Spinach is rich in iron, exactly what you need to ward off disease and boost your immunity naturally. And for those who are not big on spinach, we promise you that these creamy spinach recipes will make you rethink spinach and re-add it to your diet.
By Mariam Elhamy
Creamy Spinach and Parmesan Croissant
Upgrade your breakfast or brunch game this weekend with the ultimate savoury croissant made in under 15 mins, oozing with creamy spinach and a golden runny egg. Yum!
- 2 tsps olive oil
- 1 small garlic clove, finely chopped
- 40ml single cream
- 80g baby spinach
- 1 croissant cut in half lengthways
- 1 egg
- 15g grated Parmesan
- ½ tsp crushed chillies
- black pepper
Method:
- Preheat the oven to gas 4, 180°C, fan 160°C. Heat 1 tsp of olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat, add the garlic and fry for 1 min. Add the single cream and spinach and cook for 3 mins to wilt, stirring occasionally. Add two-thirds of the cheese to the spinach and season. Continue to cook for 1-2 mins until thickened slightly.
- Heat the remaining oil in a nonstick frying pan over medium heat and fry the egg for 3-4 mins or until the white is set but the yolk still runny.
- Spoon the spinach onto the bottom half of the croissant, top with the fried egg, sprinkle with the final third of the cheese and season with crushed chillies and some black pepper. Finish with the croissant top and enjoy.
Creamy Spinach Dip
One of the best dips we’ve ever had, honest to god. You will be licking the bowl after it’s finished and the best part is that you can pair it with any bread or crunchy nachos.
Ingredients:
- 600g baby spinach
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 100g cream cheese
- Kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper and a pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
Method:
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook spinach for 30 seconds. Drain and place in a bowl of ice water. Then drain and squeeze out as much excess water as possible.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add onion and cook until soft, 5 mins. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 min. spinach recipes
- Add milk, heavy cream, and cream cheese to skillet. Simmer until cream cheese is melted. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of cayenne.
- Add spinach and Parmesan and stir to combine.
Creamed Spinach Stuffed Salmon
Creamy spinach save the day again! This dish is not only very easy to make, it’s a full meal by itself and it has a lot of the nutrients that your body needs.- 4 (170g) salmon fillets
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 (230g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup frozen spinach, defrosted
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
Method:
- Season salmon all over with salt and pepper. In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese, mozzarella, spinach, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.
- Using a paring knife, slice a slit in each salmon to create a pocket. Stuff pockets with cream cheese mixture.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add salmon skin side down and cook until seared, about 6 mins, then flip salmon. Add butter and squeeze lemon juice all over. Cook until skin is crispy, another 6 mins. Serve warm.
Spinach & Artichoke Stuffed Burgers
Can we just take a minute to admire this baby? Bet you never thought that spinach and burgers could go together. This is a recipe that everyone will absolutely love on bbq day.
Ingredients:
- 100g cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- 1/2 cup frozen spinach, defrosted
- 1/2 cup chopped artichoke hearts
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, kosher salt and ground black pepper
- 600g ground beef spinach recipes
- 4 Hamburger buns
- Vegetable oil, for brushing
Method:
- In a bowl, combine cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, spinach, artichoke hearts, garlic and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper and mix well.
- Separate beef into 8 thin patties. Place a large dollop of the cream cheese mixture into the middle of a patty. Place another patty on top and pinch the seams together. Repeat with remaining patties.
- Season patties with salt and pepper and refrigerate until ready to grill.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grease with vegetable oil then add the patties. Grill until cooked as preferred, 4 mins per side for medium. Place on buns and serve.
Creamy Spinach Soup
If you like to drink your nutrients this creamy soup has everything you want. Sip and pair it up with some garlic bread or croutons.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 bunch green onions, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 potato, peeled and chopped into cubes
- 450g spinach, thick stems trimmed
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 heavy cream, plus more for garnish
Method:
- In a large pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and green onions and cook until soft, about 5 mins. Stir in garlic, then add potato and spinach.
- Pour over broth and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally until spinach is bright green, and potatoes are tender, 15 mins. Season with salt and pepper.
- Use an immersion blender to blend soup until smooth. Stir in cream.
- Garnish with more cream and croutons.
Creamy Quinoa with Chicken and Spinach
Now this is a winner! Dive into creamy quinoa, chicken and spinach. The ultimate kinda-healthy-kinda-not delicious spinach recipe.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into pieces
- kosher salt and ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp butter spinach recipes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken stock
- 2 cups shredded cheddar, divided
- 230g baby spinach, chopped
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
Method:
- In a medium pot, cook quinoa according to package directions.
- In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, heat oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then sear chicken on both sides until golden brown. Transfer to a plate.
- Return pan to medium heat. Add butter and sauté garlic and onions until softened. Add cream and chicken stock; bring to a boil and simmer until slightly reduced, 3 mins. Stir in 1 cup cheese and spinach. Fold in quinoa and chicken, then top with remaining cheese. Cover pan and simmer until the cheese is bubbling, 3 to 4 mins.
- Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Cheesy Spinach Pesto Flatbread
We dare you to try to keep your hands off these before dinner time because they will be gone in seconds. Great as an appetizer with a little shake of red pepper flakes to heat things up!
Ingredients:
- 2 packaged naan flatbreads or 1 cooked thin-crust pizza crust
- 1/2 cup pesto
- 170g fresh mozzarella, shredded
- 1/3 cup baby spinach
- crushed red pepper flakes
Method:
- Preheat oven to 425ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spread pesto evenly over flatbreads or pizza crust. Sprinkle evenly with mozzarella, top with spinach, then sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
- Bake until cheese is bubbling, 10 to 13 mins. Remove from oven and slice warm.
Mac & Cheese with Italian Sausage and Spinach
So easy and so yummy too! Mac & Cheese surprisingly goes well with spinach, add in the Italian sausage and you’ve got yourself a meal. spinach recipes
Ingredients:
- 2 boxes Mac & Cheese
- 230g Italian sausages, sliced into rounds
- 3 cups baby spinach
Method:
- Cook the Mac & Cheese according to package directions.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook sausage until browned. Add spinach and cook until wilted, 2 mins.
- Heat broiler. Transfer the Macaroni to an ovenproof skillet. Stir in sausage and spinach until fully combined, then broil until golden, 3 mins.
