Creamed Spinach Recipe

closeup squared image of scooping out creamed spinach.

5 from 1 vote

Creamed spinach is a classic side dish featuring fresh spinach, shallots, garlic, and the most decadent creamy sauce made with cream cheese, parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses! This easy recipe only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish and it perfectly compliments so many main dishes.

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Total Time20

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings:

Calories: 318kcal

Author: Lyuba Brooke

Ingredients

1-2 tbsp olive oil
15 oz baby spinach
2 large shallots
3-4 garlic cloves
3 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp salt more or less to taste
1/8-1/4 tsp black pepper to taste
1/8-1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Prepare and measure the ingredients before starting to cook: Slice shallots, chop spinach, smash and mince the garlic. Measure cream, cheeses, and spices.
Preheat a large cooking pan over medium heat and add olive oil. Add shallots and sauté until browned.
Mix in garlic and sauté just until fragrant. Add chopped spinach and let it start to cook down. Then, slowly mix the spinach and onions while it's cooking down.
Note: if there is a lot of liquids coming off of the spinach, pour it off before adding cream and cheeses.
Once spinach is cooked down, lower the heat to medium-low and stir in cream cheese. When cream cheese is incorporated with spinach, mix in the heavy whipping cream, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, and seasoning. Mix until everything is smooth and nicely incorporated.
Let it gently simmer over medium-low heat for just a few minutes, stirring from time to time.
Take off heat, transfer into a serving dish, and serve. You can top it with some more grated parmesan cheese if you wish.

Video

Notes

Heavy Whipping Cream: why you can technically use half and half instead of heavy whipping cream, note that the results will not be as thick and rich.

Parmesan Cheese: It's important to freshly grate both cheeses yourself, especially the parmesan! Freshly grated parmesan lends the BEST flavor and consistency. (You can check your grocery store's deli section for freshly grated parmesan cheese.)

Frozen spinach: you can definitely use frozen spinach. Just make sure to thaw it completely and squeeze out the excess liquids before adding to the pan. Let it warm up before stirring in the cream cheese.

Nutrition