Creamed Spinach

Name: Creamed Spinach
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 stick unsalted butter (1 stick); 8 tbsp all-purpose flour; 0.5 yellow onion, finely diced; 3 clove garlic cloves, finely minced; 2 c whole milk, room temperature; salt; freshly ground black pepper; 1 pinch ground nutmeg, preferably freshly grated; 3 tbsp unsalted butter; 24 oz fresh baby spinach leaves

Rich Restaurant-Style Creamed Spinach

The secret to velvety creamed spinach lies in a proper blonde roux — cooked just long enough to eliminate any raw flour taste while building a silky base for the cream sauce. Fresh nutmeg makes all the difference here, adding warmth that complements the earthy spinach without overwhelming it.

AmericanSide DishVegetarianComfort FoodQuick Meals

Prep10 min

Cook15 min

Total25 min

Servings6

Difficultymedium

Ingredients

1 stickunsalted butter (1 stick)
8 tbspall-purpose flour
½ yellow onion, finely diced
3 clovegarlic cloves, finely minced
2 cwhole milk, room temperature
salt
freshly ground black pepper
1 pinchground nutmeg, preferably freshly grated
3 tbspunsalted butter
24 ozfresh baby spinach leaves

Instructions

Melt the stick of butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Once fully melted, whisk in the flour and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture turns a light golden color — this blonde roux eliminates the raw flour taste and creates the foundation for a smooth sauce.
⏱ 5 min
Stir in the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking just until fragrant and the onion begins to soften. You want to bloom the garlic's flavor without browning it.
⏱ 1 min
Gradually pour in the milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Keep whisking as the sauce simmers and thickens — it should coat the back of a spoon when ready.
⏱ 5 min
In a separate large pot, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the spinach in handfuls, stirring frequently as each batch wilts down dramatically before adding the next. The spinach will release quite a bit of moisture, which is normal.
⏱ 5 min
Season your cream sauce with salt, pepper, and the nutmeg — taste as you go since the saltiness can vary. Gently fold the wilted spinach into the cream sauce, stirring just enough to coat evenly. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.