Creamed Cabbage and Spinach is a delicious side dish complemented by the flavor of bacon and a touch of lemon for brightness and balance.
This is an easy and tasty side dish for any meal or occasion.
Creamed cabbage with spinach goes together quickly and works great with a low carb/keto lifestyle, or just because it's delicious!
Table of Contents Found Here
- The ingredient list:
- Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- How long does this recipe take from start to finish?
- Can the bacon be omitted from this recipe?
- Can frozen spinach be used instead of fresh spinach?
- How to shred cabbage by hand:
- How to shred cabbage using a food processor:
- Why the lemon juice?
- Is there a suitable substitution for the lemon juice in this recipe?
- Additional vegetable side dishes:
- Printable Recipe Card
- Please comment if you've made this recipe.
The ingredient list:
- bacon, chopped
- cabbage, shredded
- onion, sliced
- spinach (fresh shown)
- cream cheese, softened
- fresh lemon juice
- grated nutmeg
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- salt and pepper
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- large skillet with lid
- chef's knife
- cutting board
- food processor (optional)
- cheese grater
- nutmeg grater
- wooden spoon or spatula
- measuring cups and spoons
- aluminum foil (optional in place of a skillet lid)
How long does this recipe take from start to finish?
Cooking the bacon is the thing that takes the longest when it comes to making recipe, and that will take approximately 5-7 minutes on medium/high heat.
After the bacon is cooked, the remainder of the recipe will only take 10-15 minutes because the cabbage cooks down very quickly once it hits the heat.
All total, this recipe takes about 20-25 minutes from start to finish.
Can the bacon be omitted from this recipe?
Sure thing!
Just carry on with the recipe as written but add about a tablespoon of oil (olive oil or canola) to the skillet to take the place of the bacon fat for sautéing the onions.
Can frozen spinach be used instead of fresh spinach?
Yes, not a problem.
Just make sure to thaw it first and to squeeze out as much of the water as possible after it's been thawed.
How to shred cabbage by hand:
How to shred cabbage using a food processor:
Why the lemon juice?
The lemon juice is a very important ingredient in this recipe.
It's the ingredient that cuts through all the richness of the bacon and cheese, and balances all the flavors.
Without it, the dish would be clawingly heavy, and not nearly as flavorful and bright.
Is there a suitable substitution for the lemon juice in this recipe?
In a pinch, feel free to use the same amount of either apple cider vinegar, or white wine vinegar as a substitution for the fresh lemon juice.
Their acidic components will both work equally well to balance out the flavors of the creamed cabbage side dish.
Additional vegetable side dishes:
*Honey Roasted Butternut Squash (pictured below)
You can make Honey Roasted Butternut Squash in an air fryer or a conventional oven. Either way, it’s a delicious seasonal side dish to grace any table.
*Pimento Cheese Mashed Potatoes (pictured below)
Why not give traditional mashed potatoes a little update? Pimento Cheese Mashed Potatoes are easy to make and taste amazing!!
*Sunflower Crunch Salad (pictured below)
Crunchy, healthy, and completely addictive. This Sunflower Crunch Kale and Cabbage Salad has it ALL going on!! Dig in! You’re going to love this colorful salad!
*Creamy Mushrooms and Spinach (pictured below)
Creamy Mushrooms and Spinach can be served as a side dish, a healthy and hearty vegetarian main course, or as a sauce to spoon over a baked potato, noodles, or even steak.
*Creamed Cabbage and Spinach with Bacon (pictured below) THIS IS THE PLACE!!
Want another delicious dinner dish featuring cream cheese? (Who doesn't, right?) Then check out this FIVE SPICE CREAM CHEESE CHICKEN from Running to the Kitchen and I promise you won't be sorry!
When you make today's recipe (and I hope that you will), I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to come back and give it a star rating along with a comment on why you rated as you did.
Search engines such as Google appreciate comments and ratings and, in turn, will show my recipes to more people. Please look for the pink star rating box within the printable recipe card. Thank you!!
