Cream Spinach
Cream Spinach is a rich, creamy side dish combining tender spinach with cream cheese, butter, and flavorful stuffing mix, perfect for family dinners or holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook and drain the frozen spinach.
- Melt the cream cheese and mix it with the cooked spinach.
- Sprinkle the herb stuffing mix and dot with butter on top of the spinach mixture.
- Bake in a 350°F oven for 30 minutes in a glass pie dish.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier texture, consider adding a splash of heavy cream or sour cream to the spinach and cream cheese mixture. If you want to add some flavor, mix in garlic powder or a pinch of nutmeg. You can substitute the frozen spinach with fresh spinach; just sauté it until wilted before draining. This dish pairs well with other American recipes, making it ideal for family gatherings.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this creamy spinach as a side dish alongside roasted chicken or steak for a comforting meal. It also makes a great addition to a holiday feast, pairing beautifully with Holiday Bars for dessert. Consider serving it with a fresh salad to balance the richness of the dish.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the spinach in a baking dish and cover with foil to prevent drying out. Bake at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes until heated through, or microwave in short intervals, stirring in between.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cream Spinach contains roughly 286 calories, with 5g protein, 4g carbohydrates, and 29g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (43% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C and iron.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?
Yes, you can use fresh spinach! Simply sauté about 1 pound of fresh spinach until wilted, then drain and chop it before mixing with the cream cheese. This will add a fresher taste to your cream spinach.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the spinach mixture and assemble it in the baking dish. Cover and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, simply add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
What can I add to enhance the flavor?
Consider adding sautéed onions or garlic for extra depth of flavor. You could also sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top before baking for a deliciously cheesy crust.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).