Description
This quick and easy creamed spinach recipe features tender baby spinach leaves perfectly coated in a silky, rich cream sauce made with butter, garlic, heavy cream, and cream cheese. It’s a delicious side dish ready in just 15 minutes, ideal for enhancing any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Spinach and Vegetables
- 10 oz Baby spinach (or 6 oz frozen spinach, thawed and drained well)
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
Dairy and Seasonings
- 3 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 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
- Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Heat Butter and Garlic: Heat the butter in a large skillet with tall sides over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, releasing its aroma.
- Cook Spinach: Add the spinach to the skillet. Sauté for 2-4 minutes until the spinach is just barely wilted. If the pan is too full to stir or you can’t fit all the spinach at once, add what you can and cover the skillet for 1-2 minutes to allow the spinach at the bottom to wilt. Then stir in a folding motion and add more spinach as needed.
- Add Cream and Seasonings: Pour in the heavy cream and add the cream cheese pieces, Italian seasoning, sea salt, and black pepper. Stir constantly until the cream cheese melts completely and the mixture is smooth.
- Simmer and Thicken: Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools from hot to warm.
- Serve: Optionally, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese before serving for extra flavor and richness. Serve warm as a creamy, flavorful side dish.
Notes
- This recipe uses only 6 main ingredients and can be made in just 15 minutes.
- Using baby spinach provides a tender texture, but frozen spinach is a convenient alternative when fresh is not available.
- Stirring constantly while adding cream cheese ensures a smooth, lump-free sauce.
- Adjust the seasoning to taste, especially the salt and pepper levels.
- Parmesan cheese adds a savory depth but is completely optional.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 0.5 cup
- Calories: 274 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 278 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 22 mg
