40 Delicious Ways to Use 1 Bag of Spinach

By , SparkPeople Blogger
Popeye was onto something. Packed with nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants, spinach is definitely a powerhouse in the world of vegetables. The dark, leafy green has been shown to serve up a myriad of benefits, including preventing cancer, managing diabetes, increasing bone health, lowering blood pressure and improving hair and skin health.
 
As with most good-for-you foods, though, spinach can sometimes get a bad rap for being less than appetizing—but we're here to dispel that age-old myth. There are plenty of tasty and creative ways to enjoy the versatile veggie—and we definitely don't mean straight out of the can, Popeye-style. Keep a bag of frozen or fresh spinach on hand at all times, and you'll be one step closer to whipping up one of these nutritious and delicious recipes.

Spinach-Banana Smoothie: Get in your superfoods on the go! Perfect as a light meal replacement or a full breakfast.


Image courtesy of  Avocado Pesto

Instant Pot Chicken With Mushrooms, Spinach and Artichoke Hearts: If you have an Instant Pot, you can prepare this whole-foods dinner in just 30 minutes.


Image courtesy of Mommy's Memorandum

Roasted Radish, Spinach and Almond Salad with Balsamic Coconut Vinaigrette: Never soggy, always fresh and unapologetically vegan, this makes the perfect light, flavorful lunch.


Image courtesy of The Healthy Apple

Spinach, Cheese and Ham Stuffed Chicken Breast: You won’t even miss the carbs in this nutritious powerhouse of a chicken dish.



Spinach and Artichoke Ravioli Bake: The chef who created this recipe sautéed fresh baby spinach over the stovetop before adding it to the recipe.


Image courtesy of The Cooking Jar

Pineapple Spinach Smoothie Bowl: Loaded with healthy ingredients, these bowls make a fun breakfast or snack for the whole family.


Image courtesy of Amanda's Cookin'

Spinach With Golden Raisins and Pine Nuts: Fresh spinach pairs nicely with the sweetness of raisins and the crunch of pine puts.



Seared Chilean Sea Bass: Wilted sesame spinach makes a flavorful foundation for a seared sea bass fillet, topped with a Vietnamese-inspired sauce.


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Blueberry, Asparagus and Spinach Salad: With just five minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cook time, this gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian dish makes healthy eating simple.


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Easiest, Cheesiest Tortellini Bake: Feed your cheese craving while getting in your greens.


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Butternut Squash Curry With Spinach and Chickpeas: Who needs Thai takeout when you can prepare this creamy, flavorful and fragrant dish at home?


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Hot Spinach Dip: Plenty of fresh spinach makes this crowd-pleasing party dip more filling, and balances out the supreme cheesiness.


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Slow Cooker Beef and Cheese Pasta: This kid-friendly meal will get everyone full and happy with only 10 minutes of prep time.


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Baked Eggs in Spinach and Tomato: A delicious breakfast of baked eggs in spinach and tomato, packed with nutrients and amino acids.


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Spinach and Orzo Salad: Fresh greens are made more interesting with the addition of feta cheese, toasted pine nuts, chopped red onions, sun-dried tomatoes and Kalamata olives.


Image courtesy of One Dish Kitchen

Chicken and Spinach Enchiladas: Fresh chopped spinach is paired with flavorful chicken and a satisfying, creamy white sauce.


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Vegetarian Breakfast Casserole: This delicious dish is made with 12 eggs and impressive amount of green vegetables for a nutrient-rich start to your day.


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Purple Potato and Spinach Salad with Walnuts: Add a splash of fun color and delicious textures to your standard spinach salad.


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Spinach and Pine Nut Pesto: This delicious mixture can be served over grilled chicken, tossed with pasta, spread on sandwiches or served as a dip.


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Veggie Lasagna: Sautéed baby spinach meets Crimini mushrooms, ricotta and mozzarella cheeses and grated zucchini.


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Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke Dip: Perfect for a potluck, this super-rich and creamy dip is delicious with whole-grain bread, veggies or kale chips.


Image courtesy of The Cooking Jar

Homestyle Sausage, Potato and Spinach Soup: On cold days, stir fresh baby spinach into this hearty and satisfying soup.


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Green Smoothie Popsicles: A light, refreshing and fun way to up your daily veggie intake.


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Crustless Spinach Quiche: Salty ham and Swiss cheese are the perfect complements to fresh baby spinach.


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Maple Roasted Carrot Salad: Roasted carrots, dried cranberries and toasted walnuts blend deliciously with fresh baby spinach.


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Spinach- and Mozzarella-Stuffed Turkey Meatloaf: This yummy, low-calorie alternative to meatloaf is sure to be a family favorite.




Roasted Summer Vegetable Quinoa Salad: Tossed with fresh baby spinach, this salad serves as a refreshing and satisfying make-ahead lunch or side dish.


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Healthy Guacamole With Hidden Spinach: Taco Tuesday just got a little healthier—but the fam will be none the wiser.


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Feta and Spinach Egg Whites: Salty feta and velvety eggs combine beautifully with wilted spinach for a filling breakfast that's high in protein.



Spinach and Three Cheese Manicotti: You can steam frozen spinach or cook down  fresh spinach for this dish.


Image courtesy of The Cooking Jar

Warm Spinach Antipasto Salad: Filled with salami, parmesan, roasted eggplant, peppers and red onions, it's healthy and easy to make.


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Cilantro-Lime Tilapia with Spinach and Tomatoes: Light and luscious, this simple baked tilapia recipe is just right for your appetite.


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Pomegranate Clementine Spinach Salad: Add your choice of protein to make it even more filling and satisfying.


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Cheesy Spinach Enchiladas: You can’t go wrong with this meatless version of a classic Mexican dish.



Quinoa Spinach Bake: Enjoy it on its own, or serve it with mashed avocado and hummus or a side of plain Greek yogurt.


Image courtesy of The Healthy Apple

Saucy Tomato and Artichoke Chicken Recipe: Ready in less than 15 minutes and made with just four ingredients, it's the perfect healthy and easy weeknight dinner.



Image courtesy of Fannetastic Food

Strawberry Spinach Salad With Poppy Seed Dressing: Toasted almonds, diced avocado, creamy cheese and fresh fruit add an explosion of flavor and texture to this salad.


Image courtesy of The Seasoned Mom

Cream of Spinach and Kale Soup: It doesn't get much healthier or more comforting than this hearty soup.


Image courtesy of One Clever Chef

Cucumber Tropical Smoothie: Enjoy all the benefits of a green smoothie, along with the delicious flavors of tropical fruits.


Image courtesy of Amanda's Cookin'

Spinach-Feta Personal Pizza: This quick-and-easy thin-crust pizza makes a nutritious, yummy dinner for one.


 
What is your favorite way to enjoy spinach?