34 Delicious Fresh Spinach Recipes to Bring Out Your Inner Popeye (2024)

Spinach is renowned for its health benefits, most of which are spurred by its high iron content. If you want restored energy, increased vitality, and improved blood quality, then this is the green for you.

There are so many dishes in which you can use spinach, from basic salads to more complex and restaurant quality meals. I’ve even managed to find some weird and wonderful ways you might never have thought of cooking it. Spinach reduces a whole lot when you cook it because of its high water content, so don’t be shy when adding it to the pan.

I can’t promise that your biceps will swellas Popeye’s did, but I can assure you that whichever one you decide to make, will be delicious.

Weird and Wonderful Spinach Recipes

1. Spinach Spatzli with Brown Butter, Crispy Speck, and Pangrattato

I had to look up almost every single one of these words when I first found this recipe, but I am incredibly glad that I did because I am now completely sold on it.

For anyone as confused as I was, Pangrattato is a spruced up, and delicious sounding version of breadcrumbs and Spatzli is an Italian version of a German soft egg noodle. ThisSpinach Spatzli with Brown Butter, Crispy Speck, and Pangrattato looks like the perfect thing to put together for a slightly more hearty lunch or a weeknight dinner. I love the almost nutty and sweet taste that browned butter gives to a dish and can imagine it would be the perfect match.

2. Spinach Gratin

I haven’t ever tried a Spinach Gratin, but to be honest, I am a sucker for any gratin, so I have no doubt whatsoever that I am going to fall instantly and deeply in love with it.

Something I like about this recipe, in particular, is that it doesn’t sound too heavy. Maybe it’s the use of greens instead of starchy potatoes, but I don’t think it has fallen into the cheesy, creamy trap that many gratins do. I would most definitely serve this up with chicken, as I think theflavors would go perfectly together, although come to think of it, it could be nice topped with any fillet of white fish too.

3. Kale, Spinach, and Goat Cheese Pasta

Having eaten pasta for a good chunk of four years straight as a student, I now tend to veer away from it and go for something a little more adventurous.

Despite this, I will be giving thisKale, Spinach and Goat Cheese Pasta a try. I like the taste that leaves such as kale and spinach give to a pasta dish, and the added bit of texture that they bring too. Not everyone is a big fan of goats cheese, I can only take it in certain doses, but it would be easy to swap it out or adjust the amount of it you add in. Thisrecipe is a perfect weeknight meal, especially when coming home from a cold and dreary day.

4. Spinach and Blue Cheese Pizza

I love a pizza as much as the next person, but I will put my hands up and admit that I am a culprit for always going for the same toppings. Whether it be ham and cheese or just your everyday old margarita, I really should change it up a little.

Even just the utterance of the name of thisSpinach and Blue Cheese Pizza got me excited, and I can’t wait to try it. I think it’s quite a cool concept that this pizza doesn’t have a sauce on the base, it doesn’t need one because of the natural moisture in the onion and spinach. There are a whole lot of other lovely flavors and textures on there, like walnuts and mushrooms, and it is entirely vegetarian which is a plus for feeding the masses.

5. Broccoli, Spinach, and Parmesan Pies

Pies are such a great invention in so many ways. They are convenient, especially when made in little individual dishes like these Broccoli, Spinach, and Parmesan Pies, but also just an all-around comfort food.

Both my mom and granny are avid pie makers, and I have never quite managed to master the art as they do. This recipe looks easy to follow, and the fact that it is topped with mashed potato means no tricky pastry work. I can imagine that these pies would work perfectly as leftovers too, so if you don’t fancy cooking two nights in a row then make up a batch and enjoy them more than once.

6. Smoked Trout and Spinach Scrambled Eggs

TheseSmoked Trout and Spinach Scrambled Eggs sound like the perfect treat for a Sunday breakfast, or brunch if you are anything like me and don’t rise until the later hours on a Sunday.

They are very simple to make, all you need to do is gradually add the ingredients to the pan and scramble them all together. Piled high upon some thick toast, these would be a welcome change to some regular scrambled eggs, and of course, the fish and spinach will add even more health benefits to this full-of-energy breakfast.

7. Creamed Spinach

Thispost wouldn’t be a spinach recipe guide without some classic, simple recipes, and Creamed Spinach definitely falls into that category.

