This sauteed spinach and onions recipe is a simple, yet delicious side dish. The sweetness of the caramelized onions balances perfectly with the spinach, and the garlic adds a touch of flavor.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This easy sauteed spinach and onions recipe is the perfect side dish for any meal. This dish can be prepared in just minutes using only a few simple ingredients. Caramelized onions add a touch of sweetness, while garlic and salt give it a savory flavor that everyone will love.
Best of all, this dish is simple enough for beginner cooks to make. So go ahead and add it to your next dinner or Holiday menu!
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Sauteed Spinach and Onions Ingredients
If you have whole nutmeg available to grate, it is hands down better than ground nutmeg. The caramelized onion topping and nutmeg compliments the spinach and transforms this creamy sauteed vegetable into pure elegance.
- Fresh Baby Spinach
- Olive oil
- Onions
- Garlic, minced
- Butter
- Cream Cheese
- Heavy Cream
- Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
- Nutmeg, fresh grated if possible, but ground from the jar works also.
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Creamy Sauteed Spinach
TIP: Two pounds of raw spinach takes up a huge volume of space in a pot, at first. It will quickly wilt down though. Use a 4 quart stockpot or Dutch oven, and add the spinach in portions while it wilts down.
Caramelize the Onions
- Slice the onions and saute them in the stockpot with the olive oil until on medium high until they are translucent.
- Lower the heat to medium low and let the onions continue to cook, stirring occasionally as they become golden brown and caramelized.
Wilt the Spinach
- Transfer the onions to a small bowl. Using the same pot add spinach and the minced garlic.
- Stir on medium heat as it starts to wilt, adding more spinach until it's all in the pot.
- Add the butter, cream cheese, heavy cream, and the grated nutmeg and stir.
- Keep the heat on medium low, stirring gently to help the cream cheese and butter melt.
Saute The Spinach
- Continue to stir the sauteed spinach on medium low, stirring until the cream cheese has fully melted.
Finishing the Sauce
- Remove sauteed spinach from heat, add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and stir it in to blend. Transfer to a serving dish.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Sauteed Spinach and Onions as a side dish at your next Holiday meal. We have some additional Holiday recipes that would be perfect for completing your Holiday menu also.
- Dutch Oven Turkey Breast
- Air Fried Turkey Breast
- Baked Sweet Potato Slices
- Spinach Artichoke Baked Pasta
- Baked Brie with Cranberries
- Sauteed Spinach
- Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Related Recipes
Equipment
For this sauteed spinach and onions you will want a deep 4 quart stockpot.
Storage
Store leftovers in a glass or plastic covered container in your refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave.
Tips for Success
- Freshly grated nutmeg is the secret to this amazing side dish. It's worth getting whole nutmegs if you don't have any.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kale and spinach are highly nutritious and and associated with several benefits. While kale offers more than twice the amount of vitamin C as spinach, spinach provides more folate and vitamins A and K. Both are linked to improved heart health, increased weight loss, and protection against disease.
It's okay to leave the tender stems on spinach, too—just chop off any thick, woody parts.
Place the spinach leaves in a colander or the basket of a salad spinner, and place them under running water. Use cool or cold water to rinse the spinach. Hot rinse water could wilt your spinach.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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📖 Recipe
Sauteed Spinach and Onions
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 large onions sliced thinly
- 2 lbs spinach baby or regular
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 8 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ground or fresh grated
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a 4 quart stockpot over medium heat. Add onions and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Reduce heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions become nicely golden brown and caramelized. Cook time will be about 20 minutes.2 tablespoon olive oil, 2 large onions
- Transfer the caramelized onions to a small bowl and set aside.
- In the same stockpot, add the minced garlic and the spinach and stir with heat on medium. You need the deep stockpot to hold all the leafy greens, but they will cook down to a much smaller amount. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and continue to stir as the spinach wilts down.2 lbs spinach, 2 cloves garlic
- Once all the spinach has wilted, add the butter, cream cheese, heavy cream, and nutmeg. Continue to cook until the cream cheese melts into the spinach and everything becomes nice and creamy.1 tablespoon butter, 8 oz cream cheese, ½ cup heavy cream, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.¼ cup Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste
- Transfer the sauteed spinach and creamy sauce to a serving bowl and top with the caramelized onions Serve immediately.
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