Creamed Spinach Recipe

Prepare spinach

Rinse the spinach thoroughly and spin dry in a salad spinner or pat dry with clean kitchen towels. Remove any thick stems if present.

Wilt spinach

Place a large wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add the spinach in batches if necessary, letting it wilt a minute or two each batch. Using tongs, transfer wilted spinach to a large bowl. Repeat until all spinach is wilted. Let cool slightly, then squeeze out excess moisture in handfuls (or press in a fine-mesh sieve) until spinach is only lightly damp. Roughly chop the spinach and set aside.

Sweat aromatics

Wipe the skillet dry and reduce heat to medium. Add the butter. When it melts, add the diced onion and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent and soft, about 5–7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook 30–45 seconds more until fragrant, taking care not to brown the garlic.

Make roux

Sprinkle the flour over the softened onions and garlic and stir constantly for 1–2 minutes to cook the raw flour taste. The mixture should be bubbly and pasty but not browned.

Add liquids and cheeses

Gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth. Add the heavy cream and continue to whisk, bringing the sauce to a gentle simmer. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened. Reduce heat to low and whisk in the softened cream cheese until incorporated and smooth, then stir in the grated Parmesan.

Season sauce

Taste the cream sauce and add the nutmeg, kosher salt, and black pepper. Whisk to combine. Add the lemon juice to brighten the flavor and adjust salt and pepper to taste.

Combine spinach and sauce

Add the chopped, well-drained spinach to the skillet and stir until the leaves are evenly coated with the cream sauce. Cook over low heat for 1–2 minutes to heat through and let flavors meld. If the mixture seems too thick, thin with up to 2 tablespoons of milk.

Finish and serve

Transfer the creamed spinach to a serving bowl. Drizzle with the optional teaspoon of olive oil for sheen and extra flavor, and sprinkle a tiny pinch of extra grated Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately.