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.
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.
- 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.
Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add in fresh minced garlic, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Whisk to combine.
Add in 1/4 tsp dried red pepper flakes. Whisk to combine.
Add in 16 oz fresh baby or chopped spinach.
Add in 3 oz of softened cream cheese.
Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream.
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.
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!
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!
- My favorite FLAT WHISK
- The best BOX GRATER and storage box.
- The best everyday SKILLET.
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.
Low Carb Easy Creamed Spinach Recipe
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
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.
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.
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.
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:
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Reader Review
“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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I hope you all love this as much as we do!
This worked so well and was delicious!
These turned out so great! My kids (who usually hate spinach anything) actually loved it!
We love this recipe. It’s become my favorite way to sneak more greens into my kid’s diet without them realizing it.
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!
My family loved this! So fast and easy dinner.
This went perfectly with a couple of ribeyes that we grilled. So good!