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    Home » Blog » Vegetables

    30 Tasty Baby Spinach Recipes

    Published: Sep 12, 2023 by Tiffany Dahle · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    A photo collage shows several ways to use a bag of baby spinach for dinner.

    These baby spinach recipes help ensure your bag of baby spinach won't go to waste in the fridge! There are so many delicious dinner ideas where you can stir in a little spinach for a dash of color and more flavor.

    A brown bowl filled with raw baby spinach leaves.

    Ok, we've all seen those memes about how bags of baby spinach end up going to waste in our fridge.

    We buy them with such good intentions but then the thought of using them in a salad and they just keep getting brushed aside.

    Not anymore! Now you are going to be armed and ready with the most delicious baby spinach recipes ever.

    You'll find yourself reaching for that bag of baby spinach over and over so that you can sprinkle some fresh green leaves into almost anything you're cooking!

    Here are my family's top favorite baby spinach recipes, I hope your family loves them, too.

    Jump to:
    • Why These are the Best Recipes
    • Baby Spinach Appetizers
    • Cold Spinach Dip
    • Crescent Roll Veggie Pizza
    • Spinach Quiche
    • Soups with Fresh Spinach
    • Italian Wedding Soup
    • Tortellini Soup
    • Spinach Pasta Salads
    • Chicken Pasta Salad with Grapes
    • Asian Chicken Pasta Salad
    • Spinach Pasta Recipes
    • Baked Cheese Tortellini
    • Goat Cheese Pasta with Spinach
    • Tuscan Chicken Pasta
    • Italian Sausage Pasta Casserole
    • Easy Garden Lasagna Cups
    • Lasagna Roll-Ups
    • Fresh Tomato Pasta with Spinach
    • Pesto Chicken Casserole
    • Comfort Food with Spinach
    • Spinach Rice with Shrimp
    • Chicken Spinach Alfredo Pizza
    • Garnish a Turkey Burger
    • Spinach Salad Recipes
    • Crispy Rice Salad
    • Spinach and Citrus Salad
    • More Delicious Ingredients
    • 💬 Comments

    Why These are the Best Recipes

    I'm always looking for ways to make our family meals just a little more healthy. I think these are the very best baby spinach recipes because:

    1. Kid-Friendly: Whether or not your kid is a picky eater, it can be tricky to get kids to like spinach. These dishes are all kid-approved by my own daughters.
    2. Wide Variety: Whether you're stirring it into an appetizer, wilting it down in a pasta recipe, or chopping it up to add to a casserole, there are so many different ways you can use baby spinach beyond the salad plate.
    3. Amazing Flavors: Spinach has a strong flavor but it doesn't need to overpower your dish. These recipes offer spinach at its best with complementary flavors like bright lemon, rich cheeses, and savory tomato sauces.

    Baby Spinach Appetizers

    I've learned one of the best ways to get my kids to like a new vegetable is to make it a yummy appetizer with chips or crackers.

    One of the most requested dips in our house is the cold spinach dip my daughter and I perfected together!

    Cold Spinach Dip

    This cold spinach dip recipe was tweaked to perfection to match a prepared dip we found at a local deli shop that my daughter loves. She swears it tastes even better than the original!

    Cold Spinach Dip
    This easy spinach dip recipe is best served chilled. Simply mix together the spinach and cream cheese base for a delicious dip for bagel chips and crackers.
    4.67 from 3 votes
    GET THE RECIPE
    A bowl of spinach dip is served with bagel chips for dipping.

    Crescent Roll Veggie Pizza

    I absolutely love my crescent roll veggie pizza recipe because you can mix and match your family's favorite vegetables for the topping.

    If you want to use up some bagged baby spinach, just be sure to give it a rough chop so you can sprinkle it in with the other diced veggies.

    Crescent Roll Veggie Pizza
    This cold veggie pizza appetizer is a favorite party snack that is easy to make ahead the day before. Buttery crescent roll dough is spread with ranch seasoned cream cheese and topped with your favorite raw veggies.
    5 from 37 votes
    GET THE RECIPE
    A veggie pizza has been sliced and served with a small spatula.

    Spinach Quiche

    My easy quiche recipe is the base for mixing in your favorite combinations of ingredients.

    If you want to make a spinach quiche, you can add the chopped baby spinach with some shredded cheese and even consider adding diced ham.

