11 Healthy Recipes That Sneak Spinach into Your Diet

Pictured: Hefty Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups recipe from CHOW

One sure sign that spring’s approaching is the sight of perky green spinach leaves at the market. While the leafy green is available year-round, it’s at its peak during the cooler months of fall and spring, which means it’s coming into abundance right about now. In addition to being affordable both fresh and frozen, spinach is full of phytonutrients and antioxidants, as well as vitamins K, A, B6, and C. Not so into the idea of eating raw spinach salads? That’s OK—the lightweight leaf takes well to blending, steaming, sautéing, and more, so it’s a great candidate for sneaking into dips, finger foods, sauces, and even pastries.

1. Garlicky Kale and Spinach Dip

CHOW

If you’re more into snacks than smoothies, get in your greens by blending spinach with kale and pine nuts for a piquant dip that pairs nicely with root vegetable chips. Get our Garlicky Kale and Spinach Dip recipe.

2. Steamed Vegetable Dumplings

CHOW

Spinach is the star of these steamed Chinese dumplings, which begin with a cooked filling of chopped spinach, rehydrated shiitake mushrooms, and pressed tofu. Get our Steamed Vegetable Dumplings recipe.

3. Spinach Pesto Fusilli

CHOW

For a milder, sweeter pesto, substitute baby spinach for basil; toss with al dente fusilli. Get our Spinach Pesto Fusilli recipe.

4. Chicken Stuffed With Spinach and Feta

CHOW

Want a simple way to wake up your tired chicken breast dinner? Stuff it with a Greek-inspired spinach and feta filling. Get our Chicken Stuffed with Spinach and Feta recipe.

5. Spinach and Basil Hummus

CHOW

Make homemade hummus even healthier by slipping in two parts spinach leaves to one part sweet basil. Get our Spinach and Basil Hummus recipe.

6. Baked Oysters With Bacon and Spinach

Saveur

Not quite the spinach salad type? That’s OK—we think you’ll hardly notice the leafy green in this breadcrumb- and bacon-topped oyster appetizer. Get the recipe here.

7. Fresh Spinach Dip

CHOW

If you love creamy, cool spinach dip but find yourself questioning the authenticity of its ingredients, make your own. This version starts with fresh spinach leaves and sour cream, not frozen spinach and dehydrated soup mix. Get our Fresh Spinach Dip recipe.

8. Spinach Meatloaf

CHOW

Our contemporary version of meatloaf includes spinach and celery in the mix, a bacon crust, and tomato sauce to keep things moist. Get our Spinach Meatloaf recipe.

9. Indian Chickpea Curry With Spinach

CHOW

Next time you’re in the mood for Indian, make a batch of chickpea-studded chana masala with a few cups of baby spinach tucked in. Get our Indian Chickpea Curry with Spinach recipe.

10. Freezer-Friendly Spinach Feta Breakfast Wraps

The Kitchn

These freezable spinach, feta, and tomato wraps make a fantastic on-the-go breakfast. Get the recipe here.

11. Spinach and Weisswurst Quiche

CHOW

This recipe takes a nod from both French and German cultures with its flaky crust and finely textured veal sausage. It’s ideal for breakfast, dinner, or any occasion in between. Get our Spinach and Weisswurst Quiche recipe.

Susannah Chen is a San Francisco–based freelance writer. When she's not cooking or writing, she's on the hunt to find the world's best chilaquiles. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.