Low Carb Easy Creamed Spinach Recipe

Our low carb easy creamed spinach recipe is the most delicious way to get your leafy greens. Made with a creamy sauce from cream cheese and heavy cream it will be your new favorite vegetable. We add a ton of flavor with parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes.

A bowl of creamy spinach and artichoke dip is placed on a wooden surface. The dip is thick and topped with melted cheese. A fork rests on the edge of the bowl. Part of the large baking dish with more dip is visible in the background.

Getting those vegetables in has never been more delicious.

We love taking our favorite recipes and showing you how they can be healthy. Even the most decadent ones can have tremendous health benefits.

Just like our OKRA FRIES, we show you how to take this leafy green veggie and make it your new favorite side dish.

Ingredients

We take some very basic ingredients and combine them to add a ton of flavor and creamy texture to this delicious dish.

A small bowl of creamy spinach artichoke dip garnished with melted cheese sits on a wooden table. The bowl has a blue and white pattern, and a gold fork rests on the edge. A larger dish of the dip is in the background.
  • Butter – to add a smooth and delicious flavor to the cream base.
  • Fresh Minced Garlic – it just goes good with everything.
  • Red Pepper Flakes – they add just a touch of spice without adding heat.
  • Chopped Spinach – the main star of the show. Fresh and full of that leafy green goodness.
  • Heavy Cream – for a smooth and creamy base for the cream.
  • Cream Cheese – a smooth addition to the cheeses.
  • Salt and Pepper – simple and delicious. We add just enough to brighten the dish.
  • Parmesan Cheese – a salty cheese touch.
  • Mozzarella Cheese – more tangy cheese to balance out the sweetness of the cream.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

We help keep the kitchen cool by doing most of the heavy lifting on top of the stove. We do suggest a broil time of 2 to 3 minutes to brown the cheeses.

A non-stick frying pan with a block of butter is placed on a gas stove. To the right, there is a wooden cutting board with a whisk, a clear bowl of minced garlic, and a salt or pepper shaker.

Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

A frying pan on a stove contains melting butter and minced garlic in the center. There are control knobs in the front and part of a person's arm reaching toward the right side of the image. An adjacent wooden countertop holds a salt shaker.

Add in fresh minced garlic, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Whisk to combine.

A person is holding a jar of crushed red pepper flakes over a stovetop. The stovetop has a skillet with bubbling sauce. The person is wearing several bracelets and a smartwatch. There is a wooden cutting board and a wire whisk on the right side of the image.

Add in 1/4 tsp dried red pepper flakes. Whisk to combine.

A person sautéing fresh spinach leaves in a skillet on a gas stove. A whisk, a small spice jar, and a portion of a wooden countertop are visible to the right of the stove.

Add in 16 oz fresh baby or chopped spinach.

A person is holding a ceramic bowl with a piece of butter over a frying pan with sautéed spinach. The frying pan is on a stove, and a whisk is visible on the right side of the wooden countertop.

Add in 3 oz of softened cream cheese.

A person's hand is pouring a liquid, possibly cream or milk, from a measuring cup into a frying pan on a stovetop. The frying pan contains chopped spinach and pieces of butter or cheese. A wooden spoon rests on the pan, and a whisk is on the countertop.

Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream.

A skillet filled with a creamy mixture, possibly a spinach or herb sauce, is situated on a stove with multiple burners. To the right, two small bowls contain additional ingredients, all on a wooden surface.
Whisk gently over low heat until cream cheese has melted and mixture has thickened.
A person is holding two bowls of grated cheese over a stovetop. The stovetop has a pan containing a creamy spinach mixture. One bowl has a larger amount of cheese than the other. The countertop is wooden, and the stove is black with four burners.

Top with 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup grated mozzarella. Place under the broiler for two to three minutes until cheese has browned.

A baking dish containing a cheesy spinach artichoke dip is next to a small plate. The small plate has a serving of the dip with a fork resting on it. The dish and plate are placed on a wooden surface.
A person wearing a white chef's hat and gray shirt is smiling and holding two wooden spoons. They are leaning forward over a white table next to a silver laptop displaying the Apple logo. The background is plain white.

Why Brooke loves this recipe!

