There aren’t too many nutrition-focused diets and meal plans out there that don’t recommend getting your dark and leafy greens in wherever possible.

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Regarded as one of the best superfoods for the human body, the dark and leafy green of spinach is loaded with the kinds of vitamins and minerals that our bodies don’t just need, but crave.

Vitamin E, vitamin K, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus can all be found in high amounts in spinach. These vitamins, minerals, and nutrients don’t just promote good bone health but also reduce the risk of high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and even cancer.

The importance of incorporating dark leafy greens like spinach in your diet is, therefore, super beneficial for keeping our bodies in peak performance and health.

We know that it can sometimes be a hard task to incorporate the acquired and slightly bitter taste of spinach into your diet, so we are here to help.

Each of the recipes below features a good deal of spinach while remaining positively delicious. Including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drink recipes, this is an essential guide to eating spinach at any time of the day, and actually enjoying it!

1. Spinach Ricotta Brunch Bake

Weekends don’t start off much better than tucking into a hefty slice of this spinach and ricotta pie, lazily, in your own time.

Stacked with every ingredient that makes brunch a good idea in the first place, this is a crowdpleaser that can feed the troops or keep just yourself fed for many brunches yet.

The ingredient list reads like a who’s who of brunch with egg, ricotta, cheddar cheese, bacon, hot sauce, and red bell pepper all wrapped in a flaky puff pastry.

Prepare it in advance or make it fresh on the day, either way, this is a decadent dish to put the world on notice that you mean business this weekend.

2. Spinach Rarebit With Poached Eggs

If the decadent pie at number 1 sounds great but you haven’t got the time for brunch to bake, then spinach rarebit with poached eggs is the next best thing.

Taking just 15 minutes to put together and a whole lot less time to consume, this is a filling meal that will have you out the door quickly and with a full stomach.

It’s a rapid-fire veggie-version of the classic Welsh rarebit that features Worchester sauce and English mustard to really set the British scene.

3. Spinach Pancakes With Smoked Salmon

Whoever said pancakes can’t be savory had clearly never tried these spinach-loaded beauties. Being bright green, it is the color of the pancakes that you first notice when preparing these savory pancakes.

With dill, sour cream, salmon, and a chunk of lemon to drizzle, it is then the undeniable freshness taste that you notice once it’s time to eat.

This is another easy recipe that uses a few fresh ingredients to lift each other up and become one inspiring dish that will impress you first, and your family second.

4. Baked Eggs With Spinach

Known as “green eggs”, this baked dish is ideal for the brunch-lovers who are looking for fewer calories but more taste. At just 200 grams per serving, this is considered a light meal but with a slightly naughty side as it includes a sprinkling of grated gruyére to melt.

The three big ingredients are spinach, mushroom, and egg. Which, served over a slice of toasted sourdough, is enough to make even the most ravenous of eaters happily fed and content.

5. Bacon and Spinach Frittata

Frittata is a delicious dish that can be eaten, quite convincingly, for breakfast, lunch, and even dinner under the right circumstances.

The beauty of a frittata is that once you have put all the ingredients together, it is then left to simmer on low heat, giving you the chance to prepare a side salad or just put your feet up.

The ingredients of this bacon and spinach frittata definitely lend themselves to being devoured mid-morning and are a super healthy and super filling way to start your day.

6. Spinach and Feta Quesadillas With Tomato Salsa

Make enough of these spinach and feta quesadillas and they could be a fully-fledged Mexican main in their own right, but we enjoyed them for their snacky-ness.

Sure spinach and feta aren’t the most authentic Mexican combination of flavors but with a punchy tomato salsa in tow, these quesadillas hit that heavenly spot that only Mexican-style food can.

Served as an appetizer to a more substantial Mexican main, they are all parts crunchy, salty, creamy, and tangy, and will get your guest’s appetites truly singing.

7. Spinach Artichoke Dip

This spinach and artichoke dip is a one-pan recipe that requires a large skillet and a bucket load of cheese.

Ok, well maybe not quite a full bucket load, but with a varied selection of sour cream, mayonnaise, cream cheeses, parmesan, and mozzarella, this is a gooey delight of the highest dipping order.

