Creamed Spinach
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Classic steakhouse creamed spinach made with frozen spinach is a truly loved old-fashioned favorite side dish.
Whipped up incredibly quickly in a cast iron pan, creamed spinach takes just about 15 minutes, making it one of the quickest recipes to enjoy in a pinch.
Perfect with grilled steak or chicken, there is a reason that flavorful and creamy spinach is one of the main sides offered in fancy restaurants.
Ingredients
- Frozen spinach is thawed and drained of excess moisture; using frozen spinach keeps this dish as simple and as quick as possible.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: while it may be tempting to use shaved or shredded Parmesan cheese, it melts differently and wont work. Be sure to use grated.
- White onion & minced garlic, cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, salt & black pepper
How to make Creamed Spinach with Frozen Spinach
Start by dicing up that 1/2 cup of white onion into neat, little cubes. Heat up a pan over medium heat and pour in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Toss in your diced onions and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic. Stir them around and let them sauté for about 3 minutes.
Grab your 24 oz. of thawed and drained spinach and introduce it to the pan. Give everything a good mix. Pop a lid on the pan and let the mix simmer on medium heat for about 6 minutes. Peek in occasionally and stir things around to make sure nothing sticks and burns.
Break the block of cream cheese into smaller chunks for easier melting and dot them around the pan. Pour in 2 tablespoons of whipping cream, sprinkle in the 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan, and add a teaspoon of sugar. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
Stir everything together for about 5-7 minutes until cream cheese is fully melted and incorporated into the spinach. Once everything is creamy, take the pan off the heat. Serve your creamy spinach hot, right out of the pan, and watch it disappear!
Frozen vs Fresh Spinach
Creamed spinach can be made with fresh spinach over frozen. There are two ways to handle fresh spinach leaves.
- Remove stems and chop down any excessively large leaves. Add butter to the pan and cook the spinach, which takes about 3–4 minutes. Proceed with the rest of the recipe as is.
- The other way is to add about a pan of spinach leaves into a pan with onion, garlic, and butter, then add the creamed cheese directly, cooking the leaves as you go.
Customize this Side Dish
To make your creamed spinach even better, here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind:
Customize the Creamy Sauce: Adjust the consistency of the creamed spinach by adding more or less heavy cream. If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer it for a few extra minutes to reduce the liquid.
Experiment with Seasonings: Feel free to experiment with different seasonings to enhance the flavor of your creamed spinach. Some popular options include nutmeg, garlic powder, or lemon juice.
What to serve with Creamed Spinach
Creamed spinach pairs well with a variety of main dishes. Here are some serving suggestions and pairing options to inspire you:
- Serve creamed spinach alongside a skirt steak, steak bites or baked chicken breast for a classic steakhouse-style meal.
- Pair creamed spinach with a salmon recipe or seared scallops for an elegant seafood dinner.
- Use creamed spinach as a filling for stuffed mushrooms or as a topping for baked potatoes.
Common Questions
Yes, it can; however, cream cheese will solidify back in the fridge, so it needs to be appropriately heated again before serving.
This recipe is more straightforward. However, to achieve Morton’s Steakhouse-creamed spinach, use fresh spinach and add a cup of mozzarella to melt down.
More Spinach Ideas you’ll love!
Steakhouse Creamed Spinach
Equipment
- Cast Iron or Non Stick Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced white onion
- 1 tbsp. minced garlic
- 24 oz. frozen spinach – thawed and drained
- 8 oz. creamed cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp. whipping cream
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese *Optional for Steakhouse version
Instructions
- Start by dicing 1/2 cup of White Onion.1/2 cup diced white onion
- Heat 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil in a pan. Add the diced onions andminced garlic. Sauté for about 3 minutes until they're fragrant and slightly golden.2 tbsp. olive oil, 1 tbsp. minced garlic
- Introduce thawed and drained Spinach to the pan. Stir well to mix with the onion and garlic.24 oz. frozen spinach
- Cover and let everything simmer on medium heat for about 6 minutes. Remember to stir occasionally to ensure even cooking and prevent any sticking to the pan.
- Next, add chunks Cream Cheese around the pan. Pour in Heavy Whipping Cream, grated Parmesan Cheese, white granulated sugar, and season generously with Salt & Pepper. If wanting a steakhouse version, add 1 cup of shredded mozzarella to this part of the recipe.8 oz. creamed cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp sugar, salt & pepper, 2 tbsp. whipping cream
- Stir everything together and continue to cook. As the cream cheese melts, keep stirring to blend all ingredients smoothly. Continuous stirring is crucial to prevent any lumps and ensure a smooth texture in the creamed spinach. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Once everything is combined and the cream cheese is fully melted, it is ready to serve as a side dish.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.
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