Creamed spinach is a classic and popular dish around the holiday season, but also perfect for any time of the year!
This delicious creamed spinach uses mashed cauliflower as a creamy base while topped with melted mozzarella. What’s not to love?!
Spinach is a superfood packed full of magnesium, folate, and manganese - while cauliflower is high in vitamins C and K, and is a rich source of fiber (along with many other benefits!)
The combination of healthy ingredients in this dish makes it a fantastic side to add some nutrients to your plate!
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🥘 ingredients
You will need:
- frozen (or fresh) spinach
- cauliflower
- onions
- garlic
- mozzarella
- heavy cream
- butter
- ground nutmeg
🔪 instructions
- Start boiling the cauliflower for at least 10 minutes. (Photo 1)
- Sauté the onion until soft and translucent while the cauliflower boils. (Photo 2)
- Add the spinach and nutmeg to the pan. Cook until the spinach if warmed through. (Photo 3)
- Scoop the soft cauliflower with a slotted spoon and add to your food processor. (Photo 4)
- Blitz it with the cream and butter until smooth. Taste and season it with salt and pepper. (Photo 5)
- Mix the cauliflower, spinach/onion and cheese together. (Photo 6)
- Add the mixture to a baking dish and sprinkle extra cheese on top. (Photo 7)
- Slide under the broiler until the cheese is golden and then your keto creamed spinach is ready to serve. (Photo 8)
💭 faq
You can keep your leftovers in the fridge (covered in an airtight container) for up to 3 days. When you are ready, reheat gently over low heat while continuously stirring (or microwave in 1-minute increments until hot, stirring in between increments.), serve, and enjoy again!
This is most likely due to overcooking the spinach. You will notice the leaves becoming slimy and the bitter flavors will become more prominent.
Either option is perfectly fine! If using frozen, just follow the instructions of the package before moving on to the next steps.
Yes. Spinach is low in carbs and suitable for the keto diet.
Spinach does contain carbs, but very few. Keep in mind that spinach loses its volume when cooking. A cup of raw spinach contains about 1g of carbs, while a cup of cooked spinach contains about 4g net carbs.
📋 recipe
Easy Cheesy Keto Creamed Spinach
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen spinach
- 4 cups cauliflower (we used a small head of cauliflower and cut it into small florets)
- 1 onion (diced)
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
- ½ cup mozzarella (shredded - plus a little extra for on top)
- 2 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- Turn on your broiler.
- Bring a medium sized pot of salted water to the boil. Once it boils, add the cauliflower florets and boil for approximately 10 minutes (or until soft).
- While the cauliflower boils, caramelize the onion in a little bit of butter and oil [butter for flavor, oil to keep it from burning] until soft and translucent and and then add the spinach and nutmeg. Cook until the spinach is warmed through.
- When the cauliflower is cooked, use a slotted spoon to scoop the florets into a food processor. Add the cream and butter. Blitz the cauliflower until smooth. Taste and then season with salt and pepper.
- Now mix the cauliflower, spinach/onion and cheese together, taste test and add more salt if needed, and scoop into a cast iron pan or small baking dish.
- Slide under the broiler until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
Nutrition
⭐ variations ⭐
- Try different cheeses. Use Gouda or Cheddar instead of Mozzarella for a stronger flavor, or crumbled feta. My favorite is Pepper Jack!
- Add chopped bacon bits for a crispy, savory surprise!
- Add other veggies like artichoke hearts.
🥗 more holiday dish recipes
Did you enjoy this recipe? Try some of our other raved-after holiday recipes like this green bean casserole or simple low-carb eggnog.
Leslie says
I'm surprised that nobody mentioned this before, but in the photos, you are using fresh spinach, but in the ingredients you say frozen spinach!! I'm guessing it doesn't matter which one you use!!
Fudge says
Hi. I'm making it now. Realise the clove of garlic is left out from the method. I'm gonna assume it goes with the onions. Yes? 🙂
Roche Woodworth says
Yes, this is correct!:)
Amanda says
Can this be frozen and reheated?
Crystal says
What is a serving?
Jackie says
can you use frozen cauliflower for this recipe
Roche Woodworth says
Yes, I frozen cauliflower rice will work just fine!:)
Yvonne says
Really love this- one of my favorite side dishes - like to add extra spinach! Goes so good with steak! Thank you for sharing
Mwade says
I just made this for our Thanksgiving dinner and it was a HUGE hit! I made it exactly like the recipe stated; no changes and it was fantastic. Everyone loved it and it even reheated well. I intend to make it again very soon with a pork loin.
Roche Woodworth says
Thank you do much for the feedback, happy you enjoyed the recipe:)
Kelly Barker says
Hi,
I'm in the process of making this wonderful looking dish. I have a feeling I over bought on the cauliflower. Would you be able to estimate how many cups of boiled cauliflower you put in the food processor? Also, what size baking dish are you using? In the video the dish is rectangular, but I'm guessing it's not as big as a 9" X 13"? Thanks for the advice and sharing the recipe!
