With its subtle peppery flavor, this leafy green vegetable deserves its reputation as a versatile ingredient and a nutrient-packed superfood.
Around the world, spinach is enjoyed cooked and raw, paired with a seemingly infinite variety of meats, fish, and salads.
This article will look at 25 creative and sometimes unexpected ways to use fresh or frozen spinach.
You’ll love these mouthwatering spinach recipes, and we hope they inspire you to experiment!
1. Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni
Ready for some hot and filling comfort food? Take your pick with these mouthwatering pasta tubes, which are packed with a delicious creamy mixture of tomatoes, herbs, and spinach.
Add your own twist to this vegan recipe by using non-dairy or dairy milk and cheeses – there are endless variations, and it’s hard to go wrong!
2. Spinach Beef Cannelloni (Manicotti)
This comforting recipe is sure to be a hit with meat lovers and fans of Italian food.
The beef is cooked with a rich mixture of tomatoes, herbs, garlic, and spinach before being stuffed into the pre-cooked pasta tubes, topped with mozzarella, and baked until it’s meltingly creamy.
And like all the best Italian recipes, you can use your inspiration to create your signature stuffing. It’s almost impossible to go wrong, but if in doubt, the golden rule is to add more herbs and seasonings!
3. Restaurant Style Saag/Palak Paneer
Saag Paneer or Palak Paneer is a sumptuous vegetarian Indian creamed spinach. It’s a staple in Indian restaurants around the world.
The best news is that it’s surprisingly easy to make. Grind some spinach and other greens, and season with spices of your choice to make the sauce. Paneer, a firm Indian cottage cheese, is typically fried and placed on top. Tofu is a popular alternative that works well if you can’t find paneer.
4. Spanakopita Triangles (Spanakopitakia)
A popular Greek dish, these excellent crispy snacks couldn’t be easier to make! Frozen works fine if you find the idea of making the phyllo pastry too daunting or time-consuming! Instead, roll out the pastry squares until they’re ultra-thin, place a big dollop of filling on each one, then fold over and over to seal and create the triangle shapes.
Bake until they are golden, enjoying the wonderful fragrance as they cook. Eat fresh from the oven, or save for later as a cold snack or appetizer – they are wonderful with a sweet, spicy dip.
Make the filling with spinach, feta, and herbs. If you can’t get hold of feta, ricotta is a great alternative.
Pro tip: go easy when adding salt to the filling, as the cheese will already be salty.
5. Cheesy Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip
This spicy, cheesy baked spinach and artichoke dip is flavored with Dijon mustard, garlic, cayenne pepper, parmesan and mozzarella cheese, green onions, and parsley. Nothing complicated is needed to make it – combine the ingredients and bake!
Let it cool slightly before serving it with plenty of toasted bread or crackers for dipping and scooping up the spinach. This simple vegetarian recipe bursts with flavor and makes the perfect game day or TV-binge snack!
6. Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip
This slow-cooker version of the spinach artichoke dip recipe is even richer and creamier than the oven-baked versions due to the addition of sour cream or Greek yogurt – and low-fat cream cheese.
However, it’s still vegetarian, loaded with great flavors, and ultra-easy to make – combine everything and place it in the crockpot for a couple of hours. Serve hot on warm, crusty bread.
7. Paleo Spinach Artichoke Dip (Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip)
Yet another take on the classic spinach and artichoke combo. This version is vegan-paleo, so it contains only plant-based ingredients and is gluten-free.
Still, it’s rich, creamy, and delicious, spiced with cayenne, smoked paprika, and a generous helping of garlic. The base is made with almond yogurt and vegan mayonnaise.
This recipe can be assembled, cooked, and ready to eat in just 20 minutes. Heat some oil (or ghee) until warm; add the garlic and stir to release the fragrance, then toss in the artichoke and spinach and stir until the water in the leaves evaporates.
Add the remaining ingredients and stir some more. Adjust the seasonings, sprinkle some paprika over the top, and serve warm with the chips of your choice for a nutritious paleo snack.
8. Steakhouse Creamed Spinach
This incredible recipe will go down a storm with any meat lover! The velvety texture of the cream sauce combines with the texture of wilted baby spinach fried in butter and onions. So easy to make, this nutritious side takes a simple steak to the next level.
