Steakhouse Creamed Spinach (with a Crispy Parmesan Topping!)

Are you ready to master one of the most beloved, elegant, and completely irresistible side dishes of all time? A classic steakhouse favorite so rich, so creamy, and so deeply satisfying, it will elevate any meal into a special occasion? This incredible, from-scratch-tasting Creamed Spinach with Crispy Parmesan is that perfect recipe. We’re talking tender, chopped spinach, enveloped in a luscious, velvety cheddar cream sauce, and finished with a shatteringly crisp, salty, and nutty topping of Parmesan “frico.”

This isn’t just another creamed spinach recipe; it’s your definitive guide to a truly restaurant-quality classic with a modern, textural twist. We’ll show you the simple but crucial professional secrets to a flawless cream sauce and a foolproof method that guarantees your creamed spinach is never, ever watery. This is a show-stopping side that is perfect for a holiday feast or your next steak night.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Recipe Overview: The Ultimate Creamy & Decadent Side Dish

What makes this Creamed Spinach so spectacularly delicious is its incredible, luxurious texture and its wonderfully rich, yet balanced, flavor. This recipe is a masterpiece of classic, comfort food cooking. The heart and soul of the dish is the from-scratch cheddar cream sauce, a simple Béchamel-style sauce made from a butter and flour roux, enriched with heavy cream and sharp white cheddar. The real magic, however, is the topping. Instead of a soggy breadcrumb, this recipe features a brilliant, crispy garnish of Parmesan frico—lacy, golden-brown crisps of pure baked cheese that provide the most incredible, salty, and crunchy counterpoint to the creamy spinach below.

Metric	Time / Level
Total Time	45 minutes
Active Prep Time	25 minutes
Difficulty Level	Easy
Servings	6-8

The Simple Luxuries: The Essential Ingredients

This iconic dish uses a handful of high-quality, simple ingredients to create its signature rich and savory flavor.

• The Spinach (The Shortcut Superstar!):
  • Frozen Chopped Spinach: A fantastic and convenient shortcut that makes this dish a breeze!
• The Creamy Cheddar Sauce:
  • The Roux & Cream: A classic and simple foundation of unsalted butter and all-purpose flour (a roux) is the key that thickens the soup, while a splash of heavy cream adds an incredible, luxurious richness.
  • Sharp White Cheddar: For the best, most robust, and tangiest flavor that melts beautifully into the sauce, it is essential to use a good quality, sharp white cheddar cheese.
• The Crispy Parmesan Topping (The Secret Weapon!):
  • Freshly Grated Parmesan: The secret to a perfect, lacy frico is to use a block of high-quality Parmesan cheese that you grate yourself. Pre-shredded cheese will not melt as beautifully or become as crispy.

The Steakhouse Secret Masterclass: The Keys to Perfect Creamed Spinach

This recipe uses two simple but brilliant professional techniques that guarantee a flawless, restaurant-quality result.

1. Squeeze That Spinach!: This is the single most important, non-negotiable step in the entire recipe. Frozen spinach releases a huge amount of water when it thaws. You must use your hands (or a clean kitchen towel) to squeeze out as much of the excess liquid as you possibly can. This is the crucial, foolproof key that will prevent your beautiful, rich cream sauce from breaking and becoming a sad, watery mess.
2. The Perfect Frico: The secret to a perfect, lacy cheese crisp is a hot, nonstick pan and patience. By letting the mounds of Parmesan melt and bubble undisturbed, you are allowing them to form a beautiful, golden-brown crust before you try to lift them. Work in batches and don’t overcrowd the pan.

Step-by-Step to the Best Creamed Spinach

This elegant, one-pan side dish is a joy to prepare.

Part 1: The Art of the Creamy Spinach Base

In a medium pot, melt your 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over a medium heat. Add your 1 finely chopped medium onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until the onion is soft and translucent. Add the 2 cloves of minced garlic and cook for about a minute longer.

Stir in the 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour until it is combined and cook for 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. Slowly pour in the 3 tablespoons of heavy cream and cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes, until the sauce is thick and there are no lumps.

Add your thoroughly drained and squeezed spinach, breaking up any chunks with the back of a wooden spoon. Stir to combine with the creamy mixture and cook until the spinach is heated through, about 3 minutes. Add the 1 cup of grated white cheddar, the juice from 1/2 a lemon, and a few drops of hot sauce. Season with salt and pepper.

Part 2: The Crispy Parmesan Topping

Step 1: Heat a large, nonstick pan over a medium-high heat. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: Make 2-tablespoon mounds of your grated Parmesan cheese in the hot pan, leaving about 3 inches of space between each one.

Step 3: Allow the Parmesan to melt and bubble until it starts to turn a beautiful golden brown around the edges.

Step 4 (The Fun Part!): Use a thin offset spatula to carefully lift each cheese crisp and transfer it to your lined baking sheet to cool.

To serve, transfer your hot, creamy spinach to a serving bowl and top it with the crispy Parmesan frico, either crumbled or served whole.

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What to Serve With Your Creamed Spinach

This beautiful and decadent creamed spinach is the quintessential accompaniment to a classic, American steakhouse dinner or a holiday feast.

• The Classic Pairing: It is an absolute must-have served alongside a beautiful, perfectly cooked steak, like a Ribeye or a Prime Rib.
• A Holiday Feast: It is also the perfect, elegant side dish for a large, roasted centerpiece, like a Glazed Ham or a Roasted Turkey.

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Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

• Make-Ahead: For a super-fast and impressive side dish, you can prepare the creamed spinach up to 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The Parmesan crisps can also be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
• Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: The best way to reheat creamed spinach is to do so gently in a saucepan on the stovetop over a low heat, stirring frequently, until it is just warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)