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Creamed Spinach Casserole Recipe (Keto Friendly)

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This easy keto-friendly recipe is the best spinach casserole side dish. 


It is creamy, flavorful, packed with nutrients, and made with simple ingredients.

There is an oval orange baking dish with a baked creamy cheese spinach mixture in it. There are 3 cloves of garlic, a partial block of white cheese with a small flat grater, and red pepper flakes laying behind the dish. Items are on a white marble surface.

If you’re a fan of the classic creamed spinach usually on a steakhouse menu or the yummy side dish you can find at Boston Market, this is the perfect recipe!

Simple Ingredients for Keto Spinach Casserole

There is a large clear glass bowl with raw green spinach leaves in it. There is a clear glass measuring cup with white liquid cream in it. There are two small clear glass bowls. One bowl has chunks of white cream cheese in it, the other bowl has a chunk of butter in it. There is a metal cup with shredded white cheese in it. There is a small whole onion, three cloves of garlic, and a wedge of white cheese. There is also three very small clear bowls with dry seasonings in them. Items are on a white marbled surface.

Butter: Adds a little flavor to the spinach. If you want a healthier alternative, use olive oil instead of butter.


Fresh Spinach: I use regular spinach for this recipe. (see Tips for Success) Fresh baby spinach is also very popular to use.

You can use frozen spinach, but you must squeeze out excess liquid to ensure this dish doesn’t become watery.

Onion: I like to use a shallot which is milder than a lot of onions. It adds just the right amount of flavor to the casserole.

You can use onion powder if you prefer. (see FAQ’s)

Garlic: Fresh garlic pairs so well with cooked spinach. Garlic powder can be substituted for fresh minced garlic cloves. (see FAQ’s)

Salt and Pepper: To taste.

Red Pepper Flakes: Completely optional! I love to sprinkle in just a little bit. It adds a touch of heat to the dish.

Nutmeg: This nutty-flavored spice adds depth and richness to the creamy sauce.

Cream Cheese: Adding cream cheese to this dish, gives it a rich and creamy texture. (see Tips for Success) Some recipes call for sour cream instead of cream cheese. It’s a personal preference.

Heavy Whipping Cream: This is the base of the sauce. Coconut cream, almond milk, or regular milk can work as a substitute.

Shredded Cheese: Freshly shredded cheese is the best! If you’re short on time, pre-packaged shredded cheese can be used.

The most popular cheeses for this spinach recipe are parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese. (see FAQ’s) 

Creamed Spinach Casserole

There is a small white oval dish with a baked spinach creamy cheese mixture in it. There is a metal spoon resting in it. The dish is laying on a gray cloth napkin.

Useful Equipment and Tools

  • Large skillet with a fitted lid
  • 1.5 – 2 quart casserole dish
  • Cutting board
  • Large knife
  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring cups
  • Wooden spoon
  • Oven mitts

How To Make This Keto Friendly Recipe

There is a rectangular wooden board. There is part of a small light purple onion with a mound of chopped onion in front of it on the board. There is also a small mound of minced garlic and a metal garlic press utensil on the board. The board is on a white marbled surface.
  • Finely chop the onion (shallot).
  • Mince the garlic cloves.
There is a large dark gray pan with butter melting in it.
  • Preheat oven.
  • Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat.
There is a large dark gray pan with spinach cooking in it.
  • Add the spinach, cover, and saute over medium heat until just barely wilted. (see Tips for Success)
There is a large dark gray pan with spinach, small pieces of onion and garlic cooking. There is a wooden spoon resting in the pan.
  • Add the garlic and onion to the wilted spinach.
  • Cook for a couple of minutes, continuously stirring. 
There is a large dark gray pan with spinach, dry seasonings, small pieces of onion and garlic cooking. There is a wooden spoon resting in the pan.
  • Sprinkle in the seasonings.
  • Stir until completely blended.
There is a large dark gray pan with cooked spinach, seasonings and a creamy white liquid in it. There is a wooden spoon resting in the pan.
  • Pour in the heavy cream and stir a few times.
There is a large dark gray pan with a creamy cheese and spinach mixture with chunks of white cream cheese in it.There is a wooden spoon resting in the pan.
  • Add in the softened cream cheese. (see Tips for Success)
  • Reduce the heat and simmer until the cream cheese has melted.
There is a large dark gray pan with a creamy cheese and spinach mixture with white shredded cheese in it. There is a wooden spoon resting in the pan.
  • Sprinkle in the mozzarella cheese and simmer until it melts.
There is an oval orange baking dish with a creamy cheese spinach mixture in it. In the background, there is a small metal cup white shredded cheese in and a corner of a white cloth napkin. Items are on a white marble surface.
  • Transfer the spinach mixture to the prepared casserole dish.
There is an oval orange baking dish with a creamy cheese spinach mixture in it. There is white shredded cheese sprinkled over the top. There is a corner of a white cloth napkin in the background. Items are on a white marble surface.
  • Sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the top of the spinach mixture.
  • Place in a preheated oven.
There is an oval orange baking dish with a baked spinach creamy cheese mixture in it. There is melted white cheese on top of the mixture. There are 3 cloves of garlic, a partial block of white cheese, and red pepper flakes laying in front of the dish. Items are on a white marble surface.
  • Bake until the cheese topping is golden brown.
  • Use oven mitts and remove the dish from the oven.