    Easy Quiche
    This classic quiche recipe can be mixed and matched with your favorite fillings to make a delicious egg dish for your brunch menu.
    4.50 from 2 votes
    GET THE RECIPE
    A slice of spinach quiche is on a plate next to additional baby spinach.

    Soups with Fresh Spinach

    Stirring in some fresh baby spinach to a hot soup is one of my favorite ways to serve spinach to my family because it quickly wilts down into the broth.

    It adds a beautiful dose of color to an otherwise brown soup and the flavor it gives each bite brightens up the quick soups made with prepared chicken stock.

    Italian Wedding Soup

    You can make Italian wedding soup with homemade or frozen meatballs and a bit of baby spinach will make the whole dish taste more fresh.

    Italian Wedding Soup
    Easy Instant Pot Italian wedding soup can also be made on the stovetop for a quick weeknight dinner using frozen meatballs for a fast shortcut.
    5 from 1 vote
    GET THE RECIPE
    A bowl of soup has meatballs, couscous, and carrots with spinach in chicken broth.

    Tortellini Soup

    Add a bag of baby spinach to a package of cheese tortellini for this light and healthy tortellini soup loaded with fresh vegetables.

    Weight Watchers Tortellini Soup
    This light and healthy tortellini soup features plenty of fresh veggies and is only 4 WW points per serving.
    4.42 from 12 votes
    GET THE RECIPE
    A light and healthy tortellini soup has spinach and carrots floating in the broth.

    Spinach Pasta Salads

    Substitute a bag of baby spinach for regular salad greens and your pasta salad will have so much more flavor.

    Chicken Pasta Salad with Grapes

    Tender pasta, savory chicken, and sweet grapes are the perfect match for fresh baby spinach in one of my all-time favorite chicken pasta salads.

    Chicken Pasta Salad with Grapes
    This light and refreshing chicken pasta salad with grapes is the perfect recipe to serve for a luncheon or shower. The zippy dressing, juicy grapes and crispy vegetables give the chicken salad extra crunch.
    5 from 1 vote
    GET THE RECIPE
    A serving of grape and chicken pasta salad is on a plate with a fork.

    Asian Chicken Pasta Salad

    For a deeper, more savory flavored pasta salad, don't miss the crispy-crunchy Asian chicken pasta salad on a bed of baby spinach with red peppers and carrots.

    Asian Chicken Pasta Salad
    This refreshing chicken pasta salad is loaded with raw veggies and a delicious savory Asian marinade. Make a batch for easy work week lunches or for serving at a party.
    4.67 from 3 votes
    GET THE RECIPE
    The finished salad is in a white bowl with 2 chicken tenderloins on a bed of pasta salad with baby spinach.

    Spinach Pasta Recipes

    Pasta and spinach go hand in hand because just like with the soups, the spinach will wilt down quickly in a hot pasta sauce or even just from the heat of the noodles themselves.

    Spinach pairs so well with rich tomato sauces, light and lemony pasta sauces, and adds flavor to oil and garlic sauces, too.

    Baked Cheese Tortellini

    Your kids won't even notice the wilted baby spinach that is hiding inside this delicious baked cheese tortellini skillet with crispy bread crumbs on top!

    Baked Cheese Tortellini
    This easy skillet pasta recipe combines refrigerated cheese tortellini with light ground turkey and a seasoned tomato sauce. Top it with crispy panko bread crumbs and bake it in the oven for a quick take on lasagna.
    5 from 1 vote
    GET THE RECIPE
    A bowl of baked tortellini with a slice of garlic bread on the side.

    Goat Cheese Pasta with Spinach

    My creamy goat cheese pasta has a lovely lemon zest but it is even more delicious once you stir in some fresh baby spinach for color.

    Though this is an excellent vegetarian-friendly recipe, you could add sliced chicken breasts or chopped chicken tenderloins for a bit more protein if you like.

    Goat Cheese Pasta
    Rich and creamy goat cheese pasta with baby spinach is an easy pasta skillet recipe. This dish is elegant enough for a holiday meal but easy enough for a busy weeknight. Serve it as a meatless main dish or as a delicious side dish with spicy meatballs, grilled chicken, or fish or shrimp.
    5 from 1 vote
    GET THE RECIPE
    A white bowl filled with creamy spiral noodles with baby spinach leaves mixed in.

