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The Ultimate Steakhouse Creamed Spinach: Rich, Creamy, and Ready in 20 Minutes

Close-up overhead shot of rich, vibrant green creamed spinach recipe in a rustic bowl with a spoon.
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Make restaurant-quality creamed spinach at home. This recipe delivers a rich, velvety side dish perfect for steak dinners or holiday meals, and you can finish it in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 small shallot, minced (or 1/4 cup yellow onion, finely diced)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 2 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch of ground nutmeg
  • 10 ounces fresh baby spinach (or 10 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. If using fresh spinach, wilt it first: Place the spinach in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the spinach wilts down completely, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the spinach, let it cool slightly, then squeeze out as much excess water as possible. Coarsely chop the spinach. If using frozen spinach, ensure it is fully thawed and squeezed very dry.
  2. Melt the butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the minced shallot and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Sprinkle the flour over the shallots and garlic. Stir constantly for 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste. This creates a roux.
  4. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream and milk until the mixture is smooth. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
  5. Reduce the heat to low. Add the cubed cream cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir until the cream cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
  6. Stir in the chopped, dried spinach until it is fully coated in the sauce.
  7. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce, making it extra creamy.
  8. Serve immediately as the best side dish for steak.

Notes

  • For a Keto creamed spinach version, substitute the flour with 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum added with the cream, or simply omit the flour and let the cream cheese thicken the sauce slowly over low heat.
  • If you prefer a smoother texture, you can blend half of the finished sauce mixture before adding the spinach back in.
  • This dish pairs well with chicken, seafood, or as a holiday side dish idea.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://completelyyummy.com/creamed-spinach-recipe/