Creamed spinach is a classic side dish that is both easy to make and incredibly delicious. It is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of main courses, from roasted chicken to grilled fish. The creamy sauce is made with a roux, which is a mixture of butter and flour, and is flavored with garlic, onion, and nutmeg. The spinach is added to the sauce and cooked until it is wilted and tender. Creamed spinach is often served with a garnish of crispy bacon or croutons, and it can also be used as a filling for omelets or quiche. In this article, we will provide you with the best recipe for creamed spinach, along with some tips and tricks for making it perfect every time.
Here are our top 14 tried and tested recipes!
CREAMED SPINACH
Provided by Tyler Florence
Categories side-dish
Time 30m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Wash the spinach in several changes of water to get rid of any grit. Drain the spinach but keep some of the water clinging to the leaves. Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the spinach and garlic. Cook, turning frequently, until the spinach has wilted down evenly. Remove the garlic and put the spinach into a colander and let it drain well. Press out as much liquid as you can from the leaves and chop them coarsely.
- Heat the skillet again over medium-high heat and add the cream and nutmeg; cook until it reduces a bit, about 5 minutes. Add the spinach and parmesan and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the spinach is hot, about 5 more minutes. Serve immediately.
FAST AND EASY CREAMED SPINACH
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
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
EASY CREAMED SPINACH
Our take on the classic creamed spinach side dish uses fresh spinach and cream cheese as a thickener. It's a crowd pleasing recipe that's popular with both young and old.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Healthy Recipes Gluten-Free Recipes
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spinach, and cook just until wilted, about 1 minute. Drain in a colander; rinse with cold water until cool. Squeeze spinach to remove as much liquid as possible; coarsely chop, and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, heat butter over medium. Add onion and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion softens, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add cream cheese and milk; cook, stirring, until cream cheese is melted and smooth. Stir in spinach. Simmer over medium heat until mixture thickens, 8 to 10 minutes. Add nutmeg; season with salt and pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 225 g, Fat 17 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 9 g
CREAMED SPINACH
Creamed spinach, made with the frozen chopped variety, perfectly complements the roast, and it can be made up to two days ahead.
Provided by USA WEEKEND columnist Jean Carper
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Greens
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Combine milk, spinach liquid and garlic in a 1-quart microwave-safe measuring cup or small bowl covered with a saucer, and microwave (or heat slowly in a medium saucepan) until very hot and steamy. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes to soften garlic.
- Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Whisk in flour. Add hot milk mixture all at once, then whisk until smooth. Stir in spinach; cook until sauce is thick and bubbly and spinach is tender but still green, about 5 minutes. Stir in cheese, nutmeg, and a generous sprinkling of salt and pepper. Serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 130.1 calories, Carbohydrate 11.2 g, Cholesterol 16.6 mg, Fat 6.7 g, Fiber 4.3 g, Protein 9 g, SaturatedFat 3.7 g, Sodium 220.7 mg, Sugar 3.1 g
CREAMED SPINACH
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter an 8 by 8-inch baking dish. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and a pinch of salt. Saute for 3 minutes, then add the garlic and red chili flakes and saute for 2 more minutes. Add the heavy cream, Parmesan, and nutmeg. Heat until the cream is just beginning to bubble, stirring often. Turn the burner off and stir in sour cream and spinach. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the top evenly with fried onions. Bake until golden and bubbly, 15 to 20 minutes.
CREAMED SPINACH III
A little nutmeg makes this creamed spinach recipe my granny's favorite! Use a pinch more nutmeg when serving.
Provided by mscougar
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Greens
Time 40m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, mix heavy cream, butter, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer.
- Place spinach in a vegetable steamer, and steam until leaves are wilted. Drain in a colander, pressing out excess water with a large spoon.
- Coarsely chop spinach in a food processor, and gradually stir into the heavy cream mixture. Briefly return to boiling, then remove from heat.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 181.6 calories, Carbohydrate 5.1 g, Cholesterol 56 mg, Fat 17.3 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 3.9 g, SaturatedFat 10.7 g, Sodium 392.5 mg, Sugar 0.6 g
ABSOLUTELY THE BEST CREAMED SPINACH
This is smooth baby! Be sure and use a good quality melting cheese for best results. NOTE: 08/19/08, we edited the recipe to a larger spinach-to-sauce ratio.
Provided by 2Bleu
Categories Vegetable
Time 40m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- COOK THE SPINACH (if using fresh spinach): Heat a very large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add all the spinach with the water still clinging to its leaves, you may have to firmly pack it. Cover the pan tightly (weight the lid down, if necessary). Leave the spinach to cook for about 2 minutes, then turn it over so that the wilted leaves are on the top. Cover and repeat the process a few times more, until all spinach is nicely wilted. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature. Drain spinach and reserve the pot that you cooked the spinach inches DO NOT WASH OR WIPE CLEAN.
