Ultimate Creamed Spinach Recipe

There are some dishes that stand the test of time because they are easy to make and consistently satisfy our needs. While main courses tend to stand out as the star of the show, you know you've found a great side dish when it is equally popular. About her delightful creation, Daily Meal recipe developer Erin Johnson remarks, "This creamed spinach is so rich and delicious, it may be more popular than the steak you serve it with!"

Creamed spinach is a steakhouse classic and offers rich and comforting flavors with just a few basic ingredients. Johnson's recipe will be on the table in no time, and it can easily be made in advance and reheated. Whether you're serving it with a grilled steak or pairing it with something new, you'll love the combination of greens with a hearty dose of creamy goodness — what more could you want from a side dish? 

To make this ultimate creamed spinach recipe, you'll need butter, minced garlic cloves, diced onions, and spinach leaves. Use flour to thicken the dish and season it with kosher salt, ground pepper, and nutmeg. 

The rich creaminess comes from heavy cream, cream cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese. Johnson suggests, "If you want to make it slightly less indulgent, you can use whole milk instead of heavy cream." She also points out, "I often substitute or combine any greens I have on hand when I make this. I especially love a spinach and collard mix, but kale works as well." Try your favorite leafy greens to discover a new winning combination.

Set a large skillet on the stovetop on medium-high heat. Add the butter to the pan, then toss in the diced onion and minced garlic once it has melted. Cook the alliums for a few minutes while stirring, until they become pleasantly fragrant.

Next, start adding spinach to the skillet a few handfuls at a time. Stir it in with the onion mixture, and as it wilts, toss in some more. Continue wilting the spinach in the skillet until all of it is cooked.

Mix the flour into the wilted spinach to thicken it, then sprinkle in the salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir everything to combine, then lower the burner heat to medium.

Now, pour the heavy cream into the skillet and add the cream cheese too. Stir the contents of the pan until the cheese has completely melted. Finally, stir in the grated Parmesan in too, and cook the creamed spinach for another 5 minutes.

If you're ready to eat, go ahead and serve up a portion of creamed spinach. "Even though it's traditional to serve creamed spinach with steak or beef, this really goes well with anything! I love it with grilled chicken," Johnson shares. 

If you aren't planning to serve it immediately, simply transfer it to a baking dish and reheat it when the time is right. You can store the creamed spinach for up to three days in a sealed container in the refrigerator.