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You are here: Home / Recipes / Side Dishes / Keto Creamed Spinach

Keto Creamed Spinach

Published September 8, 2020 by Lauren Vavala

Thanks for sharing!

Keto Creamed Spinach is a low carb, gluten free adaptation of traditional creamed spinach. Fresh, healthy spinach is cooked in a creamy, cheesy sauce that is incredibly rich and flavorful. Even the pickiest of eaters will love this delicious side dish.

Overhead Keto Creamed Spinach with a wood turner on a wood board with a blue and white towel in the background

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I’ve never been a huge spinach lover, but have always eaten it here and there. However, if you smother it in a cream and cheese sauce just like in this recipe for Tuscan Spaghetti Squash, I’m all for it!

While following a keto diet, one can get bored with the same old side dishes. So, I decided to make a lower carb version of classic creamed spinach. It’s equally as creamy and cheesy – so much so that even someone who really doesn’t like spinach might enjoy this. Creamy, cheesy recipes tend to have that effect on people.

Why This Recipe Works

This is a really quick and easy side dish recipe to make. It only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish.

There is only 7 basic ingredients including garlic, shallot, cream cheese and Parmesan to give the sauce a rich, savory flavor. I use a shallot, simply because I don’t like onions. You can easily swap out the shallot for a small onion if you prefer.

There is no flour in this recipe to not only keep it keto friendly, but also gluten free. The addition of heavy cream, cream cheese, and Parmesan cheese actually thicken up really well, leaving no need for added thickening agents.

Again, if you’re not a spinach lover, this is the perfect recipe to get some of this healthy vegetable into your diet. Picky eaters? No problem! This recipe is also kid friendly.

How To Make Keto Creamed Spinach

Ingredients

Keto Creamed Spinach ingredients on a white background

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 shallot, finely chopped (or a small onion)
  • 8 ounces fresh spinach
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 ounces cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
  • salt (to taste)
  • pepper (to taste)

The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.

Prep!

Mince the garlic, chop the shallot, and shred the Parmesan cheese.

Chef’s Tip: shred the Parmesan cheese from a block to avoid added starches.

Create!

Minced shallot and garlic cooking in a black cast iron skillet

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and shallot and cook, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes or until softened and translucent.

Cooked spinach with shallots and garlic in a black cast iron pan

Add the spinach and cook down until reduced in size and wilted, about 2-3 minutes.

Creamed spinach in a black cast iron skillet

Slowly pour in the heavy cream and add the cream cheese. Cook, stirring often, until the cream cheese is completely melted and smooth.

Cheesy Keto Creamed Spinach in a black cast iron pan

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese until it’s melted and smooth.

Present!

Keto Creamed Spinach in a black cast iron pan with a wood turner in it and a wood board underneath with a blue and white striped towel behind the pan

Taste and season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Tips and Techniques

  • For best results, shred the Parmesan cheese from a wedge.
  • Use fresh spinach for best results, however frozen can be used, if necessary.
  • Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3 days. 

FAQ’s

How Many Carbs Are In Spinach?

1 cup of raw spinach has about 0.5 net carbs.

Can You Use Frozen Spinach?

While fresh spinach is the quickest, easiest, and most flavorful option for this recipe, you can substitute frozen spinach. You will want to be sure to thaw it and drain out as much water as possible before adding it to the pan.

What Do You Serve With Creamed Spinach?

Creamed spinach can be served alongside any basic grilled or roasted meats. It pairs exceptionally well with chicken and steak dishes.

More Recipes With Spinach

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Get The Recipe
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Creamy Spinach Artichoke Chicken
If you love Spinach Artichoke Dip, you will love this Creamy Spinach Artichoke Chicken recipe! Loaded with the same flavors of the classic dip recipe, but as a one-pan skillet meal!

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This Roasted Red Pepper Spinach Sandwich is a healthy, delicious, vegetarian lunch option.  It's easy to make, loaded with flavor, and packs well.
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Love this Keto Creamed Spinach recipe? Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!

If you try this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would please leave a comment and star rating. Thanks!

