Creamed spinach is a classic steakhouse side dish, but there’s no reason you shouldn’t be making it at home. My recipe comes together in 15 minutes, and it delivers rich flavor with just a few basic ingredients! I used Jack’s mom’s creamed spinach as a starting point for this recipe. She made it for Thanksgiving every year when Jack was growing up, and he still raves about it. In developing this recipe, I wanted to capture the luxurious flavor and silky texture of her creamed spinach while putting the fresh greens front and center. Many creamed spinach recipes use frozen spinach, butter, and cream cheese. To put the focus more on the greens, I use fresh spinach here, which provides more texture than frozen (though you can use frozen in a pinch!). Once I cook the greens down, I make a light, tangy cream sauce that gives the spinach brightness and richness, but—crucially—doesn’t overwhelm it. No cream cheese required! Jack and I both love this creamed spinach recipe, and I hope you do too. Quick, easy, and packed with flavor, it’s perfect for holidays and busy weeknights alike. Enjoy!
What You’ll Need to Make Creamed Spinach
Here’s what you’ll need to make this creamed spinach recipe:
Spinach, of course! I love the vibrant color and texture of fresh baby spinach in this recipe. You’ll need a full pound. That might sound like a lot of spinach, but it really cooks down! Extra-virgin olive oil – You’ll use it for sautéing the spinach as well as the shallot and garlic. Shallot and garlic – They add savory, aromatic flavor to this simple side dish. Heavy cream – It creates the rich, flavorful sauce. Cornstarch – It thickens the cream sauce. Fresh lemon juice and Dijon mustard – Many creamed spinach recipes call for cream cheese to add tangy flavor to the sauce. I like to use lemon juice and Dijon mustard instead. They add that necessary tang while making the sauce feel fresh and bright. And salt and pepper – To make all the flavors pop!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make Creamed Spinach
This easy creamed spinach recipe takes under 15 minutes from start to finish. Here’s how to make it: This recipe is an excellent holiday side dish, but it’s also a good one to have in your back pocket for dinner any night of the week. Serve it with your favorite protein, a baked potato, veggie lasagna, or creamy polenta.
To reheat leftovers, warm them over low heat on the stove, or quickly zap them in the microwave.
More Easy Side Dishes
If you love this creamed spinach recipe, try one of these simple side dishes next:
Roasted Brussels Sprouts Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad Fresh Green Beans Roasted Cauliflower Mashed Cauliflower Roasted Broccoli