    Tuscan Chicken Pasta

    With sweet sundried tomatoes and a rich creamy sauce, bright green spinach adds beautiful flavor and contrast to my slowcooker Tuscan chicken pasta recipe.

    Slowcooker Tuscan Chicken Pasta
    This creamy Tuscan chicken pasta with sundried tomatoes and baby spinach tossed together with tender farfalle or penne is an easy dinner for a busy night.
    5 from 5 votes
    GET THE RECIPE
    A CrockPot has a batch of Tuscan chicken with sundried tomatoes and spinach.

    Italian Sausage Pasta Casserole

    My mom is famous with all her friends for this classic meal train casserole that she brings whenever someone is sick.

    Savory Italian sausage pasta casserole has lots of baby spinach hiding under that melted parmesan cheese. SO yummy.

    Italian Sausage Pasta Casserole
    This delicious Italian sausage pasta casserole mixes Jimmy Dean bulk sausage with fresh spinach for a perfect make-ahead dinner.
    4.60 from 42 votes
    GET THE RECIPE
    A pan of baked Italian sausage pasta casserole has a pair of oven mitts in the background.

    Easy Garden Lasagna Cups

    Another fantastic vegetarian-friendly, meatless dinner idea is my easy garden lasagna cups that the kids and I love to bake together.

    Layers of wonton wrappers are filled with a sweet vegetable mixture and shredded cheese. They are make-ahead friendly and so delicious.

    Garden Lasagna Cups
    Deliciously cheesy vegetable lasagna cups are a fun recipe to cook with kids. Set up all the fillings in an assembly line at the counter and let your young chefs prepare these homemade lasagana cups featuring fresh zucchini, spinach, corn, and tomato sauce with plenty of bubbling hot cheese.
    5 from 1 vote
    GET THE RECIPE
    A muffin tin filled with garden lasagna cupcakes shows the spinach and tomatoes covered in melted cheese.

    Lasagna Roll-Ups

    For heartier appetites, you'll definitely want to try baking a pan of my beefy lasagna roll-ups.

    Chop the baby spinach up and stir it into the beef filling and the kids won't even notice.

    Easy Lasagna Roll-Ups
    This easy lasagna roll-up recipe is filled with a delicious spinach and cheese filling and rich meaty tomato sauce. It's the perfect make-ahead meal for busy families since you can assemble and freeze it for an easy dinner later.
    5 from 49 votes
    GET THE RECIPE
    A serving of beef lasagna rollups is next to a simple green salad with a fork.

    Fresh Tomato Pasta with Spinach

    Any time you see fresh arugula called for in a pasta recipe, you could most likely substitute baby spinach for it instead.

    My fresh tomato pasta has a few peppery arugula leaves but baby spinach would be just perfect here, too.

    Fresh Tomato Pasta
    When fresh tomatoes are at their peak, this is the perfect summery pasta recipe. The heat from the pasta just warms the chopped cherry tomatoes to make a simple dinner.
    5 from 1 vote
    GET THE RECIPE
    A white bowl is filled with thin spaghetti and fresh cherry tomatoes and arugula. Parmesan is sprinkled over the top.

    Pesto Chicken Casserole

    If your kids love pesto sauce, you can help them to love baby spinach by making this creamy pesto chicken casserole.

    The sauce is already a little green, so the spinach leaves won't be quite as noticeable.

    Pesto Chicken Casserole
    This rich and creamy pesto chicken casserole can be prepared in just 20 minutes for an easy weeknight dinner. Simple enough for a weeknight, but festive enough to serve for the holidays.
    4.61 from 23 votes
    GET THE RECIPE
    A blue baking dish filled with alfredo pesto pasta and topped with crunchy breadcrumbs. A slotted spoon has scooped out a serving.

    Comfort Food with Spinach

    I actually love the flavor that baby spinach adds to some of my favorite comfort foods.

    You can stir it into rice casseroles, use it to top warm sandwiches, and even use it as a pizza topping.

    Spinach Rice with Shrimp

    My Instant Pot spinach rice with shrimp is one of my favorite easy dinners. I love the seasoning on the shrimp paired with that garlic-lemon rice.

    Spinach Rice with Shrimp
    This easy shrimp and rice dish is filled with Mediterranean flavors: garlic, lemon, and spinach. Tender shrimp on a bed of white rice with a yummy lemon garlic sauce.
    5 from 1 vote
    GET THE RECIPE
    A bowl filled with white rice, spinach, and seasoned shrimp.

