Description
A classic, creamy, and flavorful creamed spinach recipe made with fresh spinach, shallots, garlic, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, perfect as a rich side dish for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Spinach and Base
- 20 ounces fresh spinach
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 shallots, diced (⅔ cup)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, grated
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced shallots, sea salt, and several grinds of black pepper. Cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are softened.
- Add garlic and flour: Stir in the grated garlic cloves, followed by the all-purpose flour, mixing well to combine and cook for about 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
- Create the cream sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and reduce the heat to low. Allow the mixture to simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 10 minutes, until the cream thickens sufficiently to coat the back of a spoon.
- Melt the cheese: Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese to the cream sauce and stir until the cheese is completely melted and integrated, creating a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Cook the spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, just until the spinach wilts. The sauce will thin slightly from the moisture released by the spinach.
- Thicken the sauce: Continue cooking the mixture for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the sauce to thicken again.
- Finish and season: Stir in the fresh lemon juice and adjust seasoning by adding more salt or pepper as needed. Serve warm as a delicious side dish.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts better and imparts more flavor than pre-grated cheese.
- Using fresh spinach ensures better texture and flavor compared to frozen spinach.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce the cream a bit longer before adding the cheese.
- Lemon juice adds brightness; adjust quantity to taste for the perfect balance.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
