture. Add a splash of milk if the sauce appears too thick, restoring its silky consistency.
• Freezing Strategy: Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, understanding the sauce might separate slightly but can be whisked back to smoothness.
• Prep-Ahead Power: Assemble the base sauce a day in advance, storing separately from spinach. When ready to serve, quickly reheat the sauce and fold in fresh spinach for maximum flavor and perfect texture.

Tools For Cooking Creamed Spinach Fast

• Large skillet: Essential for sautéing and cooking the entire dish.
• Whisk: Perfect for smoothly blending milk, cream, and breaking up lumps.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Required for dicing onions and preparing garlic.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Helps ensure accurate ingredient proportions.

Steps To Make Creamed Spinach Smooth

• Kickstart the Flavor Base

Grab a skillet and melt butter over medium heat. Toss in diced onions and let them dance until they turn soft and golden. Quickly introduce minced garlic and let it sizzle for a quick moment.

• Craft the Creamy Foundation

Sprinkle flour into the skillet and stir constantly, creating a smooth paste that will become the secret to your rich sauce. Keep stirring to prevent any burning.

• Build the Silky Sauce

Gently pour in milk and cream, whisking away any stubborn lumps. Let the mixture simmer and thicken, transforming into a luxurious, velvety sauce that coats the back of your spoon.

• Layer in the Seasonings

Awaken the flavors with a dash of salt, a sprinkle of pepper, and a whisper of nutmeg. Stir in Parmesan cheese until it melts into a dreamy, cheesy blend.

• Embrace the Spinach

Fold in fresh spinach, watching it wilt and surrender to the creamy sauce. If using frozen spinach, ensure it’s well-drained and mix thoroughly until everything is beautifully combined.

• Serve and Enjoy

Transfer your luscious creamed spinach to a serving dish and watch as your guests dive in with delight. Perfect alongside roasted meats or as a standalone comfort food.

Tasty Tips To Dress Up Creamed Spinach

• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the creamed spinach a day ahead and reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, stirring occasionally to maintain its creamy texture.
• Lighter Version: Swap heavy cream for half-and-half or whole milk to reduce calories while keeping the dish rich and satisfying.
• Dairy-Free Twist: Use coconut milk or almond milk with a plant-based butter alternative for a lactose-free version that still delivers incredible flavor.
• Spice It Up: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne for a subtle kick that brings extra warmth to the classic creamed spinach.
• Veggie Variety: Experiment by mixing in other leafy greens like Swiss chard or kale for a nutrient-packed side dish with interesting texture and depth.

Velvety Creamed Spinach Recipe

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4.9 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade southern-style creamed spinach delivers a rich, comforting side dish perfect for family dinners. Rich cream and tender spinach create a classic accompaniment that brings warmth to your table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 10 oz (283 g) fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• ½ cup (120 ml) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) butter
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• Pinch of ground nutmeg (optional but classic)

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Instructions

1. Aromatic Foundation: Melt butter in a spacious skillet over medium heat, sautéing diced onions until translucent and softened.
2. Flavor Infusion: Add minced garlic and quickly stir to release its aromatic essence, avoiding any burning.
3. Roux Creation: Sprinkle flour over the aromatics, creating a smooth paste by continuous stirring to eliminate raw flour undertones.
4. Sauce Development: Gradually whisk milk and cream into the mixture, allowing the sauce to simmer and thicken while stirring periodically to prevent lumping.
5. Seasoning Harmony: Elevate the flavor profile with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a delicate whisper of nutmeg, balancing the sauce’s complexity.
6. Cheese Integration: Fold in grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until completely melted and seamlessly incorporated, enriching the creamy base with depth and character.
7. Spinach Transformation: Introduce fresh or thoroughly drained frozen spinach to the sauce, gently folding in handfuls and allowing each batch to wilt and meld with the creamy mixture.
8. Final Refinement: Simmer the creamed spinach for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize and achieve a luxurious, velvety consistency before transferring to a serving dish.

Notes

• Control Butter Browning: Melt butter slowly on medium-low heat to prevent burning and maintain a smooth, rich base for the sauce.
• Prevent Lumpy Sauce: Whisk milk and cream gradually into the flour mixture, stirring constantly to create a silky, lump-free texture that coats the spinach evenly.
• Manage Spinach Moisture: Squeeze excess water from fresh or frozen spinach to avoid diluting the creamy sauce and maintain a thick, luxurious consistency.
• Optimize Flavor Layering: Add Parmesan cheese off the heat to preserve its nutty flavor and prevent potential separation, ensuring a rich and smooth final dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg