This thick and creamy creamed spinach recipe is the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter dinner. It comes together in just 20 minutes and can easily be doubled to feed a crowd. Scroll down to watch the how-to video!
Melt ½ Tablespoon (5g) of butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add approximately half of your fresh spinach and cook, stirring frequently, until spinach is wilted. Using tongs or a large slotted spoon, remove wilted spinach to colander and allow to drain.
5 Tablespoons unsalted butter, 16 oz fresh baby spinach¹
Add another ½ Tablespoon (5g) of butter to the pot and repeat the step above with the remaining spinach. Remove wilted spinach from pot, combine with first half of spinach, and drain well/squeeze out excess moisture (too much water left behind could make your creamed spinach watery!). Transfer to a cutting board and coarsely chop with a knife. Set aside.
Wipe out the pot that you cooked your spinach in and return to the stovetop over medium heat. Add remaining 4 Tablespoons (57g) of butter to the pot and cook until melted.
Add onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
1 medium yellow onion
Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
1 Tablespoon minced garlic
Sprinkle flour over onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until flour is absorbed and beginning to smell nutty/a light golden brown in color.
¼ cup all-purpose flour
Gradually, while whisking, whisk the milk into the pot, whisking together milk and flour and breaking up any lumps as you go.
¾ cup whole milk
Slowly whisk in cream, then add salt, pepper, paprika and cayenne pepper, if using. Continue to whisk frequently until mixture begins to thicken.
¾ cup heavy cream, ½ teaspoon table salt or fine sea salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ⅛ teaspoon paprika, Pinch cayenne pepper
Add cream cheese and parmesan cheese and stir until completely melted.
3 oz cream cheese, ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Return drained, chopped spinach to the pot and stir to combine. Taste test and add more salt and pepper if needed.
Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
¹Spinach
I like to use fresh baby spinach. You can chop yours before cooking, but since it’s such a large mass of leaves I find it to be much easier to chop after cooking. You may substitute 16 oz of chopped frozen spinach instead, be sure to thaw and drain well before adding to the recipe in step 10.
Nutmeg
Some people love to use a pinch of ground nutmeg in their chopped spinach. This is certainly an option, though I would omit the paprika and cayenne pepper if using nutmeg.
Doubling
This recipe may be doubled with no alterations needed.
Making in Advance
This recipe is best (and creamiest!) when served fresh. If you must make it in advance, store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 1-2 days. You may notice some separation occurs, this is fine. To reheat, heat over medium/low heat until smooth and creamy and warmed through.