Name: River Road Spinach Madeline
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach; 0.5 cup water; 0.25 cup butter; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons chopped onion; 0.5 cup evaporated milk; 6 ounces processed cheese spread with jalapeno (such as Velveeta(R)), diced; 0.75 teaspoon celery salt; 0.75 teaspoon garlic salt; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; 0.5 teaspoon black pepper; 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste; salt to taste

A timeless Southern classic, this creamy spinach dish gets a delightful kick from jalapeño cheese, making it the perfect comforting side.

Follow The Directions

01

Step

In a saucepan over high heat, combine frozen spinach and water. Bring to a full boil, then reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook for 8 minutes, then separate the spinach with a fork and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid. (Total time: ~10 minutes)

02

Step

In a separate saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Add flour, stirring until blended and smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, approximately 5-7 minutes. (Total time: ~9 minutes)

03

Step

Slowly incorporate the evaporated milk and reserved cooking liquid, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture is smooth and thick, around 3-5 minutes. Add the diced cheese spread, celery salt, garlic salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt. Cook and stir until the cheese is melted, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the cooked spinach until well combined. (Total time: ~8 minutes)

04

Step

Serve immediately. Enjoy!

For a richer flavor, consider using freshly grated Parmesan cheese in addition to the jalapeño cheese spread.
Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control the level of spiciness to your liking.
This dish can be prepared ahead of time and reheated. Add a splash of milk if it seems too thick upon reheating.

Delta Bernier

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 4.6/ 5 ( 13 Ratings)

Total Reviews: (6)

Alessia Mraz
Jun 18, 2025
The reserved spinach liquid really made a difference.
Josephine Hauck
Apr 29, 2025
I made this ahead of time, and it was perfect for our potluck.
Selmer Treutel
Apr 15, 2025
I added a little nutmeg, and it was amazing!
Mason Oconner
Mar 4, 2025
My kids, who usually hate spinach, actually ate this!
Melissa Prohaska
Feb 26, 2025
So easy to make, and way better than any other spinach dish I've tried.
Rosa Kris
Dec 15, 2024
This was a huge hit at Thanksgiving! Everyone loved the little kick of heat.

River Road Spinach Madeline

Ingridients

Nutrition

Follow The Directions

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Delta Bernier

Written by

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RECIPE REVIEWS

Alessia Mraz

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