- If you don't have a salad spinner (OR if using frozen spinach), squeeze the spinach dry with your hands a little at a time, squeezing as much liquid as possible from the leaves. Use paper towels and gently blot the spinach to help it dry. Chop the spinach leaves coarsely and set aside.
- MAKE A ROUX: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour with a wooden spoon, to make a loose paste. Cook for about 1 minute. As soon as it balls up into a paste, exchange the wooden spoon for a wire wisk and in a steady stream, whisk in the warm milk. Stir slowly, until the roux comes to a simmer, about 2 minutes, stirring continuously, until the sauce has thickened.
- Add the cream, salt, and pepper, and stir for 1 minute more. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cheese to melt.
- ONION MIXTURE: In the same skillet where the spinach was cooked, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes or until onions are translucent.
- ASSEMBLY: Add the cooked spinach and the cheese sauce to the pan and stir together over medium heat until well mixed and heated through. Taste for seasoning, and transfer to a heated and covered serving dish.
CREAMED SPINACH
What can be better than a side of creamy, nutmeg-infused spinach? Perfect to accompany any roast and especially good at Christmas
Provided by Good Food team
Categories Dinner, Side dish
Time 25m
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat 25g butter in a saucepan, then add 1 finely chopped small onion and cook for 5 mins until softened.
- Stir in 2 tbsp plain flour and cook for 2 mins, then slowly start to whisk in 200ml full-fat milk. When it has all been incorporated, gently cook for 5 mins until the sauce has thickened.
- Meanwhile, place two 200g bags spinach in a large colander. Pour over a kettle full of boiling water until the leaves have wilted (you may have to do this twice).
- Place the spinach in a clean dishcloth, squeeze out any excess liquid, then roughly chop.
- Stir into the sauce with 100ml single cream, gently heat, then finely grate over some fresh nutmeg and season well.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 83 calories, Fat 6 grams fat, SaturatedFat 4 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 5 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 3 grams sugar, Fiber 1 grams fiber, Protein 3 grams protein, Sodium 0.26 milligram of sodium
CREAMED FRESH SPINACH
There are lots of creamed spinach recipes on Zaar, but this one is different in that it uses not only fresh spinach and real cream, but also chicken broth. If you don't care for sweet onions, use regular white onion. Recipe adapted from a version found in the Steak Lover's Coobook.
Provided by HeatherFeather
Categories Spinach
Time 45m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Rinse off spinach well and shake to dry, but there should be some water still on the leaves (this residual water will help steam the spinach).
- Remove any tough stems from the spinach, then place spinach leaves into a large saucepan, cover, and cook over medium heat just until wilted- approximately 4 minutes, checking once halfway through to flip the leaves over to ensure even cooking.
- Have ready a mesh strainer, so that as soon as the spinach leaves have wilted, you can strain them over the sink, while running cold water over them to prevent overcooking.
- Make sure the spinach is cooled down very well from the water, then set aside to drain.
- Mix together onion, spices,salt,chicken broth,and cream in a small pan.
- Bring to a boil (uncovered) over medium heat and let reduce to about 3/4 cup, this will take some time- approximately 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally and adjusting heat as needed to keep from burning.
- Meanwhile, squeeze the spinach dry using your hands- get out all the excess liquid you can.
- Chop spinach coarsely and then add to the reduced cream mixture.
- Taste and season to taste.
- If making this in advance, cover and chill then reheat in a saucepan until bubbling, stirring, for about 4 minutes or until warmed through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 152.3, Fat 11.9, SaturatedFat 7, Cholesterol 40.8, Sodium 217.2, Carbohydrate 8.9, Fiber 3.9, Sugar 1.6, Protein 5.9
CREAMED FRESH SPINACH
This flavorful no-frills side dish is a great way to incorporate the nutritious leafy greens into a meal. My mom always included creamed spinach or carrots on our holiday menu. -Rosemarie Forcum White Stone, Virginia
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 20m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Place spinach in a Dutch oven over 1 in. of water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cover and steam just until wilted, about 4 minutes. Drain; chop and set aside., Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth. Gradually add cream and milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in the onion, salt and pepper. Fold in spinach; heat through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 191 calories, Fat 18g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 60mg cholesterol, Sodium 101mg sodium, Carbohydrate 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.
CHEESY CREAMED SPINACH
This is a recipe for a delicious and cheesy creamed spinach. It's easy and tastes much better than any store bought or frozen versions. I made it for Thanksgiving and it was great!
