This homemade creamed spinach is one of my favorite sides. Serve it over rice, noodles, baked potatoes, grits, or just by itself. This recipe calls for fresh spinach, onions, and garlic in an easy-to-make cream sauce that starts with a roux.
I am a huge spinach fan. I like it sauteed, in salads, in souffles, and even canned. As much as I eat, you would think I am related to Popeye. If you like spinach as much as I do, try asparagus-stuffed chicken with spinach and sundried tomatoes, hot spinach dip, and spinach-stuffed chicken.
Ingredients Needed and Substitutions
- Butter: salted or unsalted, everything tastes better with a bit of butter
- Shallots: 1/2 large yellow onion can be substituted if needed
- Baby spinach: regular spinach can be used, but remove the large stems
- Milk: preferably whole or 2%
- Ground nutmeg: optional but highly recommended
- Salt and pepper: freshly ground is always best
- Heavy cream: or whipping cream
How to Make Creamed Spinach
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
Melt a couple of tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and saute until soft. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic and spinach. Cook for a couple of minutes or until the spinach is wilted, stirring several times.
Meanwhile, melt the remaining butter in a separate large skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk to combine. Cook for 2-3 minutes while whisking. Slowly add the milk while whisking and continue cooking until thickened. Stir in the sauteed spinach mixture, nutmeg, and heavy cream. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
Preparation Tips and Storage
- Use fresh baby spinach, which has fewer stems and is more tender.
- Season to taste with plenty of salt and pepper. Add a couple of pinches of cayenne or crushed red pepper if you like a little heat.
- This recipe is best served as soon as it is done, but sometimes, coordinating everything to be served is difficult. You can keep it over low heat for a short period, stirring frequently. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a quarter cup of milk at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
Serving Suggestions
More Spinach Recipes
- Spinach quiche
- Spinach salad with warm honey mustard dressing
- Sauteed spinach
- Hot spinach artichoke dip
- Strawberry spinach salad
Creamed Spinach
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons butter unsalted or salted
- 2 shallots finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 16 ounces baby spinach
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups milk whole or 2%
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and saute until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic and spinach. Cook for 1-2 minutes. or until the spinach is wilted, stirring several times.
- Meanwhile, melt the remaining butter in a separate large skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk to combine. Cook for 2-3 minutes while whisking.
- Slowly add the milk while whisking and continue cooking until thickened. Stir in the sauteed spinach mixture, nutmeg, and heavy cream. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
Notes
- Use fresh baby spinach, as it has fewer stems and is more tender.
- Season to taste with plenty of salt and pepper. If you like a little heat, add a couple of pinches of cayenne or crushed red pepper.
- This recipe is best served as soon as it is done, but sometimes coordinating everything to be served is difficult. You can keep it over low heat for a short period of time, stirring frequently. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a quarter cup of milk at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
Nutrition
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Gervin K
Wow! Such a healthy and delicious recipe that everyones loves. It is a great side for roasted chicken or grilled steak.
Ramona
I love this recipe! It is my favorite side dish. Absolutely delicious with your New York strip steak recipe.
Tanya
This is such are great and unique way to serve spinach. Creamy and delicious! Wonderful with your New York Strip steak recipe.
Chloe
This creamed spinach recipe was DIVINE! I love how it uses simple, fresh ingredients to create a rich, flavorful side dish with cream sauce. This is one of my favorite side dishes and a favorite of my husbands.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Chloe! My husband loves it too.
Kristine
Yum! Love this creamed spinach recipe. Your photos are fantastic. I grow my own spinach indoors, that’s how much I love it, and am always looking for new ways to utilize it. Thanks for another great recipe!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Kristine!
Kendra
This creamed spinach was absolutely delicious and perfect as a side. Thanks for sharing such a simple yet flavorful recipe!
Lisa
I love spinach, but I have yet to have creamy spinach. I bet this is really good and spread it out on some bread. I’m gonna try this recipe.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Lisa! Enjoy!
Ben
This is delicious. I love spinach, but believe it or not, I’ve never had it like this before. It’s going to be a regular in my rotation now.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Ben!
Archana Singh
I love spinach. I usually make it with cottage cheese. But this creamed spinach recipe looks so good. Gonna try it next time for sure.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Archana! Enjoy!