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Creamed spinach side dish in a white bowl garnished with black pepper and lemon wedges

Creamed Spinach Side Dish

This creamed spinach side dish combines velvety textures with bright flavors from lemon and fresh spinach. Packed with protein-rich ricotta and ready in 20 minutes, it's perfect for any occasion.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Cuisine American, Mediterranean
Servings 6 people
Calories 106.3 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, minced
  • 4 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 ounces whole milk ricotta
  • 2 tablespoons milk (whole, low fat, or nonfat all work)
  • 1 small lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 pound fresh baby spinach

Instructions
 

  • Saute the aromatics: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once shimmering, stir in the minced onion and garlic. Cook for about 3 minutes, or until the onion is softened and the garlic is fragrant.
  • Make the sauce: Lower the heat to medium-low and stir in the ricotta, milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and nutmeg. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients come together into a creamy sauce.
  • Cook the spinach: Raise the heat back to medium and add the spinach in batches. Fold it into the sauce a handful at a time, letting each batch wilt before adding more. This step should take about 10 minutes in total.
  • Taste and serve: Adjust seasoning as desired and add another splash of lemon juice if needed for brightness. Serve warm and enjoy!