Garlic Parmesan Creamed Spinach
Silky-smooth spinach cooked with garlic and heavy cream, finished with a rich Parmesan sauce for a velvety keto side dish. This american-inspired keto ready in about 15 minutes pairs Spinach, Butter, Garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 10 oz Spinach
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 1/2 cup Heavy cream
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/8 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse spinach under cold water, drain well, and remove tough stems. Heat 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent browning.
- Step 3: Add 10 oz fresh spinach to skillet, stirring until wilted and reduced to half its volume (about 5 minutes).
- Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Cook 3-4 minutes, stirring until sauce thickens and coats the spinach.
- Step 5: Remove from heat immediately to prevent curdling, then serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Garlic Parmesan Creamed Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (5 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Garlic Parmesan Creamed Spinach?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spinach from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Garlic Parmesan Creamed Spinach?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Garlic Parmesan Creamed Spinach for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Garlic Parmesan Creamed Spinach?
American keto like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
