Creamed Spinach and Bacon

Indulge in the rich, savory flavors of this Creamed Spinach and Bacon recipe—a comforting side dish that brings together tender baby spinach, crispy thick-cut bacon, and a luscious cream sauce infused with Parmesan, nutmeg, and garlic. Perfectly balanced with just the right amount of seasoning, this dish elevates classic creamed spinach to new heights with the smoky, indulgent addition of bacon. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s an elegant yet easy-to-make accompaniment for roasted meats, poultry, or fish, and is sure to impress at any dinner table. Whether you’re hosting a holiday feast or preparing a cozy weeknight meal, this dish is a celebration of creamy decadence and bold, comforting flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 16 ounces baby spinach
• 6 slices thick-cut bacon
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 small yellow onion
• 3 whole garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 0.25 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Step 1

Cook the bacon: Place the bacon slices in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the bacon from the skillet, let it cool, and crumble into small pieces. Set aside. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet.

Step 2

Wilt the spinach: Add the spinach to the skillet with the bacon grease and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Work in batches if needed. Remove the spinach, transfer it to a clean bowl, and set aside.

Step 3

Sauté the onions and garlic: Add the butter to the skillet and melt over medium heat. Finely dice the small yellow onion and mince the garlic cloves. Add both to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

Make the roux: Sprinkle the flour into the skillet and whisk constantly for about 1-2 minutes to combine with the butter and cook out the raw flour taste.

Step 5

Create the cream sauce: Gradually pour in the milk and heavy cream while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Stir in the ground nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, allowing it to thicken, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 6

Combine the ingredients: Return the wilted spinach to the skillet and mix well with the sauce. Fold in the crumbled bacon and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring to incorporate evenly.

Step 7

Taste and adjust: Taste the creamed spinach and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Step 8

Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and transfer the creamed spinach and bacon to a serving dish. Serve hot as a side dish for roasted meats, poultry, or fish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1053.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1428.1

Total Fat 113.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 59.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Cholesterol 295.6mg	0%
Sodium 3291.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 49.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.1g	0%
Total Sugars 14.8g
Protein 41.1g	0%

Vitamin D 107.4IU	0%
Calcium 987.7mg	0%
Iron 15.9mg	0%
Potassium 696.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 73.9%

Protein: 11.9%

Carbs: 14.2%