Description
This Best Creamed Spinach recipe features tender chopped spinach cooked in a rich and creamy sauce made with cream cheese, heavy cream, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese, flavored with garlic, onion, and a hint of nutmeg. It’s an easy and delicious side dish perfect for any dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Spinach
- 3 (10 oz) bags frozen chopped spinach
Cream Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 6 large garlic cloves, minced
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg (optional)
- salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Spinach: Cook the frozen spinach in the microwave according to the package instructions. Once cooked, carefully remove excess water by squeezing the spinach using cheesecloth, a tea towel, a fine mesh sieve, or a colander, then set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Make Cream Sauce: Add the cream cheese to the skillet and stir continuously until it melts into the onion and garlic. Next, pour in the heavy cream and cook while stirring for about 2 minutes to combine.
- Add Cheeses and Seasoning: Stir in the shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, nutmeg if using, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Mix until all the cheeses have melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine Spinach and Sauce: Fold the drained spinach into the creamy cheese sauce in the skillet. Cook for an additional minute to heat everything through.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve the creamed spinach immediately as a rich, flavorful side dish.
Notes
- Store: Refrigerate cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave for 30 seconds, stir, then heat another 30 seconds, or reheat in a pan over medium-low heat for 6 to 8 minutes.
- Freeze: Freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results, or reheat directly from frozen in the microwave with 1 tablespoon of water, heating 1 minute at a time until warm.
- Strain: It’s very important to strain excess water from the spinach to avoid runny creamed spinach. Use cheesecloth or a fine mesh sieve to squeeze out moisture thoroughly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