Keto Creamed Spinach in a black cast iron pan with a wood turner in it and a wood board underneath with a blue and white striped towel behind the pan
Print

Keto Creamed Spinach

Keto Creamed Spinach is a low carb, gluten free adaptation of traditional creamed spinach. Fresh, healthy spinach is cooked in a creamy, cheesy sauce that is incredibly rich and flavorful. Even the pickiest of eaters will love this delicious side dish.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American, Gluten Free, Low Carb
Diet Diabetic, Gluten Free
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 220kcal
Author Lauren Harris

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 cloves garlic * minced
  • 1 shallot * finely diced
  • 8 ounces spinach
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 ounces cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese * grated or finely shredded
  • salt (to taste)
  • pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  • Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and shallot and cook, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes or until softened and translucent.
  • Add the spinach and cook down until reduced in size and wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Slowly pour in the heavy cream and add the cream cheese. Cook, stirring often, until the cream cheese is completely melted and smooth.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese until it’s melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper, as desired.

Notes

Tips and Techniques

  • For best results, shred the Parmesan cheese from a wedge.
  • Use fresh spinach for best results, however frozen can be used, if necessary.
  • Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3 days. 
** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 203mg | Potassium: 379mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 6081IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 166mg | Iron: 2mg

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Filed Under: Gluten Free, Low Carb, Recipes, Side Dishes

Comments

  1. Kimberly Turner says

    July 13, 2022 at 9:49 am

    I’ve never eaten creamed spinach before and my husband loves it and I found this recipe to make it and this is a definite keeper so yummy!!

    Reply
    • Lauren Vavala says

      July 13, 2022 at 3:46 pm

      Thank you for taking the time to comment and rate the recipe, I really appreciate it and am glad you both enjoyed the recipe.

      – Lauren

      Reply
  2. Sharon says

    January 24, 2021 at 5:33 pm

    what is considered a ”Serving size” in most of the Low carb/ Keto recipes. Thank you

    Reply
    • Lauren Vavala says

      January 24, 2021 at 6:51 pm

      Hi Sharon. Because these recipes are made in my home and not in a test kitchen where ingredients are weighed etc, the nutritional calculations are based on a percentage of the ingredients. So if there are 4 servings, 1 serving is 1/4 of the total recipe and that is what the nutrition is based off of. I tend to count my macros very strictly, so what I do is portion the recipe into as evenly sized servings as I can and just eat 1 portion of that and let the rest of my family have at the rest. I wish I could be more precise, but this is about as close as we bloggers can get.

      I hope this helps – Lauren

      Reply
  3. Jennifer H. says

    October 20, 2020 at 9:30 pm

    I have been looking for a good recipe for Creamed Spinach.

    Reply
  4. Shaylynn says

    October 14, 2020 at 1:31 pm

    I will be adding this to side rotation.

    Reply
  5. Mya Murphy says

    October 14, 2020 at 11:00 am

    Looks easy peasy and oh-so-scrumptious! My holiday dinners are looking better and better thanks to you!! 😋

    Reply
  6. Dana Rodriguez says

    October 14, 2020 at 10:29 am

    I have never made creamed spinach and this looks AMAZING! THANKS FOR THE RECIPE!

    Reply
  7. Beth says

    September 14, 2020 at 9:25 am

    Yum! This looks so tasty! My family is going to love this recipe! Can’t wait to make this!

    Reply
  8. Michelle says

    September 14, 2020 at 8:28 am

    This creamed spinach looks perfect! The perfect side dish, however, I think I’d happily eat it on its own too, it looks so tasty!

    Reply
  9. Katherine says

    September 14, 2020 at 8:27 am

    I love that this is a keto version of the classic. It looks so creamy and delicious.

    Reply
  10. Dannii says

    September 14, 2020 at 7:56 am

    Creamed spinach is the ultimate comforting side dish and this looks amazing.

    Reply
  11. Caroline says

    September 14, 2020 at 7:32 am

    That looks lovely and creamy, would be perfect with a steak and other things I’m sure

    Reply

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Welcome, I'm Lauren!

Delicious Little Bites is where I share all types of recipes from appetizers to desserts. You will also find plenty of keto, gluten free, and vegetarian recipes here to help you put a delicious meal on the table every night that the whole family will love! Read More...

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