I have honestly never tried creamed spinach before, it’s not a big thing in Britain, but I can’t deny that this both looks and sounds delicious. There are more ingredients in it than I imagined there would be, but that only means that it will pack a punch when it comes to flavor. With no actual cream in this recipe it is far healthier than many others I have come across, so you wouldn’t even have to feel guilty when going back to pop seconds onto your plate.

8. Spinach and Cheddar Twice-Baked Potato

I will eat potato in absolutely any form, apart from raw of course, I love them and their versatility. Baked potatoes are some of my favorites, and I will have them for quick meals or lunches more than I will have a sandwich.

The idea of theseSpinach and Cheddar Twice-Baked Potatoes, stuffed to the brim with filling is so appealing to me. The fact that they can be prepared in advance and then cooked when required is a majorly positive thing. In my house, we always struggle with dinners in the sense that we all arrive home at different times. Anything that can be made in one batch and then warmed up as people want it, just like these can, completely solves that problem.

9. Spicy Chicken Soup

There is nothing more comforting and soul-warming to me than a big steaming hot bowl of soup. I will eat almost every kind of soupoffered, although I must say that my favorites usually involve chicken. It could be a hearty vegetable soup with chicken or a more exotic recipe like this Spicy Chicken Soup; I will wolf it down regardless.

The spinach in this soup gives it beautiful splashes of color and a different texture amongst the meat and vegetables. I like that the soup looks as if it was just thrown together, which it kind of is, it helps to maintain a lovely homemade look in the very best of ways.

10. Creamy Cheddar Quinoa with Chicken and Spinach

ThisCreamy Cheddar Quinoa with Chicken and Spinach is a way of serving up something deliciously cheesy while still tipping the scale towards a healthy and balanced meal.

The use of quinoa instead of rice helps make this a more health-conscious dish. Having the spinach in it is an excellent way of putting something fresh amongst the otherwise creamy, cheesy goodness. This recipe would be easy to adapt, and there are lots of other ingredients you could add to it. You could stick on the healthy side and add some other vegetables, or treat yourself and mix some little bits of bacon into it.

11. Monkfish with Spinach and Feta

I am a big fish fan and am always looking for new but straightforward ways to make fish into a quick mid-week meal.

Monkfish is an excellent meaty fish, so will fill you up even with just the spinach as an accompaniment. This Monkfish with Spinach and Feta would be a nice option for a lighter meal on a warm evening, and I like the fact that it doesn’t have too many complicated or overpowering herbs and spices going on. The feta will add a salty touch, and the method is so simple that you won’t spend more than twenty minutes slaving over a hot stove.

12. Spinach and Garlic Potato Patties

Things like this are a classic creation in my family; we are all fond of taking leftovers like potatoes and meat, adding onion and some spices and frying them up into patties. They are delicious. If you have leftover boiled potatoes, a recipe like this one is great for giving them a new lease on life.

These Spinach and Garlic Potato Patties look like they would taste a lot fresher and lighter than those I am used to, but I am open to that. These would last a few days, so you could have them as snacks, or eat them as part of a bigger meal and save a few for lunch the next day. I would have to dip mine in some yogurt or sour cream, just as the recipe suggests.

13. One-Pot Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes

One-pot-pasta is an absolute lifesaver, for busy parents, students, and frankly, anyone who just detests the thought of washing the dishes.

You can’t go wrong with a classic tomato pasta recipe, and they are great to fall back on if you are feeding fussy kids or anyone you haven’t met before. This recipe forOne-Pot Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes looks light and fresh, with a few, well thought out ingredients. You could easily use a different shape of pasta if you are going to be making this dish for mess prone kids. You can feel like an authentic Italian chef in your own home as you toss in the fresh spinach, bringing specks of bright green to the dish.

14. Chicken Stuffed with Spinach and Pancetta

Stuffed meat has always looked like something that is only achievable by restaurant standard chefs, but this simple recipe forChicken Stuffed with Spinach and Pancetta has made me feel like maybe I could take it on too.

Although it may make it look less fancy, the fact that these chicken breasts are stuffed and held closed with co*cktail sticks makes this far more achievable than stuffed meat with rolling involved. This stuffing looks like the perfect mixture of ingredients, pancetta for a salty flavor and spinach to keep the chicken moist and add a fresh aspect to the otherwise rich dish. Match those two things with some mascarpone to hold it all together, and you have the world’s ideal chicken stuffing if you ask me.

