5.0 from 141 votes
Creamed Spinach (Spinach Maria)
This is a unique creamed spinach inspired by Spinach Maria, a spicy version from Tennessee. This easy recipe uses three types of cheese and comes together in just 30 minutes!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 534 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 24 oz fresh spinach Substitute with 12 oz frozen spinach
- ⅓ cup butter unsalted
- ½ yellow onion diced
- 2 cups heavy cream can substitute with half and half or whole milk
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes divided, ½ teaspoon for garnish
- 4 oz shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 6 oz shredded cheddar jack cheese divided; use half Monterrey Jack and half Sharp Cheddar if buying separate
- 1 teaspoon black pepper for garnish
Instructions
- If using fresh spinach, blanch in a pot of hot water, drain the water and set aside - you can use an ice bath to preserve the color as desired. You can also chop up the blanched spinach if you want smaller bites (but I prefer not to do this!)
- If you do the optional baking step at the end, preheat oven to 350°F
- In a cast iron skillet (or oven safe skillet) melt butter on medium heat and then sauté the onions until they are fully sweated (about 3 to 4 minutes)
- Add heavy cream and stir to combine until bubbles start to appear. Reduce the heat to low and then add Dijon mustard, garlic powder and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer.
- Next, add the Mozzarella and 4 oz of the Cheddar Jack cheese and whisk to create a thick gooey cheese sauce. If you're not planning to bake in the last step, add all the cheese at this step!
- Squeeze all possible excess water out of the spinach and then add to the cheese sauce. Give everything a good mix until combined.
- Add the 2 oz of Cheddar jack on top and bake in the oven for about 3-4 minutes until the top layer melts really well. Top with a bit more red pepper flakes and black pepper and serve hot!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- If you use frozen spinach, you don't need to blanch it. Just make sure to thaw it before you start this recipe and drain excess water before adding in.
- You can also just use Cheddar instead of Cheddar Jack or vary the proportions of the cheese to your liking!
- I find that additional salt is not necessary for this recipe, but if you prefer, you can add a teaspoon to the cream mixture.
Nutrition Information
Calories
534kcal
(27%)
Carbohydrates
4g
(1%)
Protein
13g
(26%)
Fat
53g
(82%)
Saturated Fat
33g
(165%)
Cholesterol
176mg
(59%)
Sodium
409mg
(17%)
Potassium
126mg
(4%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
1975IU
(40%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
364mg
(36%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 534
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 534kcal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 4g | 1% |
| Protein | 13g | 26% |
| Fat | 53g | 82% |
| Saturated Fat | 33g | 165% |
| Cholesterol | 176mg | 59% |
| Sodium | 409mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 126mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 1975IU | 40% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 364mg | 36% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.