Asiago Creamed Spinach

5 from 1 vote

This Asiago Creamed Spinach Recipe starts with sauteed shallots, garlic, and fresh spinach that are coated with a creamy asiago cheese sauce.

Prep Time12

Cook Time20

Total Time32

Course: Side Dish Recipes

Cuisine: American

Servings: Servings

Calories: 296kcal

Author: Erica Schramek

Equipment

large skillet

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ cup finely chopped shallot about 1 large shallot
2 garlic cloves minced
1 pinch of red pepper flakes
1 cup heavy cream
4 ounces softened cream cheese
½ cup Asiago cheese grated
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
12 ounces of baby spinach
lemon juice for serving

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

In a large pot or large saucepan, melt the 2 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium-low heat.
Add the ½ cup finely chopped shallot and sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften. Do not let them brown.
Add the chopped 2 garlic cloves and 1 pinch of red pepper flakes and sauté for an additional minute until the garlic becomes fragrant.
Slowly pour in the 1 cup heavy cream and add the 4 ounces softened cream cheese. Stir until the cream cheese has melted. I use a spoon to break the cream cheese into smaller pieces to help it melt faster. The cream cheese should take about 8 minutes to melt.
Add the ½ cup Asiago cheese and ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg. Stir to combine.
Stir in the 12 ounces of baby spinach breaking up any clumps of spinach.
Let the spinach cook for 6 minutes until it is heated through.
Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Sprinkle with additional Asiago cheese and a splash of lemon juice.

Notes

If using frozen spinach, you will want to defrost the spinach and then squeeze out as much excess water as you can. If you want to you can use a paper towel to blot away the extra moisture. If you don't the sauce will become watery.

Don't try to use additional milk instead of heavy cream. Milk is more likely to separate and won't give you the same creamy consistency.

Don't use pre-shredded cheese shred your own. Shredded cheese often has additives that can prohibit melting and make the sauce clumpy.

For a looser consistency, add a little more heavy cream.

For some extra crunch, saute panko bread crumbs in a little butter and sprinkle them on top of the dish before serving.

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days.
Freezing creamed spinach is not recommended as it may cause the cream to split.
Reheat in a saucepan on the stove. You may need to add an additional splash of cream.

Nutrition