15. Sautéed Spinach with Garlic and Lemon

Another classic staple recipe which is great to have up your sleeve, ready to make at last minute if you realize you’re running a little low on side dishes.

ThisSautéed Spinach with Garlic and Lemon is far more exciting than plain sautéed spinach with the addition of the extra flavors. Because it is so simple, yet delicious, it would pair well with a wide range of dishes, including meats like pork or steak as well as most fish. It would be perfect in both winter or summer, as a side for a more hearty meal in the colder months or a light side dish in the warmer ones. It takes very little time and effort, and is a great way to show off spinach in all its natural glory.

16. Veal and Spinach Lasagne

Lasagne is a great meal in the way that it includes every component of a dish in one slice. There’s meat, vegetables, pasta as a carbohydrate and a sauce. Because of this, it is a great way to feed either a family or a group of people, and also an excellent option for taking to a potluck.

I found many vegetarian spinach lasagne recipes, but I will be honest and say that I don’t think I could get used to lasagne without meat, so thisVeal and Spinach Lasagne sounded best to me. Lasagne is one of those dishes which I actually think tastes better as leftovers when all the ingredients have had time to come together that little bit more. I would make a big batch of this so that we could have it for dinner and then again for lunch the next day.

17. Balsamic Glazed Salmon with Spinach, Olives and Golden Raisins

Salmon is by far one of my favorite kinds of fish; I find that it has such a unique flavor and there are so many different things you can do with it. It is great for lunches in salads or on sandwiches, and even better for dinner with a wide range of toppings and accompaniments.

ThisBalsamic Glazed Salmon with Spinach, Olives and Golden Raisins reminds me of something my mum used to make, and the flavor of balsamic goes so well with the fish. I am not too sure how I feel about the addition of the raisins, but maybe they would bring a welcome sweetness, and they would be an easy thing to omit if you weren’t keen. I like that the spinach doesn’t have anything fancy added to it while being cooked, so you will taste its natural flavor coming through. To make this meal more filling you could quickly add some potatoes on the side.

18. Zucchini Noodles with Spinach Pesto

We do have a spiralizer in the house, but I am yet to try out the relatively recent vegetable pasta trend. I think I have worried in the past that it will be less satisfying and flavorsome than regular pasta recipes, but these Zucchini Noodles with Spinach Pesto don’t look like that would be an issue at all.

Pesto is a great thing to have around the house, and I can imagine this spinach pesto would be a cool alternative to a regular basil one. With that said, you could use this pesto recipe for many other dishes, so don’t hold back from experimenting with it. I was surprised to learn that these noodles can keep for up to four days in the refrigerator, meaning that you could have a couple of last-minute meals at your beck and call whenever you needed them.

19. Spinach and Mashed Potato Croquettes

Spanish tapas is hard to beat, and croquettes are one of my favorite dishes. I would usually opt for the pretty standard cheese and ham variety, but now that I have seen theseSpinach and Mashed Potato Croquettes I am going to have to give them a go.

These would be delicious dipped in some sour cream, and either on their own as a fun snack or as part of a bigger spread. As the recipe suggests, they are a great way to use up the leftover mashed potato, which I personally don’t think tastes too great just re-heated by itself. If you wanted to add some meat you definitely could, by mixing little pieces of ham into them.I can’t imagine my croquettes without cheese in them, so I am thrilled that this recipe sticks to those guidelines.

20. Spinach and Halloumi Salad

It’s always a good idea to have a couple of new and interesting salad recipes up your sleeve for days when you need to throw something together for lunch, but don’t want the same thing you’ve eaten for four days in a row already.

I love the look of this Spinach and Halloumi Salad, both for its convenience and delicious combination of ingredients. There are only four ingredients, and you still get a bit of everything. The halloumi brings a salty flavor and a different texture against the leaves, the spinach is something different to a regular lettuce salad, and the oranges bring sweetness and a summery feel. Grilled halloumi is a great addition to any salad, and this particular one would be easy to pull together in the morning and take to work.

21. Indian Spinach Curry

Now this recipe specifies that it’s for kids, but it looks to me like everyone would enjoy it. A plus side to this specification is that you can be confident that it won’t be too spicy, something that I always have to keep an eye out for when making things like this due to some spice wimps in my family.

This Indian Spinach Curry recipe is incredibly healthy, with spinach and chickpeas making up most of the curry itself. There are many delicious sounding spices in there, all of which you can just tell will come together incredibly well. If you aren’t entirely sold on this recipe, then give it a go anyway, because I can assure you that the smell it will make while you’re cooking it, will be enough to win you over.

