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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Samantha D
I used to make creamed spinach a long time ago, this has reminded me I need to make it again. Will try your recipe
Jupiter H
Creamed spinach is such a classic side dish but I have never made it at home! Thank you for your recipe.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Jupiter.
Rose Marie
I loved the creamed spinach recipe. It was so flavorful and creamy. This recipe is a keeper!
Tanya
This creamed spinach recipe was absolutely delicious! As a fellow spinach lover, I can’t wait to make it again. It pairs perfectly with so many dishes!
Tammy
I love creamed spinach. Traditionally we prepare this for Thanksgiving but I do love it occasionally with steak! Looks perfect!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Tammy! Enjoy!
Nayna Kanabar
I too love spinach, I try and add it to as many dishes as I can I love this creamy version.
karen
I looove spinach and would eat it daily if I could. Your recipe looks out of this world and it is very easy to follow, THANK YOU SO MUCH…
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Karen!
Janelle
We had this over rice and it was AMAZING!
Catalina
I made the Creamed Spinach and it turned out great! The flavors were perfectly balanced, and it was a great way to get everyone to eat their greens. Thank you for the delicious recipe!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Catalina!
Beth
I love your recipe. Creamed spinach is my jam, and this hit all the right notes. I served it over pan-seared garlic pork chops. AMAZING.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Beth! So glad that you liked the creamed spinach!
Sandra H
My kids really like this! It was really tasty and very easy to make! Perfect side dish!
Erica
This was the perfect side dish to my roasted chicken at our dinner last night! It was a delicious pairing! The whole family loved it!
Beth Pierce
So glad that you and your family liked it, Erica!
Krystle Smith
The fresh spinach really shines through, and the cream sauce is so rich and velvety. I loved how the onions and garlic added depth to the flavor.
Beth Pierce
Thnk you, Krystle! I am so glad that you liked it.
Janie
Love your recipes.
You cook like we do/did when my family was here at home.
It was like cooking for an army.
3 meals a day. Breakfasts and suppers together.
Sure miss that.
I am almost 77 now and don’t cook much anymore
But all of my kids do so I guess I taught them something…ha
Just wanted to let you know your recent are great and enjoyable to read.
Thanks again,
Janie🥰
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Janie! Meal sharing with family and friends is always enjoyable.
Allyssa
Fam really loved this! Will surely have this again, it’s really easy to make and tasted amazing! Thanks a lot for sharing this awesome recipe! Highly recommended!
Julia
Such a quick and delicious side dish, especially right now when spinach is in season!