This simple Steakhouse Creamed Spinach is such an amazing side dish recipe! It pairs with just about every meat & poultry and its super fast to make! Plus if you are watching your carbs it's a keto creamed spinach recipe as well.
Growing up, I gave my parents a run for their money when it came to my eating habits. Of 5 kids I was hands down the pickiest eater. I hit my chewed meat in all sorts of places, only liked my vegetables raw and was know to sit at the dinner table for hours when I just wasn't going to eat my meal, lol!
The cooked first vegetable, besides corn and potatoes, that would eat was creamed spinach. Specifically, Seabrook Farms Creamed Spinach. Years later I started making it myself. Mmmm-mmm!
Creamed spinach is a delicious side dish that pairs well with many entrees. The subtle flavor and creaminess of the spinach complements many different proteins. The classic pairing is with a pan seared or grilled steak.
Table of Contents
Why you'll love this easy recipe
- This steakhouse creamed spinach is a quick and easy creamed spinach recipe with amazing flavor!
- It can be a flourless creamed spinach recipe, making it keto friendly. Or if flour is an issue. OR you can make it with flour. Delish either way.
- It pairs so well with steak however its just as good on its own or paired with another protein.
- A lot of recipes you may come across make a roux using flour for their classic creamed spinach, I personally do not feel using flour is necessary as I would rather enjoy more spinach than cheese and flour goo lol!
This gluten free creamed spinach also compliments roast chicken or turkey nicely. Whatever your main course, this easy creamed spinach recipe is sure to be a delicious and satisfying side dish.
Can I make creamed spinach from frozen spinach?
Yes! That is actually my preferred way to make it. I thinks its quicker to use frozen spinach.
Can I make Cream Spinach from fresh spinach?
You can of course use fresh spinach to make creamed spinach however first you need to wilt the spinach, cool it and squeeze it dry.
Can I make this ahead of time?
I suggest you have your ingredients to make creamed spinach at the ready and make just before eating. It takes less that 10 minutes to make (closer to 5) and tastes best freshly made.
Tips
- Look for frozen chopped spinach. If you can't find that, after thawing, rough chop it yourself. Same goes for if choosing to use fresh spinach, after wilting and drying it out, give it a rough chop. It's a better eating experience.
- For a thicker creamed spinach recipe, add in 1 TBS flour. See notes in recipe card.
- Have all ingredients in place, portioned out and ready to go before you begin. This side dish recipe is made quickly.
- If serving with a steak or other protein, I typically make this spinach recipe as the meat rests.
- If you have it use freshly grated Parmesan as it tastes best and doesn't contain drying chemicals.
Ingredients
- frozen chopped spinach
- butter
- garlic & onion
- parmesan cheese
- heavy cream
- salt & pepper and red pepper flakes for a pop of heat
Variations
- Some use cream cheese instead of heavy cream for a thicker consistency. Both taste good. Use what you have. I prefer Parmesan or Parmesan- Reggiano. The better quality your cheese is the better quality your creamed spinach will be IMO.
- For a thicker creamed spinach recipe, add in 1 TBS flour to make a roux. If I am making a quadruple batch of this for a crowd, I do add in flour. Keeps it more stable.
- Make this a little spicy if you like by adding red pepper flakes. You can also make a topping of crushed crackers mixed with a bit of melted butter.
- You can choose to leave out the onion, however I think it gives nice flavor.
What to serve this with
Steak!! Any sort of steak pairs so well with this. Beef, bison, elk, venison are all delicious. Same goes for a roast chicken, roast pork, roast lamb or veal.
Can I make Vegan Creamed Spinach recipe?
Sure, you will just need to swap out the cheese and cream for vegan friendly alternatives.
Whichever way you choose to make this spinach recipe, I think its the best cream spinach recipe. Hope you do too! XO - Colleen
Vegetable recipes you'll love
Steakhouse Style Creamed Spinach
Ingredients
- 2.5 TBS butter
- 2 TBS chopped onion
- 1 TBS fresh garlic (about 2 cloves, more if you love garlic)
- 1 TBS flour optional
- red pepper flakes optional
- 1 box or bag frozen chopped spinach thawed and squeezed dry
- S&P careful with the salt as the cheese is also salty.
- ¼ cup heavy cream more or less
- ⅓ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- extra butter if needed
Instructions
- Melt butter in a medium skillet over med-high heat, add in onions. garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté 2 minutes, moving things around.
- If adding in flour do so here, stir well and cook off the raw taste of the flour for about a minute.
- Lower the heat. Add spinach (that has been defrosted and squeezed dry), cheese and a little of the cream and break up spinach stirring vigorously with a spatula or spoon.
- Season well with black pepper (don't be shy) and some salt. However not too much salt since yo are adding in some cheese.
- Move pan on and off the heat if you feel its too hot. Do not run the risk of "breaking" the cheese because its too high of heat.
- Add in additional cream and S&P. Taste and adjust.
- Enjoy immediately.
Kristina says
This spinach recipe is the only way I can get my husband to eat cooked spinach, it's that good! We routinely make it with easy chicken and steak meals and it makes a great side.
Lisa Grant says
I love this spinach with steak and the leftovers are great in an omelette!
Colleen says
Haha, we never have leftovers! However that sounds like a tasty idea!
Kristin says
Finally! A vegetable side dish that my kids will actually eat without complaining! I skipped the red pepper flakes because they don't like spicy stuff, but it still had amazing flavor. Thanks for the great recipe.
Colleen says
SO awesome to hear!!