Enclose the dip with an army of soft bready buns and bake for 2–25 minutes, then serve it to your family and watch how quickly the skillet runs dry.

8. Greek Spanakopita Pie

In almost every bakery and cafe across the entire Greek mainland and islands, you will find Spanakopita. It is a traditional savory pie that is filled with spinach and feta cheese.

If you’ve never had the pleasure of sitting down to a slice of spanakopita then you really should make a point of trying this one out at home. It is simple to make and perfect to serve as a snack, or a main, depending on which way you want to play it.

The phyllo pastry gives Spanakopita a light and crispy outer shell that complements the softness of the spinach and cheese swimmingly.

9. Pea, Spinach and Crab Risotto

This classic Italian risotto benefits from a long cook time for its short-grain arborio rice, and the result is simply to die for. Being essentially stewed in a decadent wine broth, this pea and spinach risotto takes on both a creamy consistency and distinctive flavor.

The recipe takes about an hour to prepare and feeds 4 – 6 people – perfect for a healthy mid-week family meal. The chili crab salsa that is sprinkled on top really compliments the dish and offers a burst of tang and taste.

10. Indian Spinach and Paneer Curry

Known as “Palak Paneer” in India and around the world, this is a delicious curry that doesn’t skimp on the spinach. If you’re not familiar with paneer, it is a traditional Indian cottage cheese that is used in many vegetarian curries and meals to great success.

Palak Paneer is a mild curry with a gentle spice that’s brought on from such spices as fenugreek, cumin, and coriander.

Perfect for children and people who aren’t overly enamored by spice, the creamy spinach sauce is comforting while also being incredibly healthy and flavorsome – a winner-winner spinach dinner indeed!

11. Open Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli

There’s a reason why you shouldn’t mess with a classic, and that is because it is a classic. Loved by young children, Michelin star chefs, and foodies the world over, there is just something so perfect about spinach and ricotta ravioli.

This is an open-style version of ravioli which is less time-consuming to make but just as delicious to eat. Just like many of the great meals of the world, this is super quick to put together and requires just a few ingredients to make.

Be sure to seek out fresh pasta sheets for the best results, but dried pasta works well too.

12. Creamy Pan Seared Salmon

Ummm, is this not the most enticing salmon recipe you ever did see? With pan-seared salmon fillets served under a creamy tomato and spinach sauce, this recipe is enough to get even the most seasoned of eaters salivating well before dinner is served.

The best thing about the recipe is that it can be cooked, from start to finish in under 30 minutes flat.

Not only does this salmon dish have the all-important wow factor to impress guests, but it’s also quick to prepare and packed full of protein and flavor, making it a win no matter which angle you come at it from.

13. Cheesy Spinach Enchiladas

As you may have figured out by know, spinach and cheese have a natural affinity with one another. Cheese is a great companion to spinach as it adds a rich smoothness to the bitterness of spinach.

So it’s too little surprise that these veggie enchiladas are many parts spinach and more parts cheese. Smothered in a rich, tomato-based enchilada sauce, this is a decadent recipe that will have the whole family tucking into their spinach-infused dinner – hook, line, and sinker.

14. Creamy Lemon Chicken

Because cheese and spinach go together so well, it is a little surprise that cream and spinach go together well too. This chicken thigh recipe is poised to become a new household favorite.

Loaded with cream, baby spinach, garlic, lemon, paprika, and thyme, this is a seriously stacked lineup that feels naughty because it is naughty.

A great winter warmer that goes particularly well when served over orzo rice, and please, whatever you do, don’t forget the bread to soak up all that lusciously creamy sauce.

15. Spinach & Artichoke Stuffed Burgers

Who said spinach solely had to be the spitting image of health? If used with the right ingredients spinach can give color and an earthy taste to the most naughty of meals, and they don’t come much naughtier than these stuffed burgers.

A blend of cream cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, spinach, and artichoke hearts have been sandwiched between two patties to bring this big bad burger to life.

A colossal undertaking for most, these burgers will be the showstopper at your next barbeque, as your guests make it their mission to finish these deliciously stuffed spinach and cheese whoppers.