Printable Recipe Card
Creamed Cabbage and Spinach
Ingredients
- ½ pound bacon cut into ½" pieces
- ½ large red onion sliced
- 1 medium head cabbage sliced
- 1 8 ounce cream cheese, softened
- 6 -7 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ⅛ teaspoon grated nutmeg
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese plus additional for serving
Instructions
- In a large, high-sided skillet, over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until just shy of crisp.
- Add the red onion slices and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the sliced cabbage, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Cover the skillet and allow the cabbage to cook down for approximately 5 minutes.
- Add the fresh spinach to the skillet, cover, and allow to cook again for 2-3 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add in the softened cream cheese, stirring well to combine.
- Add the grated nutmeg, lemon juice, and ¼ cup of the Parmesan cheese. Stir well.
- Remove from the heat and serve with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Video
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's creamy and cheesy hot cabbage side dish as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
CJ says
Super yummy! I was looking to add more veggies to diet and here you are! I’m eating it now as I text - creamy, crisp, delicately flavored but very notable.
Easy to modify with what’s on hand and food allergies or preferences.
A delicious home run hit for my goal of more veggies. I’m adding it my favorites rotation. We will eat this often!
PS - Congratulations on being a breast cancer survivor. PTL!! We have a niece who is 5 years cancer free this year from a triple threat.
Renée says
I'm so happy that you enjoyed this recipe so much, CJ. Eating more veggies is easy when you have recipes like this that you can easily add into your rotation. Thank you so much for the wonderful review and also for the 5-star rating. Priceless.
I'm doing great after my breast cancer. It's hard to believe it's almost been two years since I first got my diagnosis. I'm so glad your niece is five years clear. That's awesome!!!
Enjoy your day and take good care,
Renee
Merlyn Sterling says
Very good and flavorful. I roasted the chopped cabbage in the airfryer with a couple tablespoons of butter for 13minutes first to get the crispy edges I like so much, but followed the recipe otherwise and it was delicious!
Renée says
Thank you so much for letting me know about the air-fryer tip for crispy edges, Merlyn. That's brilliant!
Also, I appreciate the star rating.
Have a great day!
Renee
kelly says
it was so good I ate it as a main dish next time might even put some shrimp in it also added zucchini
Renée says
I love your idea of adding shrimp and zucchini to this. I'm so happy you enjoyed it.
Now it's time to make it your own. Go for it!
Thanks for the 5-star rating, Kelly!
Renee
Tami says
This was the best cabbage recipe I have ever had !!!!! Im from the south and i have had the best smothered cabbage here .But i am so happy for this awsome recipe and the person who posted this .Hands down the BEST pinterest recipe i have tried .I didnt have cream cheese used sour cream for a substitute. Sorry fofor missed grammer !!! omg i had every pop up in my way of textimg this !! could not see what i was typing
Renée says
Hi, Tammi!
I'm thrilled you enjoyed this recipe so much and gave it 5 stars.
Sorry for the popups though. That is so frustrating.
Take good care,
Renee
Ann says
This was surprising and awesome.
Renée says
I'm so glad you think so! Thanks for the 5-star rating, Ann!
I really appreciate that! Enjoy the recipe!!
Take good care,
Renee
Wilhelmina says
This was so delicious! We are trying to eat low carb, but we struggle with sides. Just meat can feel so boring. This was the perfect way to shake it up!
Renée says
So glad this recipe is able to help you shake things up. You're gonna love it, Wilhelmina!!
Gina says
This recipe seriously takes cabbage to a new level! So decadent and delicious, we love this side dish!
Renée says
Glad to hear it, Gina. Thanks!!
Denise says
Good Morning ... how much fresh spinach?
Thanks sounds great!
Renée says
Oh, my word, Thanks for catching my error, Denise! I really need a copy editor. LOL
6-7 cups of fresh spinach leaves is what I used. You can add more, or less, depending on your love of spinach.
I've since gone in and fixed the recipe. Thanks again for the heads-up!
I appreciate it.
Enjoy!
Renee