Easy and elegant, creamed spinach is a savory addition to any meal.
Fresh or frozen spinach is cooked in a simple cream cheese sauce with a handful of seasonings for a rich, creamy, garlicky side dish!

Your Search for the Best Creamed Spinach Recipe Ends Here…
- It’s a creamy and rich sauce, made with cream cheese and cream.
- The spinach adds a bright color and earthy flavorful undertones to the dish.
- A bit of butter pulls the flavors together making this indulgent and comforting.
- The result is creamy, savory, and slightly sweet.
Essential Ingredients
Spinach: Fresh spinach or baby spinach will produce the best results. To use frozen spinach, thaw and squeeze out the excess moisture.
Sauce: Cream cheese and heavy whipping cream are the base for this recipe. Use room-temperature cream cheese (full-fat or light) for faster blending.
Seasonings: A little garlic powder (or minced garlic cloves) and a dash of homemade seasoned salt are all it takes to elevate the flavors of creamed spinach.
Make It Your Own
- Sliced mushrooms, chopped artichoke hearts, sliced water chestnuts, bacon bits, and even a sprinkle of parmesan cheese will add extra flavor and texture to creamed spinach.
- Add in a pinch of nutmeg, or switch up the seasoning to match the menu and add some Italian or a Greek blend.
How to Make Creamed Spinach
- Cook prepped spinach and then the onions until tender (full recipe below).
- Add cream cheese, whisk in the remaining ingredients, and simmer.
- Stir spinach into the cream sauce and season before serving.
Quick Steps to Savor the Flavor
Keep leftover creamed spinach in a covered container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave with a little milk to loosen the sauce. Toss leftovers in a creamy spinach pasta or a hearty spinach artichoke casserole.
More Superb Spinach Recipes
Did your family enjoy this creamed spinach recipe? Leave a rating and comment below.
Creamed Spinach Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 pound fresh spinach or 10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- ¼ cup yellow onion minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 ounces cream cheese softened, cubed
- ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon seasoned salt
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash and dry the spinach leaves if using fresh. Pinch off any tough stems and roughly chop the spinach.
- Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook the spinach until wilted, about 3 minutes. Remove from the pan and place in a strainer to drain.
- Reduce the heat to medium low and add the onion and butter to the skillet. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until tender.
- Add the cream cheese and stir until melted.
- Whisk in the heavy cream, garlic powder, and salt. Simmer 1 to 2 minutes or until thickened.
- Gently squeeze any excess liquid from the spinach and stir it into the cream sauce. Taste and season with additional seasoned salt and pepper.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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So good! I had never tried cream cheese before and it makes a big difference. I do grate fresh parmesan cheese and some gruyere in as well. Many thanks. This is the second recipe I have tried which is improved with cream cheese (I also use it instead of sour cream in my mashed potatoes). Excellent
So easy and so delicious! Will definitely be making this recipe again! Love all spend with pennies recipes!
Oooooh, this was really good! I didn’t think my Hubs would go for it, but he loved it. I used fresh garlic with shallots, and sprinkled a pinch of sugar. Delicious. This will be a repeat at our house!
This recipe is 100% amazing. I am so picky, I did not change the thing, this is amazing.
100 % perfect recipe. Delish x1000
This is excellent as is…. I added some chopped artichoke hearts just for added vegetables. Delicious and simple to,prepare!
So happy you enjoyed it, Joanne!
I’d like to fill large cooked pasta shells with this delicious creamed spinach. Would a double recipe be too much for a 12 oz box of shells? (Of course any leftover creamed spinach would be for the cook!) This sounds amazing, thanks for another wonderful recipe!
RB
I haven’t tried using this recipe to stuff shells so I can’t say for sure R, but I think a double recipe should be about perfect. If you try it I would love to hear how it turns out!
How can I reheat this?
You want to reheat slowly over low heat so the sauce doesn’t split. Enjoy!
This truly is better than any steak house including Ruth’s Chris, Mortons, Malones, Buckhorn etc..
Yay! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe William!
Great recipe loved it delicioso next time I’m going to use baby spinach 2 8 oz bags it needed more spinach and I only use fresh spinach thank you for the recipe it was really easy and it was delicious
I am so glad you loved this recipe Candace!
I have made this recipe several times with great results. When I’m in a pinch with what to do with chicken, I have scored chicken breasts, cook partially, cover with the spinach mixture and continue to bake – creamy, cheesy, spinach topped yummy chicken! I do make the sauce a little thinner so as it bakes the liquid doesn’t evaporate leaving a paste of spinach. Rice on the side to soak up some juices. Delish!
Thank you for sharing Laura! So happy to hear that you love this spinach so much!
Excellent and easy! I make this whenever I cook salmon. Perfect together!
Mmmm, this recipe would be a delicious side for Salmon! Good choice, Melanie.
Can you leave on the stems to the spinach?
The stems on spinach tend to be a bit tough (unless it is baby spinach) so I recommend removing them. Let us know if you try it with the stems on!
I love recipes , I need something different to cook .
Enjoy Sheila, we have lots of great dishes to choose from.
Can this be used to make spinach pie as well?
That sounds like a delicious idea but we have never tried it Joanna! We do have a yummy spanakopita recipe you could try as well :)
Yummy!!!! I added a little bit of shredded Parmesan. We loved this!
Great addition Shannon!
I’ve searched for a very long time for a delicious, from-scratch creamed spinach recipe that doesn’t involve a can of creamed soup and this fit the bill. I added a little more cream as mine thickened up too quickly but this is definitely a keeper!
Thank you so much for sharing. :-)
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe Kelly!
Love spinach any way great recipe
Thank you Dianne!
I LOVE ALL OF YOUR RECIPES!
Thank you Patrina!