Description
This quick and easy creamed spinach recipe combines tender baby spinach with a deliciously rich and silky cream sauce made from butter, garlic, heavy cream, and cream cheese. Perfect as a comforting side dish, it requires only a handful of ingredients and can be prepared in just 15 minutes. Optional parmesan cheese adds a delightful, savory finish to elevate the flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Spinach and Butter Base
- 3 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 10 oz Baby spinach (or 6 oz frozen spinach, thawed and drained well)
Cream Sauce
- 1/2 cup Heavy cream
- 4 oz Cream cheese, cut into small pieces
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp Sea salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Optional Topping
- Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Heat the butter and sauté garlic: Melt the unsalted butter in a large skillet with tall sides over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently, until fragrant but not browned.
- Cook the spinach: Add the baby spinach to the skillet. Sauté for 2-4 minutes until just barely wilted. If the skillet is crowded or can’t fit all the spinach at once, add what you can and cover the pan for 1-2 minutes to allow the bottom layer to wilt. Stir using a folding motion and gradually add the remaining spinach in batches as needed until all is wilted.
- Add cream and seasonings: Pour in the heavy cream and add the cream cheese pieces, Italian seasoning, sea salt, and black pepper. Stir constantly over medium heat until the cream cheese fully melts and combines into a smooth sauce.
- Simmer and thicken: Reduce the heat slightly and simmer the mixture for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, to thicken the cream sauce. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools to warm temperature.
- Serve and garnish: Remove from heat and transfer to serving dishes. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese if desired for an added layer of flavor before serving.
Notes
- This recipe can be made in just 15 minutes using only 6 ingredients, making it a perfect quick side dish.
- For a lower fat option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, though the sauce will be less rich.
- If using frozen spinach, be sure to thaw and drain thoroughly to avoid excess water diluting the sauce.
- Parmesan cheese is optional but adds a lovely savory note to finish the dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 0.5 cup
- Calories: 274 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 278 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 22 mg