Hint: A hint of paprika and nutmeg adds complexity to the creamy mixture.
9. Easy Homemade Creamed Spinach
We love how simple this recipe is! Add chopped shallots to some melted butter to make a roux, then whisk in flour before adding milk and cream, and you have your sauce! Toss in the parmesan, cream cheese, baby spinach, and a pinch of nutmeg, stir everything, and serve piping hot!
Including chopped chestnuts adds a welcome crunch, or you could experiment with raw cashews or walnut pieces.
10. Apple Pecan Feta Spinach Salad with Maple Cider Vinaigrette
This substantial fall salad is loaded with delicious fall flavors, and an intriguing mix of textures complement each other perfectly.
The recipe combines a mound of fresh baby spinach with crunchy red apples (skin-on), buttery pecans, salty feta, and the intense sweet-sourness of dried cranberries. Drizzle on the maple-cider vinegar dressing and enjoy it as a light but filling lunch or side dish.
Leave out the bacon; this can stand alone as a delectable vegetarian dish.
The great thing about salads is that you can add anything you like and make substitutions based on what you have to hand: try walnuts in place of pecans, creamy brie or cheddar in place of the feta, or even include firm, ripe pears in place of the apples! In summer, add strawberries and cucumbers for a delicious, seasonal touch.
11. Spinach Salad with Chorizo & Feta
This distinctive salad blends the creaminess of feta cheese with the rich, smoky flavors of Spanish chorizo sausage and the peppery freshness of spinach leaves. Chorizo can be sliced and enjoyed ‘raw,’ but in this recipe, it’s fried first to release the wonderful aroma and sweet taste.
Serve this salad with warm crusty bread for a filling lunch or summer supper.
12. Fried Spinach Salad
This delicious fried spinach recipe comes from Sam Marvin, the acclaimed chef and restaurant owner. His Fried Spinach Salad is a healthy starter or side dish featuring (as the name suggests) fried spinach, red onions, cauliflower, broccoli, and a chili-lime vinaigrette.
It’s an original take on traditional creamed spinach with a spicy, citrusy kick.
13. Fresh Egg Omelet with Sweet Onion Marmalade & Spinach
This sumptuous cheesy omelet is ideal when you’re looking for a special breakfast or brunch. It’s easy to make – follow the recipe or use your favorite technique- stuff it with cheese and wilted spinach. Of course, you’ll need patience to cook the julienned onions until they’re almost melting and incredibly sweet.
Still, once you add the vinegar – you’ll be glad you made an effort to create this marmalade, as it pairs beautifully with the rich, creamy omelet.
14. Cheat’s Gozleme
This popular spinach–stuffed flatbread is a popular Turkish street food and it’s ideal for a snack or to whip up for a light lunch or dinner, as it can be ready to serve in around 15 minutes!
The simple dough combines equal parts self-raising flour and Greek-style yogurt (100ml), with a pinch of salt flakes and a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Knead them until the dough is smooth, roll until thin, and cut into two circles.
To fill, combine baby spinach leaves with a handful of crumbled feta, some fresh, chopped mint, and a pinch of sumac on one half of each circle. Fold over and cook in a frying pan over medium heat until golden. Remove, cut into pieces, and serve hot. Heavenly!
Hint: If you can’t find sumac, replace it with lemon zest or a few drops of vinegar.
15. Gozleme Spinach And Cheese Flatbread
This alternative take on gozleme uses mozzarella or halloumi rather than feta for the spinach filling, which includes minced garlic, chopped onion, and egg. These cook inside the dough.
Gozleme can be enjoyed hot or cold, perhaps with a sprinkle of fresh lemon juice and some fresh chopped parsley. They keep for up to three days in an airtight container or can be frozen for up to a month.
Top tip: to ensure your gozleme are crisp, not soggy, ensure the spinach leaves are washed and thoroughly dried before adding to the filling mixture.
16. Crustless Spinach Quiche
If you love the filling of a quiche more than the pastry element, here’s the answer! This easy-to-make vegetarian, low-carb, and keto-friendly take on a classic quiche is perfect for any time of day as a snack or even a main meal.