22. Bacon, Mushroom and Spinach Pierogies

Little pies and pastries like this are puregenius, in my opinion, they are like little pockets of goodness. They are convenient to eat on the go, or just as delicious along with some potatoes and vegetables as a fuller meal.

I like the combination of ingredients in theseBacon, Mushroom and Spinach Pierogies, and they look far more straightforward to make than I imagined. Because there are no fancy herbs or spices in the filling, they are most likely to go down well with anyone you offer them to, which is always a plus. It’s true they might take a bit of time to perfect, but the result would be worth it. This recipe also suggests three other filling combinations, so you could play around with them until you find your favorite.

23. Spinach, Coconut and Zucchini Soup

After traveling around Asia last summer, I am crazy for anything with coconut milk in it that will remind me of the delicious curries and soups I had while I was there. ThisSpinach, Coconut and Zucchini Soup looks like it sits perfectly in the middle between a homely warming soup and an exotic flavor sensation.

Something that I love about soup is that no matter how long it takes to make it, the method will most likely be incredibly simple. Usually, the process only requires you to stir it every now and again to stop it from sticking to the bottom, otherwise, it will do all the magic itself. Soup can also last such a long time when frozen, so making one big pot will be worth it. The bright green color of this soup is cool, and I like the extra touch of adding some garlic croutons, just to give a bit of texture with that yummy crunch.

24. Paprika Chicken and Spinach with White Wine Butter Thyme Sauce

If thisPaprika Chicken and Spinach with White Wine Butter Thyme Sauce was on a menu in a restaurant, both my eyes and stomach would be going straight for it. Paprika is one of my favorite spices to use in my cooking, mostly because I feel that it’s quite difficult to go wrong with it, and I will rarely make a chicken dish without including it somehow.

This recipe is incredibly simple, but even more incredibly efficient, and that is precisely the kind of recipe I love to follow. The spinach will take on those yummy spices and flavors as it cooks in the creamy sauce, and will perfectly complete a forkful of chicken. I personally would serve this recipe with rice, like a curry.

25. Spinach Hummus

I was reluctant to hop on the hummus lovers bandwagon, but as soon as I did, I was hooked. Hummus is such a fantastic thing to have in the house for multiple reasons; it’s a great snack, sandwich component or toast topping.

I have never tried Spinach Hummus, but with this delicious sounding and simple recipe, I would like to. All it requires you to do is pop all your ingredients into a blender and blitz them up. My favorite way to eat hummus is by dipping carrot sticks and pitta bread into it as a little evening or mid-day snack, it’s heavenly and pulls me away from my usual lousy cookie and chips eating habits.

26. Turkey, Spinach and Cheese Meatballs

I like meatballs usually, never mind when they have been improved to create Turkey, Spinach, and Cheese Meatballs, so I can imagine that I would like these even more.

If you are struggling to find a way to get your kids to eat spinach, then these might just be your savior, with the spinach hidden within the meatballs. They are bound to love the cheesy aspect of them too, so it’s a double winner for you. You could use your favorite store-bought tomato pasta sauce along with these meatballs or go all out and make your own, and of course, the classic way to serve them is atop a mountain of spaghetti.

27. Sweet Potato, Chickpea, and Spinach Coconut Curry

Since my sister became a vegetarian, I have been getting into trying different meat alternatives and vegetarian dishes. Taking after my dad I am a real meat lover, and I did not expect to enjoy as many vegetarian meals as I have, but they can be flavorsome and delicious.

Chickpeas weren’t really something I had tried, but my sister eats them a lot so I thought I should give them a go. They pleasantly surprised me, and I now really want to try them in thisSweet Potato, Chickpea, and Spinach Coconut Curry. It has all the spices and flavors of a traditional curry, just without the meat, which I now don’t mind as much at all. There are a lot of ingredients, but once you have stocked your cupboards up with them, you will be able to make this over and over again.

28. Cheesy Spinach and Artichoke Dip

I love experimenting with different dips, and always use family or friend gatherings as opportunities to try out something new with my guests as my guinea pigs.

