Creamed Spinach – A Quick Side Dish for Any Meal

Creamed spinach is such a simple but side dish. Basic pantry essentials and a handful of minutes are all it requires to make this homemade fresh creamed spinach.

Learn how to make cream spinach with cream cheese, spinach leaves, onions, garlic and more all join forces to make this the best spinach recipe you will ever have.

Whether you serve this vegetable side dish up for dinner, or your holiday feast, everyone will want the recipe. This spinach side dish is a must-make.

What stands out

Beyond its simplicity, this version gives you a beautifully creamy texture without over-the-top richness. It shines whether you’re serving it next to a steak, turkey, or with roasted vegetables.

• Fresh spinach leaves bring out such a flavorful component that can’t be beat.
• Flavors blend perfectly.
• So easy to make.
• Affordable.
• Quick to prep and cook.
• You can easily make as much or as little as you want with this creamy spinach.

Key Ingredients at a Glance

Each component is chosen to build flavour and ease: the onion and garlic lend depth, while the cream cheese-milk combo keeps the sauce smooth and stable.

Spinach | Wash and prep your fresh leaves to toss into this side dish.

Onions, garlic, butter | Butter is a must and then onion and garlic add depth to the side.

Dairy | Parmesan cheese, whole milk, cream cheese all help add tons of flavor to the side dish.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Note: The spinach will appear large to start but quickly wilts down — using a sufficiently large skillet will make the job easier.

Step 1: Start by rinsing your spinach leaves and setting them aside. Then, in a pan, add your butter to a skillet and heat it over medium.

Step 2: Once the butter is melted, toss in your onions and cook 2-4 minutes or until they are translucent and fragrant.

Step 3: Add the garlic and cook for another minute or so. As that is heating, take your milk and warm it up in the microwave for 25 seconds. Then stir in the cornstarch.

Step 4: Pour the milk mixture into the skillet and add in the cheese, salt, and pepper. Whisk until combined, and then stir in the spinach leaves and coat them.

When to Make & How to Serve

Though best fresh, you can pull this together while your main dish roasts, then dish it out as soon as the last minute. For quick weeknight service, have your ingredients prepped ahead.

Creamed spinach is a recipe that is best made fresh and served hot. We don’t recommend making it in advance to reheat for serving this easy creamed spinach at a Thanksgiving or Christmas feast.

The texture of the Parmesan creamed spinach will soften quite a bit. This holiday side dish is best served fresh.

Now, it is also great for serving all year round, but it is a classic holiday side dish that many homes whip up!

Chef’s Tips & Flavor Variations

• Want a lighter version? Swap half the cream cheese for Greek yogurt (add it off-heat so it doesn’t split).
• Season with salt and pepper to taste
• Use a large skillet over medium heat. The spinach leaves will be a lot at first, but remember, they break down quite a bit.
• You can use frozen spinach if you thaw, drain, and squeeze excess liquid.
• Top with fresh herbs to add more flavor layers, if desired.
• Add in a little cayenne for a kick of flavor if you want some heat.
• This is paired nicely with butternut squash.
• You can use half-and-half to replace whole milk if you prefer.
• Parmigiano-Reggiano can be swapped for parmesan cheese in the recipe.

Practical notes

Can we Use Frozen Spinach?

If you want to use frozen spinach for creamed spinach, you need to thaw and squeeze out the excess water in your spinach before adding it to the pot. Otherwise, it will water down the mixture and not be thick like you would like.

How Do You Thicken Creamed Spinach?

You will thicken your creamed spinach with the milk and cornstarch. Cornstarch serves as the thickening agent in this recipe. If you find it isn’t thick enough, add more cornstarch and milk, and then stir occasionally until it thickens to your desired consistency. Then pour in the fresh spinach leaves.

What Meat Goes Well With Creamed Spinach?

