Sarra Ina Garten spinach recipes go far beyond a simple sauté, turning this leafy green into rich gratins, flaky pastries, bubbly dips, and elegant soufflés. This collection covers her most popular ways to cook spinach, from a 35-minute puff pastry to a show-stopping cheddar soufflé.
1. Spinach Pie
Frozen spinach mixed with sautéed onion, garlic, ricotta, feta, Parmesan, eggs, and a pinch of nutmeg, then baked until set and deeply savory. The filling is rich and tangy from the feta while the egg holds everything together in clean slices. Ready in about an hour and easy to serve warm or at room temperature.
2. Spinach Puff Pastry
Golden puff pastry wrapped around a filling of spinach, ricotta, feta, Parmesan, garlic, and nutmeg that puffs up crispy and flaky in about 35 minutes. The pastry shatters when you cut into it while the inside stays creamy and warm. One of her fastest and most impressive appetizers.
3. Spinach Gratin
Five pounds of fresh spinach cooked down with butter, onion, garlic, flour, milk, heavy cream, Parmesan, and Gruyère into a rich, creamy baked side with a crispy breadcrumb topping. A hint of nutmeg adds warmth without being obvious, and the cheese melts into a bubbly golden crust. Done in about 45 minutes and feeds a crowd.
4. Spinach Quiche
Sautéed spinach and shallots baked into a custard of eggs, heavy cream, milk, and grated Gruyère inside a buttery homemade crust. The filling puffs up golden around the edges while staying creamy and tender in the center. Takes about an hour and 25 minutes but most of that is hands-off oven time.
5. Spinach Artichoke Dip
Bubbling hot dip made with spinach, chopped artichoke hearts, cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, Parmesan, and melted mozzarella baked until golden on top. The cream cheese and sour cream make the base rich and tangy while the mozzarella pulls into long, stretchy strings. Ready in about 45 minutes and perfect with crackers or crusty bread.
More Spinach Recipes Worth Trying
6. Garlic Sautéed Spinach (via Food Network)
Fresh spinach wilted in olive oil with garlic over high heat in just a few minutes, then finished with butter, a squeeze of lemon, and a sprinkle of sea salt. The garlic stays fragrant without browning, and the lemon brightens every bite. Her simplest spinach recipe and one of the fastest sides in any of her cookbooks.
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7. Baked Spinach and Zucchini (via Food Network)
Wilted spinach and sautéed zucchini layered in a baking dish with eggs, cream, melted butter, Parmesan, and Gruyère, then baked until set and golden on top. The custard holds everything together while staying tender and creamy inside. A savory vegetable side that doubles as a light main course.
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8. Spinach in Puff Pastry (via Food Network)
Two full sheets of puff pastry sandwiched around a savory spinach filling, sealed with egg wash, and baked until puffed and golden brown. The pastry rises into crispy, buttery layers while the spinach stays warm and rich inside. A French-inspired recipe from her Barefoot in Paris cookbook that looks stunning when sliced.
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9. Spinach and Cheddar Soufflé (via Food Network)
Fluffy whipped egg whites folded into a savory cheese sauce of cheddar, Parmesan, and spinach, then baked until puffed, browned, and dramatically tall. The soufflé needs to be served immediately while it’s still risen and airy inside. Impressive enough for a dinner party and surprisingly straightforward to assemble.
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10. Dinner Spanakopitas (via Food Network)
Crispy phyllo dough brushed with butter and folded into triangle-shaped parcels stuffed with spinach, feta, pine nuts, Parmesan, and scallions. Each one bakes until deeply golden and shattering on the outside while the filling stays warm and savory. Finished with flaked salt on top for a salty, crunchy bite.
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11. Chicken and Spinach Waldorf Salad (via Food Network)
Roasted chicken shredded over a bed of spinach, frisée, and kale with crispy bacon, raisins, cheddar, roasted nuts, grated apple, and a tangy mustard-honey vinaigrette. Soft-boiled eggs go on top just before serving for a rich, satisfying finish. A hearty main-course salad that feels like a full meal.
