Easy Creamy Spinach Recipe with Parmesan Cheese
Easy Creamy Spinach Recipe with Parmesan Cheese is the ultimate creamy, comforting side dish that’s ready in just 20 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to preventing a watery sauce. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Crispy Salmon Cakes and Crispy Spicy Baked Chicken Wings.
Why This Easy Creamy Spinach Recipe with Parmesan Cheese Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy and comforting
- Better than takeout
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Perfect with Easy Crispy Salmon Cakes
What You'll Need for Easy Creamy Spinach Recipe with Parmesan Cheese
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 16 oz fresh spinach
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Optional: Additional parmesan cheese, for garnish
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Spinach: Fresh spinach works best, but frozen can be used in a pinch.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- High-quality non-stick skillet — Prevents sticking and ensures even cooking. → See on Amazon
- Microplane Zester Grater — Makes quick work of grating garlic and parmesan cheese. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Creamy Spinach Recipe with Parmesan Cheese
- Step 1: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Step 3: Pour in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Step 4: Stir in parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 5: Serve immediately, garnished with additional parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy with Easy Crispy Salmon Cakes or Crispy Spicy Baked Chicken Wings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Creamy Spinach Recipe with Parmesan Cheese
- Common mistake and fix: The #1 reason this recipe fails is adding too much cream, which results in a watery sauce. To prevent this, use just 1 cup of cream and let the sauce simmer and reduce for 5 minutes.
- Time-saving tip: Prepare the garlic and grate the parmesan cheese while the spinach is wilting to save time.
- Make-ahead tip: Creamy spinach can be made ahead and reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop. Add a little extra cream when reheating to maintain the creamy texture.
Storing & Reheating Easy Creamy Spinach Recipe with Parmesan Cheese
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Creamy spinach can be made ahead and reheated as needed.
Freezing Easy Creamy Spinach Recipe with Parmesan Cheese
Creamy spinach can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to blend the spinach and cream together after cooking.
- Best substitution: Heavy cream can be substituted with half-and-half or milk for a lighter version.
- Make-ahead: Creamy spinach can be made ahead and reheated as needed.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with a little milk or cream.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality non-stick skillet — Prevents sticking and ensures even cooking. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Creamy Spinach Recipe with Parmesan Cheese
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 16 oz fresh spinach
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Additional parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Step 3: Pour in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Step 4: Stir in parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 5: Serve immediately, garnished with additional parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy with Easy Crispy Salmon Cakes or Crispy Spicy Baked Chicken Wings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to blend the spinach and cream together after cooking.
- Best substitution: Heavy cream can be substituted with half-and-half or milk for a lighter version.
- Make-ahead: Creamy spinach can be made ahead and reheated as needed.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with a little milk or cream.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Creamy spinach can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Make ahead: Creamy spinach can be made ahead and reheated as needed.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 170
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 16g
- Carbs: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sat. Fat: 10g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Creamy Spinach Recipe with Parmesan Cheese FAQs
Yes, creamy spinach can be made ahead and reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop. Add a little extra cream when reheating to maintain the creamy texture.
The #1 reason this recipe fails is adding too much cream, which results in a watery sauce. To prevent this, use just 1 cup of cream and let the sauce simmer and reduce for 5 minutes.
No, creamy spinach should be made on the stovetop in a skillet. The air fryer is not suitable for this recipe.
Heavy cream can be substituted with half-and-half or milk for a lighter version. For a non-dairy alternative, use canned coconut milk.
Yes, creamy spinach can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Creamy Spinach Recipe with Parmesan Cheese and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