Roche Woodworth says
Hi Kelly! The size of the dish I used was a 10”x6” - I will add this information to the recipe card. We are in the process of updating a lot of our older recipes.
Also, I think the head of cauliflower we used got us about 2-3 cups of cauliflower. Hope that helps!
Takenya says
Can I use frozen cauliflower and spinach or does it have to be fresh?
Roche Woodworth says
Hello Takenya - Frozen spinach will work just fine! 🙂
Julie says
Just made this served with steak it was a hit added extra onions and cream and more spinach
Roche Woodworth says
Thanks for the feedback! Glad it was a success 🙂
JOHNNA says
Interesting post!! I've started LCHF a month ago, and so far I am getting used in this way of eating. I love that I don't feel bloated all the time, And I’ve never felt so much better like this before. I think I found the best diet for me!! Thank you for this awesome recipes.
Lesa says
I love this recipe! Thank so much for sharing ????
Roche Woodworth says
Thank you for the feedback Lesa! Glad you liked the recipe 🙂
madelyn miller, the travellady says
Anything besides spinah you would suggest? Kale? Swiss Chard? finely chopped brocolli?
Shay says
Kale would definitely do great, Swiss chard as well. And who knows, maybe even broccoli...I might give that a try myself!:)
madelyn miller says
I am going to do a variation of this as a pasta sauce. And imagine cauliflower/spinach toast like avocado toast.
madelyn miller miller says
I read the recipe and had to make it right away (after midnight) So I used what I had. I boiled the cauliflower, moved it to blender with a slotted spoon.
It was slow blending so I added a tablespoon of butter. The I decided to just put in the fresh spinach. It gave it a crisp taste. I couldn't decide if I should use unflavored yogurt or coconut milk. I seasoned it with a onion/garlic/parsley spice mix from Trader Joe's. I used Oxacan grated cheese because it melts so well.
Next time I will follow the recipe but I was delighted with my results. I ate half of it for dinner. The rest will be beaten in with some eggs for breakfast.
This would be a great potluck dish--especially since it can be made vegan so easily.
This is the first of your recipes I have tried--now I am going to go down the list and try others
Shay says
Glad it inspired you to create something yummy! Hope you like the original recipe as well when you try it:)
Sean Mahan says
These pictures made my mouth water, it looks so delicious! I'm already saving the link so I can try later today. Thanks!
Kimberly says
I cook every day but have never tried cooking cauliflower. I skipped over all the recipes for it thinking surely it wouldn't taste good as a replacement for rice or mashed potatoes. So I saw this recipe and had everything except the cream so decided to try it. I didn't add the cloves because I only had whole cloves and didn't feel like processing them. I used 2% milk instead of cream and threw in a little parmesan cheese with the mozzarella. I didn't see where in the recipe to add the garlic so I put it in when the spinach was almost wilted. I thought it was really good, my husband who resembles a three year old when trying new foods said it was ok. I would make it again but without the nutmeg, to me it gave an odd flavor but maybe that's because I didn't use the cloves. I'm for sure a new fan of cauliflower and can't wait to try it other ways.
Shay says
Happy you liked it Kimberly!
Paula says
There are no cloves in this dish, it's garlic clove.
Roché Woodworth says
Correct. There are no cloves in this dish, only one garlic clove.
Diane says
This was amazing! I used it as a main dish by cooking chicken thighs in the skillet first. Added the rest of the ingredients and had a fabulous meal. I also cooked the cauliflower in my instant pot instead of boiling it.
Laverne says
Whole family LOVED it!! Thanks xoxo
Shay says
Glad you loved it!! Thanks:)
April Finnell says
I've tried several different cauliflower mash recipes, and this one is by far the tastiest I've made so far. So glad I found it. I'm sure I will making this again and again. Thank you for posting it!
Shay says
Glad you liked it!! Thanks for the feedback, April!:)
Pam Williams says
What a terrific side dish or even a dip. I made it and did add just a clove of ground garlic and used cheddar instead and WOW. Amazing. I will be making this again and again.
Thank you for sharing
Shay says
Thanks for the feedback, Pam! I'm happy to hear you loved it!:)
Arlene says
I’m not a huge onion fan. Will it change the taste much if I don’t use it? That will also lower carb count right? Thanks for sharing!!
Shay says
Hi Arlene, it probably won't make a massive difference in taste, but since I didn't test it that way I can't say for sure. It's true that it will lower the carb count, but not by a massive amount! Hope you like it! Let me know if it turns out okay!
Karly says
I never thought I'd be one to swoon over cauliflower and spinach, yet here I am! This looks so, so, SO incredible- need to try!
Shay says
It's definitely an all-time fave in our home! Hope you like it if you do end up trying it! 🙂
Madonna says
I am going to make this. I seldom use my microwave, but I think the cauliflower would work perfectly, still fresh tasting and not watery. Now to find a broiler-proof pan/dish.
Meredith says
It says cream.....am I missing what kind of cream? Like a heavy cream?
Shay says
Hi Meredith! Yes, heavy cream. I'll edit the recipe so it's more clear.