16. Creamy Spinach Soup

If you need a spot of health after simply considering the double-pattie stuffed burger above, then this creamy spinach soup most definitely has a lighter touch.

Through the winter months, it doesn’t come much better than a big bowl of hot, healthy, and comforting soup. This creamy spinach soup recipe has just the right mix of health and comfort, making it a great way to start the week off with a slurp.

17. Bacon-Wrapped Cauliflower

This is one of those brilliant recipes that’s pleasant to make and will leave a lasting impression on the people who are lucky enough to be served a slice. The spinach and cheese mix is actually piped into the underside cavities of the cauliflower to make certain that there’s no chance of escape.

The bacon rashes help to seal the deal and give the cauliflower an irresistible saltiness and final crisp. You could also turn this into a veggie delight by simply replacing the bacon with an olive oil, garlic, and crumb crust, yum!

18. Spinach and Banana Power Smoothie

With many studies proving that eating raw is the optimal way to get the most out of your fruit and veg, smoothies, therefore, are very good at giving your body what it needs. This recipe calls for soy milk, bananas, fresh spinach leaves, and that is it.

The simplicity in ingredients means it is a super quick, super good smoothie to slurp down just before rushing off to work. If you wanted to jazz it up a little, you could add some ginger, apple, or even cinnamon for a more punchy flavor.

19. Spinach and Avocado Smoothie

If you’ve never had the pleasure of sampling avocado in a smoothie – trust us – it works! This spinach and avocado smoothie is a seriously seductive blend of frozen and fresh spinach, half an avocado, fresh or frozen mango, banana, and a good helping of milk.

If you’re doing this as a special treat we’d recommend seeking out fresh mango. However, if you’re looking to incorporate a smoothie into your daily schedule then you can’t deny the ease of frozen fruit.

Whichever way you sway, this is a deliciously creamy and sweet green smoothie to fill you up.

20. Strawberry Spinach Smoothie

With a tropical twang in taste, this strawberry and spinach smoothie is loaded with pineapple and banana. The perfect balance between sweetness and cream, the strawberries, spinach, almond milk, and chia seeds all combine to make a heavenly meal in a glass.

A hot tip is to pre-freeze your bananas. This simple step will make your smoothie deliciously thick, and you’ll have no need to add ice, which only seeks to diminish the richness of ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of eating spinach?

Spinach is packed full of vitamins and minerals that help to support a healthy immune system. Vitamin E and magnesium can be found in high levels within spinach, and are both known to boost the body’s immune system. Other vitamins and minerals found in spinach are vitamin K and calcium which promote bone health too.

Is it ok to eat spinach every day?

Not that a lot of us are aware of it, but there is some controversy that surrounds the idea of whether it is safe to eat spinach every day. In short, the answer is yes, it is safe to eat spinach every day, but you just don’t want to be eating it in excess every day.

Because of its high oxalic acid content, some nutritionists are a bit wary of letting people loose on endless amounts of spinach. Oxalic acid in high quantities is known to prevent the human body from absorbing some minerals and nutrients, which in turn, can be the cause of kidney stones and gout.

All the recipes listed above have safe levels of spinach in them. So as long as you don’t go all popeye on your spinach content, and stick to typical recipe quantities, you should have no problems with oxalic acid, but it’s good to know.

What Foods Go Well With Spinach?

If you have read through the above recipes already, then you will have noticed some common threads in ingredients. Cream, cheese, eggs, and artichokes are all insanely good pairings with spinach.

There’s something about the richness of these foods that knocks the sometimes harsh taste of spinach on the head. The combination of putting all of these ingredients together is when the true magic happens.

Summary

There are many different ways to fit spinach into your diet. Whether that be for health purposes with a superfood smoothie or a more decadent dish that’s heavy on cream and cheese. Whichever recipes have tickled your fancy, we hope that you will have a good time making them and a better time eating them!

The 20 Best Spinach Recipes

Discover the best food, and smoothie recipes found online that feature the super healthy superfood of spinach.

Directions

Pick a recipe from the list above
Click the recipe name and visit the website
Collect the ingredients and cook the food
Enjoy – don’t forget to leave a review

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Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!