I haven’t tried anything like this Cheesy Spinach and Artichoke Dip before, so this might be my next dip attempt. I love both cheese and spinach but haven’t tried artichoke many times before so I will have to see how that goes. I like the fact that it is served warm, and it almost reminds me of a baked camembert dip for bread and vegetable sticks. I would have some excellent quality, fresh bread out to go along with this, and guests could be free to help themselves.

29. Ricotta and Spinach Calzones

Spinach and ricotta are a classic flavor combination and one that I am very fond of. The mix of the creamy cheese with the slight bitterness of the spinach is a divine one.

I love the look of these Ricotta and Spinach Calzones, and although the recipe calls for frozen spinach, you could replace this with fresh as long as you made sure to wash and thoroughly dry it first. These would be best served fresh, and to be honest, I can’t imagine them lasting too much longer than about five minutes since they finished cooking in my house. If you wanted to go the extra mile, you could make a tomato style sauce to go along with them. Because the filling is all stuffed together within the calzone, you could just pick these up and eat them no problem.

30. Turkey Spinach Sliders

Sliders are an easy meal to make any night of the week, and you can even make the patties up to a day in advance ready to cook in the evening.

These Turkey Spinach Sliders will go down well with kids and adults alike, and although the warmer months seem far away now, they would be great on the BBQ. Both the preparation time and the cooking time are quick, so they’re perfect for busy mid-week evenings. Everyone likes different additional toppings on their burgers, but this recipe suggests mayonnaise, onion, and pickles if you’re struggling to pick.

31. Creamy Avocado and Spinach Pasta

I love avocados, and will rarely go a week without consuming at least one or two. I had never thought to use them as a base for a pasta sauce, but now I come to think of it their creamy texture lends them perfectly to that.

The bright green color that the spinach gives to this Creamy Avocado and Spinach Pasta is stunning, and of course, it makes it twice as healthy too. You could remove the parmesan if you wanted, but I personally think that the recipe needs it, to give a nutty, salty taste to the otherwise creamy sauce. I like the suggestion of adding chicken to the dish and think it would change it from a lighter lunch into a more substantial dinner.

32. Spinach and Cheese Savory Muffins

I don’t think I have ever had a savory muffin before, but think they are a great idea for part of a lunch, an afternoon snack or even as a breakfast option.

TheseSpinach and Cheese Savory Muffins are baked precisely like regular muffins, which probably shouldn’t have surprised me, but it did. I am excited to try out this recipe because if they go down well, it could be the opening of an entire world of savory muffin flavors. I love the taste that red peppers get when cooked, almost sweet but still with a little bit of texture to them. That, plus the spinach and the cheese makes them sound like quite the treat.

33. Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli

I find it incredibly handy to have ravioli in the fridge, it is as easy as plain pasta to cook up as a meal when in a rush, but is far more exciting and satisfying.

Whenever I am picking a flavor at the supermarket, I always reach for the Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli, but I have never attempted to make my own. I suppose this is just because I like the speed of having it ready made, but I can tell only by looking at the recipe that it would be far more tasty to take a little time and make it myself. It doesn’t look tricky at all, and this recipe has three separate sections for the pasta, filling, and sauce, which is extremely helpful for a first timer. I must add that the tomato cream sauce looks particularly delicious.

34. Gnocchi with Spinach and Tomatoes

ThisGnocchi with Spinach and Tomatoes looks like the most comforting meal, and I can imagine piling it high in a bowl and cozying down on a cold evening.

Most gnocchi that I have either made or come across has been made with a tomato style sauce, so I like the fact that this one is a little different with more of a creamy base. The sauce is cashew, which is yet another new thing for me, and I am very intrigued to see how it would taste. I think the spinach is needed in this recipe, and it will save a forkful of gnocchi from seeming stodgy, which I think can sometimes happen. This recipe is entirely vegan and entirely quick to make.

Concluding our selection of Wonderful Spinach Recipes

I began my research thinking that there were quite a few things you could do to make spinach exciting, but I never expected to find as many recipes that made my mouth water as I did. Fresh spinach is inexpensive, and an easy green to incorporate into many dishes to increase their nutritional value.

I am struggling to pick just a few favorites from this list, but as a fish fan, I will have to put both the Monkfish with Spinach and Feta and the Balsamic Glazed Salmon with Spinach, Olives and Golden Raisins pretty high up there. I will be making a huge pot of the Spinach, Coconut and Zucchini Soup to keep me warm for the rest of the winter too.

Do you already use spinach often in your cooking? What new use have you found for it that you are just itching to try out?