• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
My Therapist Cooks
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Memorial Day Recipes
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Memorial Day Recipes
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Recipes » Food

Cheesy Creamed Spinach

Published: Jul 22, 2014 Last Updated: Sep 2023 by Lindsay This post may contain affiliate links to products I use and enjoy. 2 Comments

Jump to Recipe
No ratings yet

You know how people are, like, super duper epically into creamed spinach, especially when they go to steakhouses?  IMG_2435

Want to Read Later?

You can email this post to yourself (or anyone else!), so you can come back to it later!

I need to admit something:  I don't get it.  It seems weird to add mush to mush and then end up with kind of a pile of mush.  I KNOW IT'S NOT REALLY THAT, but it this particular side dish has always been sort of lame to me, and I don't think I've ever honestly eaten it in a restaurant.  IMG_2437

I also ate a ton of frozen spinach as a kid (Mama, I know that it wasn't really every night of my life), and the texture is just UGH.  Like stringy prechewed grass?  But that doesn't taste good?  Sorry for the visual - my point is that when creamed spinach is made from frozen spinach it makes me feel sad on the inside where my feelings live, SO I DON'T EAT IT.  

Until now!  When I made it with fresh spinach!  And cheese!  Let's go.  

You need fresh spinach, obviously.  Two bags looks like a ton, but I served this quantity to 5 people and there were no leftovers.  None.  You also need 1 clove of garlic, cream cheese, smoked paprika, salt, and crushed red pepper if you like heat.  If you don't have smoked paprika that's ok!  Just use regular or leave it out altogether.  The cream cheese + garlic combo is really the point of this story.  IMG_2420

Now, this cooks SUPER fast, and if you let it go too far we end up with the sad wilty issue I already mentioned.  This is not a make-ahead side, but it's fine because it takes 5 minutes to make so....last minute is perfect!  I start this in a cold skillet so things don't get too hot too fast.  Grate the garlic directly into the skillet.  IMG_2423

Then, add the cream cheese, salt, smoked paprika, and crushed red pepper if you decide to use it.  IMG_2424

Stir the spices and cream cheese together over medium heat for just a minute or two until the cream cheese melts about half way.  Then, add the spinach!  You may have to add it in two batches - it reduces by about ¼ in the skillet, but takes a minute.  Gently toss the spinach in the cream mixture until it JUST starts to wilt, then turn the heat off.  IMG_2425

Taste the spinach, and add more of any of the spices that you'd like.  Then, serve!  The liquid will release from the spinach and combine with the cream cheese and THIS is what I think creamed spinach should be all the time.  IMG_2426

Yes?  Yes.  IMG_2434

Recipe

Cheesy Creamed Spinach

Lindsay Howerton-Hastings
No ratings yet
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound fresh spinach leaves
  • 1 clove grated or very finely minced garlic
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 3 ounces cream cheese

Instructions
 

  • Add all the ingredients but the spinach to a skillet over medium heat. Stir to toast the spices and melt the cream cheese.
  • When the cream cheese is nearly melted, add all the spinach and toss for 2-3 minutes until just starting to wilt. Turn the heat off the skillet and taste: add more of any spices that you'd like.
  • Serve immediately - the spinach will be very hot and continue to wilt in its own juices.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 4g
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

More Food

  • A hamburger with lettuce, tomato, and pimento cheese on parchment paper.
    15 Easy Memorial Day Recipes
  • Skillet with spring veggie risotto surrounded by floral napkin and purple flowers.
    Spring Vegetable Risotto with Leeks
  • Smoked salmon charcuterie board with scallion cream cheese and pickled red onions.
    Smoked Salmon Charcuterie Board
  • A collage of recipe images for Master's viewing.
    Easy Master's Party Food Menu

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Christopher

    July 23, 2014 at 6:05 pm

    Another DELICIOUS looking recipe- I'll try this one tomorrow!
    What's in the background with the little tomatoes? That looks really yummy too!!

    Reply
    • funnyloveblog

      July 24, 2014 at 9:14 am

      It's cooked barley made to taste like Caprese with roasted tomatoes, mozz cubes, balsamic drizzle, and basil. YES IT IS.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Image of Lindsay Howerton-Hastings smiling sitting on dark gray couch wearing chambray blue shirt.

Hi! I'm Lindsay. I'm a maternal mental health therapist, a recipe developer, food writer, and taker of all kinds of pictures. Thank you so much for being here! This blog is about how to take care of yourself and your people without taking anything too seriously.

More about me →

Yummy Memorial Day Recipes

  • Black Bean Salsa with Avocado

  • Watermelon Juice with Lime and Mint

  • bowl of vegan potato salad
    Vegan Potato Salad

  • Gray plate with burrata, pesto, and roasted tomatoes surrounded by grilled bread.
    Burrata Pesto Dip with Yogurt + Roasted Tomatoes

  • White plate with tofu steak, baked potato and steamed broccoli.
    Marinated Tofu Steak

  • Serving dish of strawberry cucumber salad with pickled white onions.
    Strawberry Cucumber Salad

Most Popular Recipes

  • Black skillet with sliced steak and shallot sauce.
    Cast Iron New York Strip

  • indian butter chicken served with rice in a white bowl.
    Easy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

  • homemade hibachi shrimp bowl in white serving bowl with asparagus and white rice.
    3-ingredient Hibachi Shrimp

  • white plate of asparagus casserole with a silver fork.
    BEST Easy Asparagus Casserole

  • Braised Chicken Thighs with Leeks and Lemon
    One-Skillet Chicken and Leeks

  • Brown Butter Blondies

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About
  • Privacy Policy

Emails

  • Sign Up! to get new recipes in your inbox

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

Loading Comments...
 

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required