Popeye was onto something. Spinach has some pretty remarkable potential health benefits. From improving bone health to anti-cancer properties, this leafy green deserves a spot in your kitchen.
Spinach is one of the most nutrient-rich plant foods, according to a study conducted by the
It’s also a great source of vitamin A, which supports your immune system, vision, and cell growth. Spinach can also play a valuable role in diabetes management. Because of the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid, spinach may increase insulin sensitivity and reduce pain associated with diabetic neuropathy. The antioxidants in spinach are also credited with numerous potential health benefits, including cancer prevention.
But that isn’t all: High iron content makes spinach a good choice for people with or at risk of anemia, according to the national Office on Women’s Health, and the vegetable can help regulate digestion, lower blood pressure, and promote healthy hair and skin.
So, how do you get more spinach in your life? By finding delicious and healthy recipes that include this powerhouse vegetable.
These black bean and spinach enchiladas from Fit Living Eats are a flavorful and healthy dish that would go great with some homemade guacamole and blue corn chips. And they’re vegetarian-friendly, too!
Ditch that jar of readymade (and sodium heavy) spaghetti sauce! Using fresh ingredients, like the spinach, tomatoes and herbs in this recipe, your pasta won’t just taste better, but also be better for you. This would make a great, quick weeknight meal.
Perfect for a cold, hungry night, this hearty Spanish stew is certain to satisfy any appetite. Loaded with savory spices like cumin and paprika, this recipe from Lazy Cat Kitchen is a perfect way to branch out from your typical vegetable stew.
Simple is good, and this recipe from Skinny Kitchen is a pretty easy one. Fresh spinach is sautéed with olive oil, garlic, lemon, salt and pepper, to make the perfect side dish. Serve it with roasted chicken or pan-seared fish.
The options are really endless when it comes to spinach salads. But this one is a great place to start. It has plenty of veggies, along with walnuts, blackberries, and feta cheese.
This may very well be the prettiest soup you’ve ever seen. From Supergolden Bakes, this recipe combines flavorful ingredients into a meal sure to impress your guests or indulge yourself with. Garnish with freshly baked croutons and crispy spinach leaves to finish the visual feast.
This recipe from Tasteful Adventure is a quick and easy way to jazz up your chicken breasts. While it may look indulgent, with just one slice of provolone per serving, it won’t break your diet bank.
If you’ve never made curry before, now’s the time to start. The ingredients in this curry are traditional, but easy to find. As with most curries, it calls for many spices, but all the measuring will be worth it once you take the first bite!
Spaghetti squash is a great alternative to pasta, and this particular recipe adds cheese and spinach to craft some healthy comfort food. If you’re watching your fat intake, cut the cheese by half. Even then, this dish from Vegetarian Gastronomy will hit the spot.
Move over, kale chips. If you’re craving a salty, crunchy snack, but potato chips are out of the question, these spinach chips are a great solution. Keep a close eye on them while in the oven; they can go from crispy to burnt pretty quickly.
Folks who follow a low-carb diet have to get creative sometimes, and this recipe is nothing if not creative. The shells for these tacos are made with spinach, creating flavorful and pretty packets for all of your healthy taco ingredients.
Indian cuisine makes great use of palak, or spinach, and this is just one of its many spinach-heavy dishes. Loaded with spices, it’s the perfect way to try something new and adventurous while getting plenty of spinach in your day.
Burgers don’t have to contain meat. As a matter of fact, there really shouldn’t be rules when it comes to burgers or patties. This recipe from The Village Cook uses spinach and a variety of spices to create gorgeous burgers that would be great on a bun or in a wrap.
It’s a time-honored trick of moms everywhere – sneak vegetables into your recipes and your kids will be healthier and none-the-wiser. These meatballs from Home Cooking Memories is a great example. Watch them devour the yummy baked balls and know you’re encouraging healthy eating habits.
Pair spinach with beans in a rich broth, and you have a great meal for any weeknight. The best part about making a big pot of soup like this one from Damn Delicious is the way your kitchen will smell afterwards (added bonus: you’ll have leftovers to take to work the next day).
Egg bakes make a great breakfast when you have a houseful of guests. If you never have the time for a good breakfast, try whipping up this dish from Kalyn’s Kitchen, portioning it into plastic bags, and heating up a serving before you make it out the door every morning.
Want to supercharge your pesto? This recipe adds spinach to the traditional sauce. Bake it on chicken or stir it into your pasta – you’ll get all of the flavors of a traditional pesto with the added benefits of spinach.
