Spinach: The Secret Ingredient You Need in Your Kitchen

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Spinach is often overlooked as a boring salad green, and although it is fantastic in salads, this nutrient-packed leafy vegetable deserves a starring role in your kitchen. This versatile super food, brimming with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, can elevate any dish from ordinary to extraordinary. Bring an earthy flair to loaded fries with spinach gravy or stuff fresh spinach into bread with tangy crumbled feta cheese. From Greek spanakopita to green goddess grilled halloumi burgers you’ll find a new and exciting way to use this humble green leaf.

Grilled Halloumi Burgers

A sandwich with grilled halloumi, spinach, and alfalfa sprouts on a soft bun, placed on a piece of parchment paper.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

Try these green goddess grilled halloumi burgers for a new twist on vegetarian burgers. Toasted buns are filled with grilled halloumi cheese, topped with a herby yogurt dip, fresh spinach, crispy cucumber slices, and a nest of alfalfa sprouts.

Get the recipe: Grilled Halloumi Burgers

Palak Paneer Fries

Fries coated in green spinach gravy and cubed paneer cheese.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

Create a lightly spiced Indian-style spinach gravy from scratch using spinach and chunks of paneer cheese. Spread the creamy, savory sauce and cheese on top of crisp baked French fries for an Indian-inspired Poutine.

Get the recipe: Palak Paneer Fries

Vegan Spanakopita

A large pastry swirl on a plate beside a fork.
Image Credit: Erika Piper for The Veggie Yaya

This vegan spanakopita is all about crispy, flaky phyllo dough wrapped around a savory spinach and creamy vegan feta filling (made with tofu!). Brushed with vegan butter and baked to golden perfection, it delivers all the flavor and texture you love, minus the dairy.

Get the recipe: Vegan Spanakopita

Spinach Cheese Bread

A sideways slice of bread with herby green bits and cheese.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

This spinach and cheese bread is made with zesty garlic, fragrant oregano, and flavorful feta and Parmesan cheeses. The bread has the soft feel of focaccia, and is filled with a tasty spinach and feta pesto.

Get the recipe: Spinach Cheese Bread

Spicy Chimichurri Sauce

A bowl with green herby sauce surrounded by breaded cubes.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

This spicy chimichurri sauce is a bold and delicious condiment that adds a spicy, garlicky boost to any dish. Use it on grilled meats, as a marinade, as a sandwich spread, or as a dip.

Get the recipe: Spicy Chimichurri Sauce

Spinach Salad With Apples And Pecans

A bowl with a salad of spinach, arugula, sliced apples, and goat cheese.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

This simple spinach and arugula salad features sweet apple slices, tangy feta, and crunchy pecans. Finished with sunflower and pumpkin seeds and a honey balsamic vinaigrette, it’s a perfect blend of flavors and textures.

Get the recipe: Spinach Salad With Apples And Pecans

Spinach And Feta Spring Rolls

Rolled baked pastries on plate with a small bowl of sauce.
Image Credit: Erika Piper for The Veggie Yaya

Fresh spinach and creamy feta are wrapped in crispy spring roll wrappers, creating a spanakopita-inspired treat. These are the perfect finger food and are incredibly easy to make.

Get the recipe: Spinach And Feta Spring Rolls

Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta

A plate of pasta with tomato-based sauce, topped with sliced grilled chicken and garnished with chopped parsley. A fork rests on the plate's edge.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

This creamy tomato pasta sauce is ideal for pairing with seasoned, tender chicken breast, fresh spinach, and perfectly cooked linguine. Rich and comforting, this delicious pasta dish comes together in just 30 minutes.

Get the recipe: Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta

Spinach And Feta Bread

A slice of bread with herby green flecks.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

This savory spinach feta cheese bread is an ideal treat for any time of day and comes together in no time. It’s sure to become a favorite in your household.

Get the recipe: Spinach And Feta Bread

Tomato And Spinach Tortellini Soup

Two bowls of tomato soup with tortellini and shredded cheese. A spoon rests in one bowl.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

Store-bought tortellini makes it easy to get this delicious tomato-based soup on the table in just 20 minutes. With just 7 ingredients, this comforting meal comes together using a few basic shortcuts.

Get the recipe: Tomato And Spinach Tortellini Soup

Rice Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

A stuffed large mushroom with toasted breadcrumbs and a sprig of thyme on top.
Image Credit: Erika Piper for The Veggie Yaya

Portobello mushrooms stuffed with wild rice, herby caramelized onions, and spinach, then topped with toasted herbed panko and baked until golden brown. This recipe is perfect for a hearty healthy dinner.

Get the recipe: Rice Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Lasagna Stuffed Chicken Parmesan

A stuffed chicken breast on a plate in a circle of tomato sauce.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

Juicy chicken breast is stuffed with a blend of cream cheese, ricotta, spinach, and tomato sauce, reminiscent of classic lasagna. Coated with a crispy pecan meal crust and topped with more tomato sauce and melted mozzarella, it combines the best of lasagna and chicken Parmesan in one delicious dish.

Get the recipe: Lasagna Stuffed Chicken Parmesan

Avocado Chickpea Spread

Two stacked sub buns filled with smashed chickpeas, spinach, and cucumber slices.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

This chickpea avocado salad sandwich spread is a delicious lunch option. Spread the creamy smashed chickpea and avocado mixture with green onions and fresh herbs on your favorite bread or bun, then stack piles of spinach and cucumber on top.

Get the recipe: Avocado Chickpea Spread

Spinach And Bacon Quiche

A whole quiche beside muffins topped with cheese.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average.

Looking for an easy all-in-one meal? This spinach bacon and bleu cheese quiche is quick to prepare, and is incredibly tasty.

Get the recipe: Spinach And Bacon Quiche

Spinach Breakfast Salad With Egg

Salad in a bowl topped with cheese, a poached egg, and toast.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

Coat salad greens in olive oil, then add blueberries, fresh mozzarella balls, and cherry tomatoes. Top with pecans and a perfectly poached egg for a delicious and nutritious breakfast salad.

Get the recipe: Spinach Breakfast Salad With Egg

Spinach And Feta Grilled Cheese

A halved stacked toasted sandwich filled with cheese and spinach.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

Enjoy gourmet flavors with this green and tangy, crispy, and melty grilled cheese sandwich. Spinach and feta add a tasty twist to the classic grilled cheese, making it perfect for a quick lunch or easy dinner.

Get the recipe: Spinach And Feta Grilled Cheese

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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