Recipes are like antiques. They are meant to be handed down from one generation to another. Each one holding a special memory or nostalgic memory. Here is why we love this one!

Logo for "The Buttered Home" featuring a butter churn in the center enclosed by a circular design. The text "EST 2018" is on either side of the churn. Below the circle, the text reads "THE BUTTERED HOME" with the tagline "home cooking made easy" underneath.

Easy and healthy side dish recipes complement any meal. Vegetables are a no brainer to get much needed nutrients but are sometimes bland. Making side dishes like this easy and delicious creamed spinach recipe make having what we need a bit more enjoyable.

Substitutions

Surprisingly, the ingredients for this one are common and healthy. This easy side dish recipe is traditionally healthy but here are some suggestions on how to make it a little different.

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  • Spinach – Fresh is best but frozen can be used if thoroughly thawed and all of the excess water squeezed out. We like using fresh baby spinach but regular can be used, just chop well.
  • Cream Sauce – for more protein, you can use a bit of cottage cheese or sour cream to the sauce. Just deduct the amount you use from the cream cheese.
  • Spices – you can add a bit of nutmeg to enhance the flavor of the cheese and not alter the flavor of the dish. Also, adding a bit of lemon zest will brighten the flavor and add to the freshness of this easy keto friendly recipe.

Equipment

🔧 I love to share recipes that are no special equipment required but here are a few things that would definitely make this recipe easier!

Storage

Once cooled, this creamy spinach can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or in the oven.

This recipe does not freeze well.

A small bowl with a blue and white pattern contains a serving of baked spinach artichoke dip. The dip is creamy, topped with melted cheese, and a fork rests inside the bowl. A black baking dish is partially visible in the background.

Low Carb Easy Creamed Spinach Recipe

Our low carb easy creamed spinach recipe is the most delicious way to get your leafy greens. Made with a creamy sauce from cream cheese and heavy cream it will be your new favorite vegetable. We add a ton of flavor with parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Serving Size 8

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 tbsp garlic fresh, minced
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 16 oz baby spinach
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese grated

Instructions

  • Melt butter in a large skillet over low to medium heat. Add garlic, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Whisk to combine and cook just until garlic has softened.
    1/4 cup butter, 1 tbsp garlic, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper
  • Add spinach by the handful and mix in to wilt until all 16 oz has been added.
    16 oz baby spinach
  • Add heavy cream and cream cheese. Mix well and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes.
    1 cup heavy cream, 3 oz cream cheese
  • Remove from heat and sprinkle parmesan and mozzarella on top in an even layer. Place under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes until cheese has melted and slightly browned.
    1/2 cup parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

See How To Make It!

🍴 PRO TIP!

When adding the cream cheese, cut into small cubes before placing in the pan. This will speed up the time it takes to melt and will be more evenly distributed in the pan.

🗹 RECIPE FAQ’S

Adding the Spinach

Fresh spinach is bulky and if you add all 16 ounces at once it will likely be too much for the pan. I like to add half in, allow it to wilt and then add the other half.

Do I need to add something to thicken it?

No. The heavy cream, cream cheese and other cheeses are just the right amount. When the heat is added, they do all of the thickening work for you.

Can I use other cheeses?

Any light colored, creamy cheese will work great in this easy low carb side. Personally, I think gouda, havarti and brie would work great and add another depth of flavor.

How can I make it less creamy?

The easiest way is to cut your cheese and cream mixture by half. The more nutritious way, in my opinion is to simply double the amount of fresh baby spinach you use. More veggies, less cream.

🍽️ SERVING SUGGESTIONS. What goes great with this recipe? Let me tell you!

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Creamed Spinach:

LOVE THIS RECIPE? It would mean so very much to me if you would take a moment to rate this recipe and leave me a sweet comment in the recipe card below! ❤️❤️We hope you love all of the Southern and healthy recipes we share here at The Buttered Home and would love to see you back here often!

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Reader Review

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“I loved the freezer tips and made a double batch so we could enjoy some next week. This easy delicious recipe is a keeper.”

– Karen

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7 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    We love this recipe. It’s become my favorite way to sneak more greens into my kid’s diet without them realizing it.

  2. 5 stars
    I’m always looking for a way to get the kids to eat their veggies, and this one is a winner! Easy and delicious. Thanks!