If you've never eaten a juicy steak with rich, creamy spinach on the side, then you're missing out on some serious deliciousness! Turn your kitchen into a top-notch steak house with Ruth's Chris creamed spinach recipe.
This classic side dish got its humble beginnings at the legendary Ruth's Chris Steak House in New Orleans. Now, you can make it from the comfort of your very own home.
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What makes this recipe irresistible
The first time I tried creamed spinach at Ruth's Chris, I thought-where has this been all my life? Rich, cheesy, and smooth as butter, it's the kind of side dish that steals the show. And now you get to bring that magic to your kitchen too (without the fancy steakhouse bill, thank you very much!).
Ruth Chris creamed spinach is a famous steakhouse staple. It's rich, flavorful, and luscious. You'll love the shortcut of using frozen spinach instead of raw spinach. It simplifies meal prep-so easy! Enjoy this delicious side dish in only 20 minutes.
Ingredients you'll need
Please refer to the printable recipe card for the exact measurements.
Ruth Chris Creamed Spinach Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 10 ounce packages frozen spinach thawed and squeezed dry
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg freshly grated
Instructions
- Thaw spinach, squeeze and remove excess water, set aside.
- In a medium sized skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic brown.
- Sprinkle the flour over the butter and garlic mixture. Stir continuously for about 2 minutes until the flour is well incorporated. It will begin to turn golden brown.
- Slow pour in the milk, whisking the entire time. The roux will begin to thicken. This takes 4-5 minutes.
- Add the spinach. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Stir in the parmesan cheese. Simmer for five minutes.
- Serve topped with additional parmesan if desired, enjoy!
Notes
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Nutrition
Creative variations to try
- To use fresh spinach, boil water in a large saucepan and cook the spinach for 2-3 minutes. Shock the cooked spinach in a large bowl of ice water to cool, then drain it well and continue with the recipe.
- Add ¼ cup of chopped yellow onion or shallots and saute it with the garlic.
- Add ¼ cup white wine to the sauce. It works really well in white sauces.
- Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over your serving of creamy spinach for a splash of tangy flavor.
- Use white pepper instead of black pepper for an earthier, more subtle flavor.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
Yep! You can make it a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Just ensure it's completely cooled before putting it in an airtight container. Reheat it slowly over low heat in a large pot, and add a splash of milk to thin out the sauce if necessary.
Creamed spinach is thickened with the flour/milk roux in the creamy parmesan cheese sauce.
A roux is a mixture of flour and butter that's cooked on the stovetop. A béchamel sauce is made when you whisk milk into a hot roux. Making a roux is the first step in creating béchamel sauce, also called white sauce.
Deb's tips for the perfect dish
Make sure you reheat leftover creamed spinach slowly in a small saucepan on low heat. High heat will split the cream sauce!
Use a kitchen towel or paper towels to squeeze excess moisture from the spinach before adding it to the white sauce. Too much water will make your cream sauce runny!
Download this free kitchen Creamed Spinach Cheat Sheet for more tips, faqs, and variations!
Related recipes
- Southern Style Instant Pot Green Beans are loaded with bacon, onions, and garlic-they pair perfectly with hearty meals and quick dinners.
- This veggie side is picky-eater approved: Old Fashioned Collard Greens is a Southern dish made with salty ham hocks. No one can resist it!
- Crockpot Cream Corn is an easy, delicious side dish that's creamy, buttery, and full of sweet corn. It goes with any main course.
- I think you'll really enjoy the Roasted Broccoli and Zucchini. It's such an effortless dish.
Serving suggestions
Pair it with crunchy ranch chicken, a juicy ham or turkey dinner. Or of course, serve it next to a juicy prime rib steak, or...real talk...just grab a spoon and call it dinner! I won't judge. 😉
Wrapping it up
There's just something about this creamy, cheesy spinach that makes any meal feel like a special occasion! Whether it's served alongside a steakhouse-style dinner or just brightening up a simple weeknight meal, this recipe is proof that comfort food can be both elegant and easy.
Now it's your turn-make a quick pan of this creamy, cheesy spinach and bring a little steakhouse flair to your table. If you give it a go, I'd love to know what you paired it with. Drop me a note in the comments or snap a picture and tag me-I always love seeing your kitchen creations!
Lois Corliss says
I love spinach. One of my favorite vegetables. This looks just great.
Debra Clark says
Thanks Lois, I hope you give it a try. This is my favorite combination of flavors and that pinch of nutmeg takes it right over the top.