See recipe card below for complete measurements and cooking time.

Variations

  • Add some cooked ground beef or shredded rotisserie chicken (nicely named a creamy chicken spinach bake) for a filling meal the whole family will love.
  • Load up on vegetables and toss in some chopped red bell peppers or blanched broccoli pieces.
  • For a keto breakfast casserole, make with cooked ground breakfast sausage.

Tips for Success

If using regular raw spinach and not baby spinach in this easy keto casserole, take a few minutes and remove the stems. They are a little bit tougher than baby spinach. It does make a difference in the overall texture of the casserole.

If you have more spinach than fits in the pan all at once, cover and slightly wilt half of the bunch without stirring then add the remaining spinach.

The best way to soften cream cheese is to place it in the microwave on half-power for a minute or so. 

There is a white plate with brown rough edges. There is a slice of baked meat loaf and a scoop of a creamy cheese and spinach mixture on the plate. There is a silver fork resting in the spinach mixture. There is a white cloth napkin laying next to the plate. Items are on a white marbled surface.

Frequently Asked Questions

What other cheeses can I use in this easy keto recipe?

Mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese are the most popular for this recipe.

Other cheeses that can be used are Monterey jack, feta cheese, or pepper jack for a bit of heat.

What is the ratio of fresh garlic to garlic powder?

The rule of thumb for the ratio of fresh garlic to garlic powder is one clove of fresh garlic equals 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder.

What is the ratio of fresh onion to onion powder?

A general rule is that one tablespoon of onion powder is equivalent to one medium-sized onion.

How much frozen spinach do I use when substituting it for fresh spinach?

Use 6 ounces of frozen spinach in place of 10 ounces of fresh.

Thaw and drain well first, and squeeze to get rid of as much excess water as possible.

Looking for a few great recipes to pair with Creamed Spinach Casserole?

Try some of my favorite recipes like Beef Pinwheels, Easy and Healthy Chicken Piccata, Oven-baked Pork Chops, or Easy Shrimp Scampi.

Here are some more keto-friendly side dishes to try!

Yield: 8

Creamed Spinach Casserole Recipe (Keto Friendly)

There is an oval orange baking dish with a baked creamy cheese spinach mixture in it. There are 3 cloves of garlic, a partial block of white cheese with a small flat grater, and red pepper flakes laying behind the dish. Items are on a white marble surface.

This easy keto-friendly recipe is the best spinach casserole side dish. 

It is creamy, flavorful, packed with nutrients, and made with simple ingredients.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Additional Time 5 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1.5 tablespoons butter
  • 20 ounces of raw spinach
  • Small shallot - about 1/4 cup finely chopped
  • Garlic - 3 to 4 cloves minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 4 ounces cream cheese - room temperature
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese - shredded
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese - shredded
  • Nonstick cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Finely chop the onion/shallot and mince the garlic cloves.
  2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray an 8 x 8 baking dish with cooking spray. 
  3. Place a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the butter and let it melt.
  4. Add the spinach, cover, and saute over medium heat until just barely wilted. About 2  to 3 minutes. (see Tips for Success)
  5. Add the garlic and onion to the wilted spinach. Cook for another 2 minutes, continuously stirring. 
  6. Sprinkle in the seasonings: Salt, pepper, nutmeg, and red pepper flakes if using.
  7. Stir until completely blended.
  8. Pour in the heavy cream and stir a few times.
  9. Add in the cream cheese.
  10. Reduce the heat and simmer until the cream cheese has melted about 3 minutes.
  11. Sprinkle in the mozzarella cheese and simmer for an additional minute.
  12. Transfer the spinach mixture to the prepared casserole dish.
  13. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the top of the spinach mixture.
  14. Place in the middle of a preheated oven.
  15. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the cheese topping is golden brown.
  16. Use oven mitts and remove the dish from the oven.
  17. Let it rest for about 5 minutes to cool a bit and set it before placing it on the dinner table. It's a creamy casserole so you will want a spoon to scoop it out when plating.

Notes

Equipment Needed and Useful Tools

  • Large skillet with a fitted lid
  • 1.5 - 2 quart casserole dish
  • Cutting board
  • Large knife
  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring cups
  • Wooden spoon
  • Oven mitts

Variations

  • Add some cooked ground beef or shredded rotisserie chicken (nicely named a creamy chicken spinach bake) for a filling meal the whole family will love.
  • Load up on vegetables and add some chopped red bell peppers or blanched broccoli pieces.
  • For a keto breakfast casserole, add cooked ground breakfast sausage.

Tips for Success

  • If using regular raw spinach and not baby spinach in this easy keto casserole, take a few minutes and remove the stems. They are a little bit tougher than baby spinach. It does make a difference in the overall texture of the casserole.
  • If you have more spinach than fits in the pan all at once, cover and slightly wilt half of the bunch without stirring then add the remaining spinach.
  • The best way to soften cream cheese is to place it in the microwave on half-power for a minute or so. 

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 216Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 416mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 7g

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© Laura @ Join me in the Kitchen
Cuisine: American / Category: Casseroles

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