Dawn says
I will cream 1/2 or so of the cauliflower and leave the rest in small chunky bits. Allison, I'm with you. Garlic instead of cloves. Yum.
Theresa says
Looks sooooooo good! I am definitely making this!
Theresa
Shay says
Awesome, hope you like it!:)
Allison says
I didn't care for the cloves so I used garlic instead. This is a big hit in my household!! Thanks for the recipe.
Jodi says
Can i substitute shredded cheddar?
Lauren says
I've made this a few times already and it's amazing! I'd like to double or triple the recipe for a side for our holiday meal. Can I assemble ahead of time, refrigerate and bake to heat? Do you recommend this?
Nancy says
Lauren, I was wondering if you went ahead and made the big batch ahead of time. I would like to do it also for a family dinner. If you did, did it bake ok? Or was it too watery the next day. Thanks.
Jen says
This was awesome! Made it last night to have alongside roast chicken. ..love me some cauliflower and always looking for new ways to incorporate it into meals!
Megan says
Great recipe! I was just wondering what kind of cream you used?
Handful says
This looks superb! I think it will be on the menu tonight as I scored 2 heads of cauli yesterday for a great price!
Denise says
What is the net carb count on this per serving?
Christina says
I just made this & let me tell you!!! All my picky boys LOVED it! My husband & youngest added bacon bits to theirs but oldest loved it the way it is!!! Since I've been trying to incorporate more veggies in my boys diet; the best part is that only my husband knew it was cauliflower! My boys just thought it was my new mashed taters!!!
Shay says
Haha love it!! 😀
Janet says
Hi all. This sounds amazing. Any idea of the carb count per serving?
Kate says
Do you think this would freeze well?
Shay says
I haven't ever made enough at a time to try freezing it, but I believe it could do well.
Karen says
This looks delicious. I'm going to try it with fresh spinach first, but do you think it would work with frozen, thawed spinach if I needed to use that sometime?
Shay says
Hi Karen! It would definitely work, just be sure to squeeze out all the excess moisture from the thawed spinach before adding it to the cauliflower 🙂
Amber K says
Hello...not sure if this was asked but do you drain the cauliflower with a cheesecloth or anything before putting it in the blender? I've had an experience where I didn't drain it and the dish was soupy.
Shay says
Hi Amber 🙂 I don't drain the cauliflower - I just scoop the florets out of the water with a slotted spoon and use it as is! I've made this recipe countless times myself and have never had an issue with it being soupy.
Virginie says
Do you think peices of chicken breasts would tast good in it?
Shay says
Hi Virginie, I can't see why not! 😀 It'll probably taste good, I'm going to give it a try next time I cook it!
Joe says
Great recipe. My wife and family really like it. Would you happen to know the nutritional information per serving?
Shay says
Thanks Joe! 🙂 Unfortunately I am not a qualified nutritionist/dietitian and cannot give nutritional information on my recipes. Sorry about that!
Katrina says
Find an app like My Fitness Pal and go to the recipe tab. Add the ingredients. It should give you all of the nutritional info from calories, carbs, fat , and vitamin content. It's a free app.
Misty says
You can use a great app MyFitnessPal and put in any recipe and it breaks down the nutritional value. Best diet and exercise app ever!
Jilly says
Delicious food and a tiny house? You people are a dream❤
Shay says
Haha thank you! ????????
Sheri says
This is really good. I used 2 bags of frozen cauliflower and a stick mixer. I did add the butter but it was plenty moist enough I didn't use the cream. I did add a little low fat sharp cheddar along with the mozzarella. I like to change up recipes, next time I think I will also add some broccoli Yum!
Shay says
Glad you liked it, Sheri! Adding broccoli sounds delicious! I think I might give that a try next time too 😀
Diann says
I can't wait to add this side with some lemon pepper wings.
Shay says
Sounds good! Let me know it turns out 🙂
Patricia says
This was a great recipe, I made it and I will make it again and again as my husband and I loved it.
Shay says
Awesome, Patricia! Glad you liked it 😀
Sherri Robinson says
Today I made it. I tasted it very good. I make more sometime.
Beth says
Super easy but i found the clove flavor super strong. Any suggestions?
Shay says
Hi Beth, thanks for the feedback. As stated in the recipe, I recommend adding just a pinch of ground cloves (which is less than 1/16th of a teaspoon if we're being technical) - that's definitely not enough to give an overpowering taste. So, you might have added just a bit too much. If you do make this again, I would suggest adding just a tiny amount or forego it completely if you do not like the taste of cloves. Hope this helps 🙂
Cheryl says
For those who do not like the taste of cloves, I omitted that and added 1 tsp. basil. It tasted like an alfredo sauce.
madelyn miller miller says
great idea. Serve it over zuchinni zoodles.
Sonia Gupta says
It surely is amazing recipe and yet so simple in making. Thank you very much. It would taste awesome too. Sometimes, we want something differently. So, it is the answer.
Shay says
Hey Sonia, good to hear! Hope you like it 🙂