Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?

Absolutely! You'll need about 1.5-2 pounds of fresh spinach as it cooks down significantly. Blanch it briefly in boiling water, then shock in ice water, drain thoroughly, and chop before adding to the cream sauce.

How do I prevent my creamed spinach from being watery?

The key is removing as much moisture as possible from the spinach. After thawing frozen spinach, place it in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly to remove excess water. Also, make sure to simmer the sauce until it's reduced to your preferred thickness.

Can I make this recipe lighter or lower in calories?

You can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream and use light cream cheese. While it won't be quite as rich, it will still be delicious. You could also use part-skim mozzarella in place of some of the parmesan.

Why is my sauce grainy or separated?

This typically happens when the heat is too high or the sauce is cooked too long. Keep the heat low when melting the cheese and cream cheese, and stir constantly. If your sauce does separate, sometimes a splash of cold cream and gentle whisking can help bring it back together.

Best Creamed Spinach Recipe

Name: Best Creamed Spinach Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Butter Base; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 small yellow or sweet onion, finely diced; 3 garlic cloves, minced; Cream Sauce; 6 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1 cup heavy cream; ¾ cup freshly shaved Parmesan cheese; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper; ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg; Spinach; 16-ounce package frozen spinach, thawed and excess liquid drained

This incredibly rich and velvety Best Creamed Spinach transforms an ordinary vegetable into a luxurious side dish that’s surprisingly simple to make. Ready in just 25 minutes, this restaurant-quality creamed spinach combines tender spinach with a silky, cheesy sauce that’s perfectly seasoned with aromatic garlic and a hint of nutmeg. It’s the ultimate comfort food side dish that pairs beautifully with nearly any main course.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Effortless: From start to finish in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you need something impressive without the fuss.
Restaurant Quality at Home: This creamed spinach rivals what you’d find at high-end steakhouses, but at a fraction of the cost.
Versatile Side Dish: Complements everything from grilled steaks to roasted chicken, making meal planning a breeze.
Rich and Satisfying: The creamy, cheesy sauce transforms simple spinach into a decadent treat that even vegetable skeptics will devour.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Butter: Creates a rich base for sautéing the aromatics and adds a beautiful depth of flavor to the sauce.
Yellow or Sweet Onion: Provides a mild sweetness and aromatic foundation. Make sure to dice it finely so it melts into the sauce.
Garlic: Adds that essential savory punch that takes this dish from good to unforgettable.
Cream Cheese: The secret ingredient that gives the sauce its velvety thickness and tangy richness.
Heavy Cream: Creates the luxurious, silky texture that makes this dish so irresistible.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly shaved parmesan adds a nutty, salty dimension that perfectly complements the spinach.
Salt and Pepper: Simple seasonings that enhance all the other flavors.
Nutmeg: Just a pinch transforms the dish with a warm, slightly sweet complexity that’s classic with creamed greens.
Frozen Spinach: The star of the show! Convenient and economical, frozen spinach works beautifully in this recipe and saves you the trouble of cooking down fresh spinach.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Different Cheese Options

Experiment with cheeses like gruyère, white cheddar, or even a sprinkle of crumbled blue cheese for different flavor profiles.

Add Some Protein

Transform this side into a main dish by adding crispy bacon bits, diced ham, or shredded rotisserie chicken.

Vegetable Mix-Ins

Try adding artichoke hearts, sautéed mushrooms, or roasted red peppers for additional flavor and texture.

Spice It Up

A pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce can add a pleasant heat that contrasts beautifully with the creamy sauce.

How to Make the Best Creamed Spinach

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the finely diced onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.

Step 2: Create the Cream Sauce

Reduce the heat to low and add the softened cream cheese, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg to the pan. Stir continuously until the cream cheese has completely melted and the sauce is smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Add the Spinach

Make sure your thawed spinach is well-drained (squeeze out any excess moisture to prevent a watery sauce). Stir the spinach into the cream sauce until thoroughly coated. Simmer gently for 3-5 minutes until the spinach is heated through and the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.

Step 4: Final Seasoning

Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. The flavors should be balanced with the richness of the cream and cheese complementing the earthiness of the spinach.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Properly Drain the Spinach: Squeeze every bit of excess water from the thawed spinach. Place it in a clean kitchen towel and wring it out thoroughly—this prevents a watery sauce.
Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened to ensure it melts smoothly into the sauce without lumps.
Fresh Nutmeg Makes a Difference: If possible, use freshly grated nutmeg for a more vibrant flavor.
Don’t Rush the Sauce: Let the cream sauce simmer gently to develop flavor and reach the perfect consistency.
Season in Layers: Add a little salt when cooking the onions, then adjust at the end for perfectly seasoned creamed spinach.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

This creamed spinach is the ideal companion to grilled steaks, roasted beef tenderloin, or a perfectly cooked prime rib. The rich sauce complements the meat beautifully.

Poultry Partners

Serve alongside roasted chicken or turkey for a special dinner that feels like a holiday meal any day of the week.

Seafood Accompaniment

The creamy texture and flavor pairs wonderfully with salmon, seared scallops, or even a simple baked white fish.

Brunch Star

Add a poached egg on top and serve with toast points for an elevated weekend brunch option.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover creamed spinach in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often deepen and improve overnight, making this an excellent make-ahead dish.

Freezing

While you can freeze creamed spinach, the texture of the cream sauce may change slightly upon thawing. If freezing, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month.

Reheating

Gently reheat the creamed spinach in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally. You may need to add a splash of cream or milk to restore the original creamy consistency. Alternatively, microwave in short intervals, stirring between each until heated through.

FAQs

Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?

Absolutely! You’ll need about 1.5-2 pounds of fresh spinach as it cooks down significantly. Blanch it briefly in boiling water, then shock in ice water, drain thoroughly, and chop before adding to the cream sauce.
How do I prevent my creamed spinach from being watery?

The key is removing as much moisture as possible from the spinach. After thawing frozen spinach, place it in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly to remove excess water. Also, make sure to simmer the sauce until it’s reduced to your preferred thickness.
Can I make this recipe lighter or lower in calories?

You can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream and use light cream cheese. While it won’t be quite as rich, it will still be delicious. You could also use part-skim mozzarella in place of some of the parmesan.
Why is my sauce grainy or separated?

This typically happens when the heat is too high or the sauce is cooked too long. Keep the heat low when melting the cheese and cream cheese, and stir constantly. If your sauce does separate, sometimes a splash of cold cream and gentle whisking can help bring it back together.

Final Thoughts

This Best Creamed Spinach recipe proves that sometimes the simplest dishes are the most memorable. With its rich, velvety sauce and perfectly seasoned spinach, it’s bound to become a regular feature at your table. Whether you’re serving it alongside a special dinner or just looking to elevate a weeknight meal, this creamed spinach delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort. Give it a try tonight—your family will be asking for seconds!