Healthier Creamed Spinach
By: Leah Rodrigues
Published: November 2, 2012

Creamed spinach may be a popular vegetable side dish but it is loaded with calories.  This recipe allows you to eat creamed spinach without the guilt.  Instead of using butter or cream, the "creaminess" comes from using reduced fat cream cheese.  You can eat creamed spinach as is or pair it with a baked potato, mix it with whole wheat pasta, or even bake it.
Healthier Creamed Spinach
Ingredients:



1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
salt and black pepper
1/2 package (4 oz) reduced-fat cream cheese
3/4 cup 1%% milk
2 packages (10 oz each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
 
Directions:
 








Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring, until soft, 6 to 7 minutes.


   
Add the cream cheese and milk and cook, stirring, until the cream cheese is melted.


   
Squeeze any excess liquid out of the spinach, add the spinach to the sauce, and cook until mixture is heated through and thickened, 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle with nutmeg.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring, until soft, 6 to 7 minutes.


     
Add the cream cheese and milk and cook, stirring, until the cream cheese is melted.


     
Squeeze any excess liquid out of the spinach, add the spinach to the sauce, and cook until mixture is heated through and thickened, 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle with nutmeg.