Ina Garten’s Dreamy Creamed Spinach Recipe For Cozy Nights

Creamed spinach, a luxurious emerald-hued delicacy, promises to revolutionize your dining experience with its silky, opulent embrace.

This culinary marvel transforms mundane greens into a tantalizing symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Velvety and rich, the dish whispers tales of comfort and sophistication in every sumptuous bite.

Green vegetables rarely receive such decadent treatment, elevating spinach from ordinary to extraordinary.

Professional kitchens and home cooks alike cherish this magical transformation of humble ingredients into a spectacular side dish.

The harmonious blend of earthy spinach and luscious cream creates an irresistible texture that beckons food lovers from all walks of life.

Get ready to fall in love with a classic recipe that turns simple ingredients into pure gastronomic poetry!

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 8

What’s Needed for Ina Garten Creamed Spinach

• Nutmeg: Choose fresh, whole nutmeg and grate it for maximum aromatic punch.
• Salt, Pepper: Opt for fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper for vibrant seasoning.

• Butter: Select high-quality, unsalted butter for rich, smooth flavor.
• Heavy Cream, Whole Milk: Pick organic, full-fat dairy for luxurious creaminess.
• Parmesan Cheese, Gruyere Cheese: Seek aged, authentic cheeses from specialty stores for deep, complex taste.

• Spinach: Select frozen spinach that's free from ice crystals and looks bright green.
• Onions: Pick firm, smooth-skinned onions with no soft spots or sprouting.

Items to Use for Ina Garten Creamed Spinach

• Oven: Essential for baking the spinach dish to golden perfection.
• Sauté pan: Perfect for softening onions and creating a creamy base.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add flour, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Baking dish: Ideal for transferring and baking the spinach mixture.
• Cheese grater: Useful for grating fresh Parmesan and Gruyere cheese.
• Colander or cheesecloth: Helps drain excess liquid from defrosted spinach.
• Mixing bowl: Optional for combining ingredients before transferring to baking dish.

Cooking Directions for Ina Garten Creamed Spinach

Transform Kitchen Chaos Into Spinach Magic

• Fire Up the Flavor Zone

Ignite your oven to a blazing 425°F, preparing for a culinary adventure that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Onion Transformation Ritual

Melt butter in a sauté pan over medium heat, gently coaxing onions into a tender, translucent wonderland. Let them soften and release their sweet essence for about 15 minutes.

• Sauce Seduction

Dust flour and nutmeg over caramelized onions, stirring with purpose. Pour in cream and milk, whisking until the mixture thickens into a velvety embrace that hugs every ingredient.

• Spinach Symphony

Liberate defrosted spinach from excess moisture, wringing out every last drop. Fold the emerald greens into your luxurious sauce, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

• Baked Cheese Crescendo

Sprinkle in Parmesan and season with salt and pepper. Transfer the spinach mixture to a baking dish, crown it with a generous layer of Parmesan and Gruyere. Slide into the waiting oven and bake for 20 minutes until the top turns golden and bubbling with irresistible promise.

Flavor Adjustments for Ina Garten Creamed Spinach

• Supercharge Your Spinach Bake: Pro Tips & Twists
• Minimize Moisture Magic: Always drain spinach thoroughly. Use a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth to squeeze out excess liquid, ensuring a creamy, not watery, final dish.
• Cheese Champion Swap: Feel free to experiment with cheese varieties. Swap Gruyere for sharp cheddar or fontina for a different flavor profile that keeps your taste buds guessing.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve. Perfect for busy weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.
• Crispy Topping Upgrade: Create a crunchy texture by adding breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter on top before baking. Panko works wonderfully for extra crispiness that adds a delightful contrast to the creamy spinach base.

Serve Ina Garten Creamed Spinach Right

• Pair with Protein: Serve this creamy spinach side alongside roasted chicken, grilled salmon, or juicy steak for a complete and satisfying meal.
• Create a Brunch Spread: Add this dish to your weekend brunch menu, complementing quiches, frittatas, or eggs benedict for a crowd-pleasing vegetable option.
• Elevate Your Dinner Party: Present the spinach gratin in an elegant baking dish, garnished with fresh herbs like parsley or chives to impress your guests with a sophisticated yet comforting side.
• Make It a Vegetarian Feast: Transform this side into a main course by serving it with crusty bread, a crisp green salad, and quinoa for a hearty vegetarian dinner.

Save Ina Garten Creamed Spinach for Later

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Make the spinach gratin up to 24 hours in advance and store covered in the refrigerator before baking, allowing flavors to meld and saving precious cooking time.
• Portion Control Magic: Divide the dish into individual ramekins for elegant single servings that reheat beautifully and prevent overcooking during second-round warming.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap the unbaked casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing it flat in the freezer for up to 3 months, perfect for unexpected dinner guests or quick weeknight meals.
• Reheat with Care: Gently warm leftover spinach gratin in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out and maintain that creamy, dreamy texture that makes this dish irresistible.

Silky Ina Garten Creamed Spinach Recipe

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4.8 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s creamed spinach brings classic comfort to dinner tables with rich, velvety goodness. Silky spinach and cream create a luxurious side dish that elevates any meal you serve.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 lbs (1.36 kg) frozen chopped spinach, defrosted
• 4 cups (600 g) chopped yellow onions (2 large)
• 1 cup (100 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup (50 g) grated Gruyere cheese
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 2 cups (480 ml) milk
• 4 tbsps (56 g) unsalted butter
• ¼ cup (30 g) flour
• 1 tbsp (15 g) kosher salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ tsp grated nutmeg

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Instructions

1. Preheat Preparation: Ignite the oven to a precise 425°F (218°C), positioning the rack centrally for uniform heat circulation.
2. Onion Transformation: In a generous sauté pan, melt butter over medium heat. Introduce finely chopped onions, gently coaxing them into a translucent, soft embrace through patient stirring for approximately 15 minutes.
3. Roux Formation: Dust the caramelized onions with flour and nutmeg, whisking meticulously to craft a smooth, aromatic base. Allow the mixture to simmer for 2 minutes, eliminating any raw flour undertones.
4. Sauce Development: Stream heavy cream and whole milk into the pan, whisking vigilantly to prevent lumps. Nurture the sauce until it achieves a luxurious, spoon-coating consistency that speaks of culinary refinement.
5. Spinach Integration: Thoroughly extract moisture from defrosted spinach using hands or a kitchen towel. Merge the liberated spinach into the velvety sauce, ensuring even distribution and maintaining the dish’s creamy integrity.
6. Flavor Amplification: Fold in Parmesan cheese, seasoning with kosher salt and black pepper. The cheese will introduce a nuanced depth that elevates the entire composition.
7. Final Assembly: Choreograph the creamy spinach mixture into a baking dish, creating an even landscape. Crown the surface with a lavish sprinkle of Parmesan and Gruyere cheeses, promising a golden, crisp exterior.
8. Baking Crescendo: Slide the dish into the preheated oven, allowing 20 minutes of transformative heat to melt the cheeses into a bubbling, bronzed masterpiece with delicately crisped edges.

Notes

• Squeeze Spinach Thoroughly: Remove every possible drop of moisture to prevent a watery, soggy dish and maintain the creamy, luxurious texture.
• Create Smooth Roux: Cook flour and onions for 2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste and develop a rich, deep flavor foundation.
• Choose Fresh Ingredients: Use freshly grated nutmeg and Parmesan for maximum flavor complexity and aromatic depth.
• Cheese Topping Technique: Sprinkle mixed cheeses evenly to create a golden, crispy crust that adds delightful textural contrast to the creamy spinach.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg