Parmesan Spinach Side Dish

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This Spinach with Butter and Parmesan is a simple, yet delicious side dish recipe that only takes 4 ingredients and 5 minutes to make!

Prep Time: 3

Cook Time: 2

Total Time: 5

Servings: 2 servings

Calories: 265kcal

3 tablespoons butter salted is best
3 cloves garlic smashed with the flat side of a knife
salt and pepper to taste
1 lb baby spinach OR fresh spinach washed and large stems trimmed
1-2 ounces good quality parmesan cheese such as Grana Padano or Parmigiano Reggiano, grated

Melt the butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat, the add in the garlic. Season with a pinch of salt and a few cracks of pepper, then sauté for about a minute or two until it just starts to turn golden brown.
Throw in the spinach and toss around until it starts to wilt - this will happen very quickly. Sprinkle a little more than half of the parmesan over the top and toss some more.
Remove from the heat to prevent overcooking - you want the spinach to be just wilted - and season with more salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the spinach and all of the juices into a serving bowl, then grate the remaining parmesan over the top and serve.

Don't overcook the spinach. It's best when just barely wilted. It cooks incredibly quickly—usually in less than 2 minutes—so keep a close eye on it. Overcooked spinach turns dark, mushy, and bitter.
Add the cheese off the heat. Make sure to remove the pan from the heat before adding the final sprinkle of Parmesan. This prevents the cheese from melting too much and sticking to the pan.
Season carefully. Because spinach is so light, it can be easily oversalted. Start with a light touch and taste before adding more salt.
Save those stems. If using bunched spinach, don't discard the trimmed stems. They're perfect for juicing, making soups, or adding to green smoothies.