It’s a delectable combination of spinach, cream, and eggs, with onion, garlic, and kosher salt to season it. It takes only 15 minutes to prep, then around 25 minutes to bake – until the center is firm and the edges are slightly browned. Let it cool slightly, then slice and enjoy!
Hint: this is so good. Make a double batch and freeze half ready to whip out whenever you want a quick and nourishing snack or main.
17. Spinach, Coconut, and Zucchini soup
This vegan spinach soup is full of goodness: spinach, zucchini, leeks, and a touch of warming Indian spice.
If you want to give the basic recipe a Thai twist, add a splash of lime, lemongrass, and chili instead of the Indian ingredients.
Pro tip: adding the spinach toward the end of cooking will create a more vibrant color and an even fresher taste.
18. Instant Pot Wild Rice Soup w/ Spinach & Mushrooms
If you’ve been wondering how to use that leftover wild rice sitting in your store cupboard, here’s a wonderful recipe. It’s more of a casserole than a soup.
Add the sour cream (or the vegan alternative of your choice) and toss in the fresh baby spinach leaves before garnishing with parsley and parmesan shavings and warm crusty bread.
19. Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
There’s so much going on in this 20-minute pasta recipe bursting with healthy ingredients. The creamy sauce packs the intense flavor of sun-dried tomatoes, and the dish’s heat is enough to wilt the fresh baby spinach leaves.
Plenty of scope to add your own twist: throw in some green beans, mushrooms, or broccoli florets, use Greek yogurt, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil. It makes an ideal midweek supper.
20. Easy Lemon Ricotta Pasta & Spinach
Want to create an exciting pasta dish –fast? This fantastic recipe features a no-cook sauce made from ricotta, parmesan, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh lemon.
The simple, healthy ingredients combine perfectly with wilted spinach to make an economical, no-fuss meal in under 15 minutes.
21. Pasta With Spinach Sauce
Another mouthwatering sauce that’s packed with nutrients, this time from the famous chef Giada de Laurentis. The spinach is blended with the sharpness of goat cheese and the tang of garlic to create a tasty sauce before mixing with the cooked pasta to make a savory and filling side or main course.
Feel it would benefit from some more protein? Toss some Italian sausage or chorizo into the mixture, serve with warm crusty bread, and voila! A substantial meal.
22. Tomato, Spinach, & Shrimp Pasta
Spinach makes a perfect partner for seafood, and this colorful dish couldn’t be easier to create! It takes only ten minutes to prep and 20 minutes to cook!
It’s bursting with the fresh flavors typical of Italian/American cuisine and is perfect for casual weekend dining – especially when it’s warm enough to eat al fresco!
23. Chicken and Spinach in Creamy Paprika Sauce
Here’s one for the chicken lovers who love their spinach as well! This is a substantial but straightforward chicken recipe that everyone will love! Adding dry white wine and sauteed garlic adds complexity, and the buttery paprika sauce, with just a tang of lemon, takes it to the next level!
This recipe is ideal when you’re looking to serve a ‘grown-up’ dish that takes less effort than people think!
24. Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast
Chicken breasts are a popular family favorite but can dry out and become boring. This recipe offers an ideal solution that ensures they’ll stay succulent and burst with creamy goodness.
Stuff them with a mix of fresh or frozen spinach, cream cheese, and parmesan, and bake in the oven until the meat is cooked through and the stuffing is melting, oozing, and delicious. Serve over noodles, pasta, or potatoes.
Pro tips: Use a toothpick to hold the chicken breasts closed. If you’re using frozen spinach, defrost and squeeze out all the water before mixing it with the other ingredients.
25. Best Ever Spinach Balls
Looking for a way to use up your spinach? This enticing appetizer recipe for savory bites you can whip up in minutes features spinach, garlic, spices, and two tangy cheeses (parmesan and cheddar), as well as eggs, seasoned breadcrumbs, garlic, and green onions. It couldn’t be easier: put everything in a bowl, mix it, shape it into balls, and bake.
Pro tip: Use an ice cream scoop to help make the balls a regular size – looks better on the serving tray.
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