Slow Cooker Creamed Spinach – Hands-Free & Flavor-Packed!
Creamed spinach isn’t just for fancy steakhouse dinners — it’s a quick, budget-friendly side dish that pairs perfectly with grilled chicken, pork, beef, or even holiday roasts. This slow-cooker version keeps all the creamy, cheesy goodness you remember from childhood, but without the endless stirring over a hot stove.
When I was a kid, creamed spinach was a rare treat, usually making its appearance at Thanksgiving. I’d watch my mom at the stovetop, stirring patiently to get everything just right. My version keeps her rich, comforting flavor — but trades the constant stirring for a set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker method.
✨ Jump to:
💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- ✅ Completely hands-free — no stovetop stirring required
- ✅ Rich, creamy flavor that tastes just like mom’s holiday version
- ✅ Perfect for busy weeknights or holiday meal prep
- ✅ Family-approved and budget-friendly
🛒 Ingredient Notes
- Frozen Spinach – Thaw completely and squeeze out as much water as possible to prevent a watery result.
- Cottage Cheese – Adds creaminess; swap half for ricotta for a richer texture.
- Parmesan – Brings salty, nutty depth.
- American or Cheddar – Melty and creamy; pick your favorite flavor profile.
- Eggs – Bind the mixture so it sets perfectly.
- Nutmeg – Classic with spinach; a little goes a long way.
🥬 Ingredients
- 2 (10 oz) packages frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese (or half cottage cheese, half ricotta)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup grated American or Cheddar cheese
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
👩🍳 How to Make Slow Cooker Creamed Spinach
- Prep the Slow Cooker: Lightly grease the insert.
- Combine the Base: Add spinach, cottage cheese, Parmesan, American/Cheddar, and beaten eggs. Stir to combine.
- Season & Thicken: Sprinkle in flour, salt, pepper, and nutmeg; stir until evenly incorporated.
- Add the Butter: Distribute the cubed butter and gently stir to nestle throughout.
- Cook: Cover and cook on HIGH for about 2 hours, until hot, bubbly, and thickened.
- Finish: Taste and adjust salt and pepper just before serving.
🔥 Stovetop Method
- In a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Whisk in the flour to create a roux; cook for 1–2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
- Stir in cottage cheese, Parmesan, American/Cheddar, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until the cheese is melted and smooth.
- Add the well-drained spinach and stir until fully coated and heated through (about 5–7 minutes).
- Remove from heat, taste, and adjust seasoning as needed.
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown
| Ingredient | Amount Used | Package Size | Full Cost | Used Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen Spinach | 20 oz | 10 oz × 2 | $1.29 each | $2.58 |
| Cottage Cheese | 1 1/2 cups | 16 oz tub | $2.18 | $2.04 |
| Parmesan Cheese | 1/2 cup | 8 oz | $3.98 | $0.99 |
| American/Cheddar | 1 cup | 8 oz | $2.24 | $1.12 |
| Eggs | 3 | 12 ct | $2.14 | $0.54 |
| Unsalted Butter | 1/4 cup | 16 oz | $3.98 | $0.50 |
| All-Purpose Flour | 1/4 cup | 5 lb | $2.43 | $0.06 |
| Seasonings (salt, pepper, nutmeg) | — | — | — | $0.10 |
| 🧾 Total Recipe Cost: | $7.93 | |||
| 👨👩👧👦 Cost Per Serving (6 servings): | $1.32 | |||
━━━━━━ 💸 ━━━━━━
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh spinach? Yes. Use about 2 pounds fresh spinach, cook it down, drain well, and squeeze dry before adding.
Can I make this ahead? Assemble in the insert, refrigerate overnight, then cook the next day.
💡 Expert Tips
- Squeeze spinach very well to avoid excess moisture.
- Shred your own cheese for the creamiest melt.
- A tiny extra pinch of nutmeg deepens the flavor.
🎨 Recipe Variations & Substitutions
- Swap American for mozzarella or Swiss for a different vibe.
- Use almond flour instead of AP flour for a lower-carb option.
- Add crispy bacon bits or sautéed mushrooms for extra flavor.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Serve with grilled steak, roast chicken, or pork tenderloin.
- Pair with mashed potatoes or garlic bread for cozy comfort.
📦 Storage Tips
- Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 4 days.
- Reheat gently on low heat or in short microwave bursts.
- Freezing not recommended (texture may become grainy).
Tried this recipe? Mention @Budget101com or tag #Budget101
📌 Love this Slow Cooker Creamed Spinach Recipe? Pin it!
🖨️ Print-Friendly Slow Cooker Creamed Spinach Recipe
Slow Cooker or Stovetop Creamed Spinach
This creamy, cheesy creamed spinach is the ultimate comfort side dish — perfect for pairing with steak, chicken, pork, or holiday roasts.
Equipment
- Slow cooker (optional)
- Large skillet or saucepan (for stovetop)
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula
Ingredients
- 20 ounces frozen spinach (thawed & squeezed dry)
- 1 ½ cups cottage cheese (or half cottage cheese, half ricotta)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated )
- 1 cup American or Cheddar cheese (grated )
- 3 large eggs (beaten)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cubed
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground )
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
Slow Cooker Method:
- Lightly grease the slow cooker insert.
- Add spinach, cottage cheese, Parmesan, American/Cheddar cheese, and beaten eggs. Stir to combine.
- Sprinkle in flour, salt, pepper, and nutmeg; stir again until evenly incorporated.
- Distribute cubed butter throughout the mixture.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours, until hot, bubbly, and thickened.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper before serving.
Stovetop Method:
- In a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.
- Whisk in flour to make a roux; cook 1–2 minutes.
- Stir in cottage cheese, Parmesan, American/Cheddar, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until cheese is melted and smooth.
- Add the drained spinach and stir until fully coated and heated through (5–7 minutes).
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Equipment
Slow cooker (optional)
Large skillet or saucepan (for stovetop)
Wooden Spoon or Spatula
Notes
Recipe Notes & Bonus Tips:
Extra Creamy: Use all ricotta cheese instead of cottage cheese for a richer texture. Low-Carb Option: Replace all-purpose flour with almond flour. Add Flavor: Mix in crispy bacon bits or sautéed onions for depth. Holiday Prep: Assemble ahead of time and refrigerate overnight; cook when ready. Drain Well: Excess water from spinach will thin the sauce, so squeeze thoroughly.Recipe Size Alteration Note
If you altered the ingedients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cooking/baking time.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 312kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 20gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 147mgSodium: 916mgPotassium: 449mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 11781IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 415mgIron: 3mgNet Carbs: 8g
Tried this recipe?Mention @Budget101com or tag #Budget101com!
