Creamed Spinach with Garlic and Nutmeg
In short: Spinach in a smooth garlic, cream cheese and Parmesan sauce, scented with nutmeg. A rich side for steak, roast chicken and holiday dinners. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 230 kcal
Creamed spinach is the side dish that makes a plain steak or roast chicken feel like a proper dinner. A quick white sauce built from butter, flour and milk is enriched with cream cheese and Parmesan, seasoned with garlic and a little nutmeg, then mixed with spinach that has been squeezed completely dry. Dry spinach matters, because any leftover water thins the sauce. Frozen spinach works well here, so it is also a cheap side.
Instructions
- Put the thawed spinach in a clean kitchen towel or a fine sieve and squeeze out as much water as you can, pressing hard. Chop it roughly if the pieces are large.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook for 3 minutes, until soft. Stir in the garlic for 30 seconds.
- Sprinkle the flour over the shallots and stir for 1 minute, so it cooks but does not brown.
- Pour in the warm milk a little at a time, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
- Lower the heat, add the cream cheese and Parmesan and stir until melted and smooth.
- Fold in the spinach, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring, until hot and creamy.
- Stir in the lemon juice, taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve hot.
Tips
- Squeeze the spinach until almost no water comes out, then squeeze it again. If the finished dish looks loose, simmer it for a few more minutes.
- For a golden top, spoon the creamed spinach into a small baking dish, sprinkle with extra Parmesan and broil for 2 minutes. A pinch of chili flakes adds gentle heat.
Questions and answers
Can I use fresh spinach for creamed spinach?
Yes. Wilt about 1.4 kg (3 lb) in batches, cool it, squeeze it very dry and use it as written.
Can I make creamed spinach ahead of time?
Yes. Make it up to 2 days ahead and reheat gently with a splash of milk. It also holds well in a low oven during a holiday meal.
Why is my creamed spinach watery?
The spinach still held water. Squeeze it harder next time, or simmer the sauce for a few more minutes to thicken it.
How long does it take to make Creamed Spinach with Garlic and Nutmeg?
About 30 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Creamed Spinach with Garlic and Nutmeg?
About 230 kcal per serving, with 9 g of protein, 13 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 230 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 13 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 480 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
