Upgrade your greens game with this delicious Sautéed Spinach! Easy to make with just a handful of ingredients, it's ready in minutes and makes a delicious side dish for any meal!

Anyone who knows me knows I'm ALL about veggies... and this Sauteéd Spinach recipe is one of my all time favorites. It's insanely easy to make, ready in 10 minutes or less, and surprisingly delicious. As in I could definitely eat the whole pan!

The first time I ever tried it was at a small tapas restaurant in Milwaukee. It's one of my very favorite restaurants, and everything I've ever tried there has been amazing. Of course, Sauteed Spinach is the most unassuming thing on the menu... and to be honest I was hesitant to even order it. But once I did, I never looked back.

If you've never tried cooked spinach, it's easy to assume you won't like it. To be honest... raw spinach isn't my favorite. But there's something about the cooking process that changes not only the texture, but the flavor of it. And the end result is absolutely delicious.

Ingredients

I used an 8 ounce bag of spinach, which is the equivalent of about 8 cups. You can also opt to use spinach by the bunch. Just be aware that it cooks down significantly, so 8 ounces will make an adequate side dish for only 4 people.

• 8 ounces fresh baby spinach
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

The goal in cooking spinach is to cook it just enough that it's beginning to wilt, without losing all the moisture. Since spinach cooks quickly, this is really only a 2-3 minute process. You'll want to be sure to use a large skillet and stir it constantly to force the top leaves to the bottom of the pan and vice versa.

Saute the garlic - heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes, until garlic is fragrant but not browned.

Add the spinach - add the spinach and stir constantly, being sure to cook all the spinach leaves evenly. Cook 2-3 minutes, until wilted.

Sprinkle with Parmesan - remove spinach from heat and sprinkle it with finely grated Parmesan cheese. 

Enjoy - season with additional salt and pepper as desired. Enjoy!

Recipe variations

Here are some of our favorite variation and substitution ideas for making this recipe your own:

• Substitute butter for the olive oil or use a combination of the two
• Use any type of fresh spinach leaves
• Add ¼ cup minced onion and sauté with the oil before adding the minced garlic
• Add whole sautéed garlic cloves
• Add 2-4 pieces diced bacon to the olive oil and cook until crispy before adding the spinach
• Add additional seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or cayenne pepper
• Omit the Parmesan cheese or substitute feta, goat cheese, or any of your favorites

Related recipes

If you love veggies and are looking for more delicious ways to prepare them, these are some of our favorites!

• Sauteed Brussels Sprouts
• Parmesan Roasted Green Beans
• Garlic Roasted Asparagus
• Honey Glazed Carrots
• Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
• Soy Glazed Shishito Peppers