Creamed Spinach with Cream Cheese

Creamed spinach is a classic recipe typically made only for holidays, but we’d like to make a case for it to be enjoyed more often. This recipe combines three cheeses and uses frozen spinach for the simplest preparation—everything is stirred together in a saucepan until blended and warm. Here are even more ways to use frozen spinach.

In about 10 minutes you have a silky, flavorful side that is chock-full of healthy spinach. Using garlic and onion cream cheese adds savory allium flavor but lets you skip chopping and sauteing. Parmesan cheese adds umami and mozzarella melts smoothly.

Ingredients for Creamed Spinach with Cream Cheese

• Frozen spinach: Thaw the spinach and squeeze it really well to drain all of the water.
• Chive and onion cream cheese: Here’s a hack: Use flavored cream cheese instead of chopping and sauteing onion and garlic.
• Parmesan cheese: Consider grating your own cheese from a block that has good flavor.
• Mozzarella cheese: Shredded mozzarella is mild and melts smoothly.
• Butter: Rich butter makes this cream cheese spinach taste luxe.

Directions

Step 1: Combine the ingredients and cook

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Combine everything in a saucepan and cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until blended and warm, stirring frequently.

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Creamed Spinach with Cream Cheese Variations

• Use traditional onion and garlic: If you don’t have or want to use flavored cream cheese, use half the butter to saute one finely chopped yellow onion and two cloves of minced garlic. Then add the rest of the ingredients and stir until warm.
• Add nutmeg: Just a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg added during cooking adds a nutty, warm sweetness to the dish.
• Swap cheeses: If you want to boost flavor, trade mild mozzarella for a more flavor-forward, melty cheese such as Comté or gruyere.

How to Store Creamed Spinach with Cream Cheese

Store leftover creamed spinach in a covered container in the refrigerator for three to four days.

How do you reheat creamed spinach with cream cheese?

Gently reheat creamed spinach in a saucepan over low heat, adding a little milk or cream to loosen and add moisture.

Creamed Spinach with Cream Cheese Tips

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Can you make this recipe with fresh spinach?

If you prefer to use fresh spinach, stir in 3 pounds of baby spinach instead, which will give you the equivalent amount of two packages of frozen spinach.

What are some ways to add more flavor to this dish?

Some complain that creamed spinach can be a little bland. Other than tasting and adding salt as needed, stirring in a little crushed red pepper during cooking, or lemon juice at the end can add subtle heat and brighten the dish. Also, see the variation above for adding a pinch of nutmeg.

What can you serve with creamed spinach?

Creamed spinach is a classic steakhouse side, so create that same ambiance at home with a loaded baked potato and this butter-basted steak. It’s also a welcome dish during the holidays when you need vegetables in between the stuffing and the roasted turkey.