    Chicken Spinach Alfredo Pizza

    Chicken spinach alfredo pizza is my take on the famous pizzeria dish at home. You could easily turn this into a spinoccoli pizza by adding some chopped fresh broccoli, too.

    Chicken Spinach Alfredo Pizza
    This rich and creamy alfredo base pizza is a great way to use up a little leftover alfredo sauce and cooked chicken. Chop up some fresh baby spinach and add shredded mozzarella and parmesan for a homemade pizza everyone will love.
    5 from 1 vote
    GET THE RECIPE
    A homemade chicken spinach alfredo pizza has been sliced and the pieces pulled apart.

    Garnish a Turkey Burger

    Baby spinach makes an excellent hamburger topping. I especially love it in place of the fresh arugula on my baked turkey burgers with fresh tomatoes and provolone cheese.

    Baked Turkey Burgers in the Oven
    These flavorful, juicy turkey burgers will easily replace ground beef in your rotation. Let the kids build their own combination for the toppings or eat them as a mini-salad on the side.
    5 from 1 vote
    GET THE RECIPE
    An oven baked turkey burger sits on an open faced bun and is topped with fresh tomato slices, green arugula leaves, and a melted slice of cheese. Tater tots sit next to it for a side dish.

    Spinach Salad Recipes

    Last but not least, spinach salad is probably one of the first things you think of when you buy a bag of baby spinach but there are so many unique salad recipes you could use it for.

    You could pick any of the salad recipes on my site and just start by substituting 50% of the green lettuce for baby spinach and instantly have more flavor.

    That said, here are a few salad recipes that would work the very best with baby spinach in the mix:

    Crispy Rice Salad

    Warm wild rice and roasted carrots top this crispy rice salad on a bed of baby spinach and salad greens.

    Crispy Rice Salad
    Next time you make rice for dinner, double the recipe for leftovers so you can make this delicious and simple salad for another meal.
    5 from 1 vote
    GET THE RECIPE
    A serving of crispy rice salad shows green lettuce, roasted carrots, fried wild rice in a white bowl.

    Spinach and Citrus Salad

    Baby spinach pairs so well with fresh citrus fruits AND did you know your body is more likely to absorb the nutrients when they are paired together?!

    Serve my favorite sunny citrus salad with chopped pistachios and crumbled feta for a delicious side dish or add some oven baked salmon to turn it into an entree.

    Sunny Citrus Salad
    This sunny and fresh citrus salad is the perfect side dish for salmon or your favorite fish. A great healthy family dinner idea.
    4.50 from 2 votes
    GET THE RECIPE
    A platter of sliced oranges with crumbled cheese, chopped pistachios, and seasonings.

    More Delicious Ingredients

    Do you have a favorite ingredient? Or maybe you're just looking for easy ways to introduce these delicious items to your kids? Here are some more recipe inspiration lists you'll find handy:

    • A strainer is filled with raw cherry tomatoes in shades of yellow and red.
      What to Do with Fresh Tomatoes
    • A bowl full of Granny Smith apples sits on a table.
      20 Best Easy Apple Recipes
    • A bowl that says "Thankful" is filled with fresh cranberries.
      20 Fresh Cranberry Recipes
    • Bags of fresh peaches at the farmer's market stand.
      30 Fresh Peach Recipes
    A photo collage shows several ways to use a bag of baby spinach for dinner.

    More Vegetable Recipes

    • A white bowl is filled with glazed baby carrots, a blue napkin is tucked underneath.
      Glazed Baby Carrots
    • A white bowl of corn chowder sits on a blue plate. There is chunks of corn and bacon floating on top of the soup.
      Slow Cooker Corn Chowder
    • A plate of bruschetta pomodoro with a bowl of the tomato topping.
      Italian Bruschetta al Pomodoro
    • The photo collage shows a serving bowl of glazed carrots, a Thanksgiving salad, squash casserole, and roasted green beans.
      25 Easy Thanksgiving Vegetables

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    Hi, I'm Tiffany!
    I believe a great family recipe is one that makes everyone at the table happy, not just the kids. I'm the author of two bestselling cookbooks for kids that are chock full of recipes everyone in your family will love. I'm also the hostess of the best online book club for women.

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