Roast beef, roasted chicken, a Christmas dinner with turkey or ham. This side dish is so easy and pairs well with almost any protein. Even prime rib is a great pairing.

Can You Reheat Creamed Spinach?

Absolutely, you can reheat. The texture will be softer, but still taste great. Just slowly reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop on low heat. If you need add more milk to thin it up a bit if the cream sauce is too thick.

How long will cooked spinach last in the fridge?

Homemade creamed spinach will last 3-5 days when stored properly in the fridge.

Is spinach good for you?

Incorporating spinach dishes into your diet is a great way to boost your nutrient intake. Spinach is rich in beta-carotene and Vitamin C, and is beneficial for eye health, a good source to help regulate blood pressure, and more.

Does spinach have protein?

A cup of raw spinach contains around.7 grams of protein. For a cup of spinach, it averages around 25 grams.

Is spinach a vegetable?

Spinach is a vegetable that is great served raw, cooked, and in all things in between. From mixing in soups, making hearty salads, and more.

How much iron in spinach?

You will find the amount of iron in the spinach is significant. 3.5 ounces of spinach contains around 2.7 mg of iron. That is 15% of your iron needed for the day.

Can we make this dairy-free or lighter without losing creaminess?

Yes — you can use a non-dairy milk (such as oat or almond) with a tablespoon of arrowroot or cornstarch stirred in to thicken, and substitute part of the cream cheese with a dairy-free version or silken tofu blended smooth. The texture will differ slightly but still deliver a satisfying side dish.

How can we prepare this ahead of time for a holiday or crowd-pleaser dinner?

You can fully cook the dish and keep it warm in a low-temp oven (around 200°F/90°C) for up to 30 minutes before serving. For longer hold times, cool it, store it in a covered dish in the fridge, then gently reheat on the stove over low heat with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.

Even More Recipes to Try

• Homemade Creamed Corn Recipe
• Spinach Artichoke Dip Instant Pot
• Easy Cheesy Stuffed Shells With Spinach
• Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
• Brussels Sprouts Gratin
• Twice Baked Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients

Makes 4 -6 servings

• 1-12 oz package spinach, approximately 4 cups
• 1 Tablespoon butter, unsalted
• 1/2 small onion, diced yellow or white
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed and sliced
• 3/4 cup whole milk or half and half
• 1-2 Tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 oz cream cheese, softened
• 3 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne, optional

Equipment

• Vegetable Chopper
• Garlic Press
• Measuring Spoons
• Deep 12 Inch Skillet

Method

1. Start by rinsing off your spinach leaves and letting them dry in a bowl.
2. Now in a pan add your butter and heat on medium heat and allow it to melt. Once melted add in your diced onions and cook 2-4 minutes.
3. Allow the onions to become translucent and fragrant. Then add in your garlic and cook for another minute.
4. While the garlic is cooking add your milk in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 25 seconds. Stir in the cornstarch and whisk well. Lower heat to low-medium.
5. Pour the milk mixture into the pan, and add in your salt, pepper, cream cheese, and parmesan cheese. Add cayenne as well if you want it. Stir until it reaches the desired thickness you want. Continuously stir or it will burn.
6. Toss in your spinach and stir until well mixed. Cook down a little to your desired texture. Then serve this creamed spinach warm.

Kitchen notes

You can use frozen spinach, just thaw first and then squeeze off extra liquid. You can replace the milk with half and a half if you prefer. Top with added parmesan cheese, a sprinkle of cayenne, or even nutmeg. Serve fresh and then store any leftovers in the fridge for 3-5 days. Use your best judgment in terms of quality. Feel free to swap to a shallot if you prefer. Go ahead and double the recipe if you want, this recipe is versatile. Just use a larger pan as the spinach will break down. This is a great weeknight side dish, Christmas side dish, or even for Thanksgiving. We don’t recommend making this in advance, it is best when served fresh. You can leave out the cream cheese if you want, and replace it with mozzarella cheese.