Homemade creamed spinach is a favorite of mine going way back to when I used to work at Boston Market. It was actually called Boston Chicken then. Remember that?? O.M.G. Am I old?
What makes Boston Market’s creamed spinach so good?
Boston Market’s creamed spinach is very rich and there’s a lot of spinach. Not too much cream which seems healthier and also better tasting.
Boston Market uses a blend of cream cheese and Parmesan cheese. However, if you don’t have Parmesan cheese on hand or don’t want to buy an extra ingredient, this creamed spinach recipe tastes just fine without it. I’ve made it both way.
If you’re looking to replicate Boston’s Market’s recipe at home, you’ll find adding a little Parmesan cheese will give you that familiar flavor.
What exactly makes this recipe for creamed spinach recipe better than others?
The secret ingredient that everyone is always surprised by and loves is the water chestnuts. The water chestnuts are very tiny but give an otherwise very creamy dish, a subtle crunch. They’re the perfect, refreshing complement to the rich flavor of the cream cheese too.
I’ve noticed even family members who don’t typically like spinach, usually go back for seconds. 😉
What ingredients do you need to make this homemade creamed spinach recipe?
Other than spinach of course, you will need: butter, flour, shallot, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, sea salt, white pepper, and water chestnuts.
What if you don’t have a shallot?
What I love about shallots is that you get the flavor of onion and garlic all in one shot. It makes this dish quick and easy to prep. However, if you don’t have a shallot handy or can’t easily find them at your grocery store, you can substitute chopped onions and minced garlic in place of the shallot.
How to make this creamed spinach — it’s quick and easy!
Watch this step-by-step video showing you how it’s done:
Creamed spinach is an easy holiday or pot luck side dish.
I love creamed spinach because it’s super easy to make and is a great alternative to green bean casserole for holiday get-togethers which, for us, typically happens for birthdays and other holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter.
Creamed spinach freezes well.
Just reheat using the microwave or in a small pot on the stove, stirring while you reheat.
Easy Enough for Weeknights
You can make ahead and freeze and eat but it’s also easy enough to whip up as a side dish for a weeknight meal.
Just cut the recipe down according to your family size or make a big batch and freeze the leftovers for another day.
Want a creamier texture?
Add a little extra milk or creamer if it looks too dry. Sometimes the milk evaporates during the cooking process so, simply add some back in if that happens. You can add more milk at any time during the cooking process just give it a little time to heat up if you add it at the end.
Pin this creamed spinach recipe now so you can make it later!
Want more side dish ideas?
I have a few for you! Browse all my side dish recipes.
Helpful tool for making this creamed spinach recipe:
Dutch Oven – Go from stove top to oven without changing pots
Oven Safe Casserole Dish – If you don’t want to invest in a dutch oven, a big casserole dish is perfect for transporting and reheating this side dish.
Silicon Whisk – Silicon so you don’t scratch your cookware
Ceramic Knife – Foods don’t stick to it and then roll away!
Cutting board – A no-brainier but maybe it’s time to upgrade yours or get a back up?
Silicon Spatula – Useful for scraping sides while stirring
Butter Dish with Lid – Room temperature butter is easier to work with.
Vintage Salt and Pepper Shakers – Okay, you don’t need these but I’m obsessed with mine. It literally makes me happy to shake salt.
While you’re here, check out my other popular recipes.
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This Boston-Market style easy creamed spinach recipe was featured on Wow Me Wednesday, Hearth & Soul, Menu Plan Monday, Meal Plan Monday and South Your Mouth!
Easy Homemade Creamed Spinach
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 large shallot diced
- 1 ½ cups milk or MORE as desired to thin out sauce
- 4 oz whipped cream cheese softened
- 2 tbsp shredded Parmesan cheese or more to taste
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp sea salt or more to taste
- ¼ tsp white pepper or more to taste
- 40 oz chopped frozen spinach, thawed and pressed 4 blocks
- 4 oz water chestnuts drained and minced
Instructions
- Thaw and press excess water from spinach using a colander. Set aside.
- In a small dutch oven or large skillet, saute shallots in butter over medium heat until translucent.
- Then whisk in flour until thick. Let bubble for about 1-2 minutes to reduce the floury taste.
- Slowly pour in milk then add cream cheese and parmesan cheese. Stir until a thick sauce is formed. Add salt, nutmeg and white pepper.
- Stir in spinach and minced water chestnuts until thoroughly mixed. Let cook over low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally then it's ready to serve!
- If you need to transport this, put it in your crockpot and set to warm.
Donna A Pollock
Friday 24th of September 2021
The best creamed spinich I have ever had. I love the recipe. I myself used half and half instead of mik to make it richer. It was so good. I could have eaten the whole pan of it. Thank you
Angela G.
Saturday 25th of September 2021
Hi Donna, glad you liked it so much! I freeze it in sections snd gave it for lunch sometimes.
Diane
Friday 24th of September 2021
This creamed spinach sounds good. When my grandmother made it, she would brown the chopped onion in butter, pour in heavy cream and then the spinach and cook it until done. It was delicious.
Judy
Thursday 26th of August 2021
Would this Creamed Spinach freeze well?
Angela G.
Thursday 26th of August 2021
Yes, it freezes very well. Just reheat it on the stovetop or microwave it. Stir until it's evenly heated.
Mikala
Friday 25th of June 2021
Loved this! The water chestnuts are phenomenal.
Angela G.
Friday 25th of June 2021
Hi Mikala, glad you enjoy the recipe and the water chestnuts — that’s my favorite part too!
Claudia
Tuesday 6th of April 2021
Can cream cheese from a block be used or must it be whipped cream cheese? Thanks
Angela G.
Tuesday 6th of April 2021
Hi Claudia, block cream cheese works just fine, it just might take a little longer to melt and blend in which is why I prefer the whipped if possible.