Provided by BREN3205
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Greens
Time 30m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add spinach and cook until wilted, stirring constantly. Remove from the skillet and drain in a colander. Try to squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
- Melt the butter in the skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and onions; cook and stir until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the spinach and stir in the heavy cream. Sprinkle in the provolone cheese and stir to melt and coat the spinach. Once the provolone has melted, stir in the Parmesan cheese and continue to cook and stir until thickened. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 243.6 calories, Carbohydrate 5.3 g, Cholesterol 68.2 mg, Fat 21.6 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 9.1 g, SaturatedFat 13.4 g, Sodium 321.9 mg, Sugar 0.7 g
CREAMED SPINACH
Categories Milk/Cream Dairy Leafy Green Onion Side Christmas Vegetarian Quick & Easy Spinach Gourmet Sugar Conscious Pescatarian Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Makes 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Cook spinach in 2 batches in 1 inch of boiling salted water in an 8-quart pot, stirring constantly, until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold running water until cool. Squeeze small handfuls of spinach to remove as much moisture as possible, then coarsely chop.
- Heat milk and cream in a small saucepan over moderate heat, stirring, until warm. Meanwhile, cook onion in butter in a 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Whisk in flour and cook roux, whisking, 3 minutes. Add warm milk mixture in a fast stream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps, and simmer, whisking, until thickened, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in nutmeg, spinach, and salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring, until heated through.
CREAMED SPINACH
"I happen to have a minor passion for creamed spinach," Pierre Franey wrote in The Times in 1987. His passion shines here with this simple, richly flavored dish. Spinach that has been cooked briefly and pureed in a food processor is combined with a fast bechamel sauce. The result is just so good.
Provided by Pierre Franey
Categories easy, quick
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- If bulk spinach is used, pick it over to remove and discard any tough stems and blemished leaves. Rinse the spinach thoroughly and shake off excess water. There should be about 2 pounds cleaned weight, or 16 cups.
- Bring enough water to a boil to cover the spinach when it is added and stirred down. Add spinach and cook 2 minutes and drain. Run under cold running water until chilled. Empty the spinach into a deep colander and press to extract most of the water.
- Put the spinach into the container of a food processor or an electric blender and blend thoroughly. There should be about 1 3/4 cups.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the flour, stirring with a wire whisk. Add the milk, stirring rapidly with the whisk. Add nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring, about 5 minutes and add the spinach. Stir to blend. Heat and serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 139, UnsaturatedFat 2 grams, Carbohydrate 16 grams, Fat 6 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 10 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 817 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 0 grams
CLASSIC CREAMED SPINACH
I can't resist a pat-on-my-back moment here--I rock at making creamed spinach. And I'm sharing this recipe with you because I want you to feel the same kind of confidence. Hidden in this seemingly straightforward recipe are lots of skills and foundational techniques, such as making a roux and a bechamel and sauteing onions. When you master this, you can say you're awesome at cooking--and you're definitely ready to graduate to the next chapter ("The Scary Stuff"!). Plus, this steakhouse classic is a great way to get everyone chowing down on iron-rich spinach.
Provided by Amanda Freitag
Categories side-dish
Time 35m
Yield Makes 8 cups, to serve 8 to 10
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Blanch the spinach. Bring 1 gallon water to a boil in a large pot. Add a pinch of kosher salt. Place the spinach in the boiling water. After 45 seconds (exactly), remove the spinach leaves with a slotted spoon, spider or tongs and drain in a colander. Let cool completely.
- Use your hands to press the spinach against the sides of the colander. When most of the liquid has been released, squeeze handfuls of the spinach to make sure all of the excess water has been removed. Set aside.
- In a wide, high-sided saute pan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. With a wooden spoon, stir the flour into the melted butter to create a roux that will look like wet sand. Cook the roux for 3 minutes, stirring continuously to make sure it doesn't burn and it becomes a "blond" color. Add the milk to the roux, whisking vigorously to make sure that the roux completely dissolves into the milk without lumping.
- Turn down the heat to maintain a low simmer. You're making a bechamel sauce, which is the base for the creamed spinach. Next, whisk in the cream and return the mixture to a simmer. Cook the bechamel until thickened and smooth, about 5 minutes, stirring often. Season the sauce with the salt, pepper and cayenne.
- Preheat a small saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and let heat for about 1 minute. Add the onions and season with a pinch of salt. Cook until the onions soften and become translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook an additional minute or two.
- Add the cooked onion and garlic along with the drained spinach to the bechamel, folding to make sure it's completely coated with sauce. Season with the nutmeg. Cook for 2 minutes, then taste the spinach. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and the nutmeg, and/or more cayenne if desired.
Tips:
- To save time, you can use frozen spinach instead of fresh spinach. Just be sure to thaw it completely before using it.
- If you don't have heavy cream, you can use milk instead. Just be sure to add a little bit of cornstarch to help thicken the sauce.
- You can add other ingredients to your creamed spinach, such as cooked bacon, mushrooms, or cheese.
- Creamed spinach is a great side dish for a variety of main courses, such as chicken, fish, or beef.
- Leftover creamed spinach can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Conclusion:
Creamed spinach is a delicious and versatile side dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's easy to make and can be customized to your liking. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy side dish, give creamed spinach a try!
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