Easy Creamed Spinach Recipe (2024)

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Whip up a veggie dish even the pickiest eaters will love with my Recipe for Creamed Spinach! It’s so lusciously creamy, warming, and delicious, packed with tasty spinach and no heavy cream. This is the best-creamed spinach recipe, ready in only 20 minutes!

Creamed Spinach

When I was young, I had a strange obsession no other kid I knew had: creamed spinach. I tried it once at a restaurant without knowing what it was and was instantly hooked. I didn’t know what it was called, but I knew it was green, it was creamy, and it was so, so delicious.

“Green and creamy” wasn’t a lot to go off of! It took years for me to rediscover this favorite childhood food of mine, and when I did, I knew I had to learn how to make it at home. Packed with spinach, warm, and with the perfect creamy texture, it is the perfect side. Plus, it’s super easy to make. And with myself as proof, it’s the perfect veggie dish even for picky kids!

The best part: this is a super versatile dish. Creamed spinach with frozen spinach works just as well as fresh, and you can change up the flavors to suit your tastes (or your pickier eaters – why not add a little cheese?).

Got leftovers? Add it to pasta for a spinach cream sauce, or mix it into soup to thicken it up! You’ll find plenty of uses for this creamed spinach recipe!

Creamy Spinach Recipe Ingredients

• Unsalted butter
• Flour
• Garlic
• Milk
• Baby leaf spinach, fresh or frozen
• Balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper

You can make creamed spinach from frozen spinach, or from fresh. For frozen spinach, I recommend thawing the bag of spinach in a bowl of cold water. It should thaw quickly. Never thaw frozen food in hot water. If you don’t have the time to wait, microwave to thaw for about 4-5 minutes on high.

How to Cook Creamy Spinach

1. Set a medium saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Add four tablespoons of butter, then the flour once melted, and mix well.
   
2. Stir the melted butter and flour mixture and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Then, add in the minced garlic, and stir for one more minute.
   
3. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly. Cook for another five minutes until hot and well thickened.
   
4. In a large skillet, melt the remaining butter. Add the spinach in increments until it wilts enough to fit in the pan, and cook until all wilted, about 5 minutes. Don’t overcook- you want it wilted, not soggy!
   
5. Season the cream sauce with salt and pepper, then add in the wilted spinach and the balsamic vinegar, stirring until combined.
   
6. Serve immediately and enjoy!

I am a huge spinach lover. My go-to is my quick and easy Sauteed Spinach; when I want to indulge and impress my guests with a luscious creamy spinach dish, this is it! It never disappoints!

Easy Creamed Spinach Tips

• You can use frozen spinach to make this easy creamed spinach recipe; just thaw it and drain it before adding it to the sauce.
• Add the fresh spinach to the pan slowly; it will shrink down until it all fits.
• Don’t overcook your spinach leaves. They should be just wilted, not soggy!
• Got leftovers? Add creamed spinach into soups, sauces, or top toast with it! It’s a great addition to all sorts of other recipes!

Creamed Spinach from Frozen

1. Thaw the Frozen Spinach. You can thaw the frozen spinach by placing it in the refrigerator overnight or by using the microwave. A typical starting point is to microwave for 2-3 minutes.
2. Drain and Squeeze. After thawing, place the spinach in a fine-mesh strainer or clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much excess water as possible. You want the spinach to be as dry as you can make it.

Creamed Spinach with Fresh Spinach Variations

• To add flavor, try dicing up a medium onion and adding it to the butter to saute before adding the flour!
• For a twist, try swapping out the vinegar for ¼th teaspoon nutmeg.
• A pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes adds the perfect spice level.
• Adding cheese to this dish is a great option, especially for pickier eaters. Try adding cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, or even provolone cheese. Any cheese that melts well will work well, but these cheeses usually pair the best with spinach cream sauce.
• If you’re a fan of spinach artichoke dip, try adding some artichokes to achieve a similar flavor!

Easy Creamed Spinach Recipe FAQ

Spinach Recipes

• Sauteed Spinach
• Spinach Puffed Pastry
• Chorizo and Spinach Cheese Dip
• Strawberry Spinach Salad
• Mushroom Spinach Pasta

Try this dish with my Blistered Tomatoes!

If you enjoyed the recipe, leave a comment and a rating below!

Recipe

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