With the holidays fast approaching, I have been desperate for some quick and easy side dishes that even the pickiest of eaters would love. Alongside these delicious Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes and this Healthy Broccoli Casserole, I have been stocking up on healthier recipes that are guaranteed to have people drooling.
Creamed Kale is a win on so many levels. Not only is it full of iron, calcium, and a boatload of other nutrients, but the creamy sauce makes this veggie side dish taste absolutely indulgent. It’s the perfect twist on a classic.
Much like its popular cousin — this delicious Creamed Spinach dish — Creamed Kale is the perfect, healthy side dish to accompany your Thanksgiving dinner this year. That being said, this dish is way too delicious to limit to only the holiday season.
This tender, creamy kale is a quick and easy side dish that is perfect for busy weeknight dinners. Busy moms, you’re gonna love it. This dish pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, slow cooker beef, or lean steak for a crave-worthy, well-balanced dinner that will get your kids to eat their veggies, guaranteed. Try it out for yourself and see!
What You’ll Need
To make this healthy side dish recipe, you will need the following key ingredients:
- Kale: The star of the show! Kale is one of those superfoods that is packed with essential nutrients and has very few calories. It has a strong and earthy taste that pairs incredibly with this delicious cream sauce.
- Reduced-fat cream cheese: This will become the base for our delicious, cream sauce, so make sure to find a brand that you love! I prefer to use reduced-fat cream cheese to keep it on the lighter side, but feel free to swap it out for regular.
- Nonfat milk: Using nonfat milk helps keep the fat content low, but you can also use low-fat milk, whole milk, or a dairy-free substitute like almond milk.
- Butter: Let’s be honest, butter makes everything better. It enhances flavor and adds a depth of rich creaminess that makes this dish melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Feel free to swap it out for olive oil, if needed.
- Parmesan cheese: Parmesan is the icing on the cake to this delicious kale recipe. I love melting some into the sauce and sprinkling some on top for an extra dose of cheesiness.
Recipe Tips
Want to make the best kale side dish that your family has ever had? Of course you do! To help with that, here are some of my top tips and tricks:
- For best results, remove the stems from the kale. You can do this either with a sharp knife or your fingers. If using your hands, start at the bottom and pull upwards, which should pull the leafy greens from the stems. Then, proceed as normal.
- Swap your cheese. Not a fan of parmesan? No problem! Mozzarella, feta, and manchego cheese all work great as well.
- Make it ahead. You can make Creamed Kale 1-2 days before serving, which makes it great for meal prepping or making ahead in preparation for Thanksgiving (or really, just any busy weeknight).
How to Serve Creamed Kale
This delicious kale recipe is super versatile, so you really can serve it with just about anything! However, if you need some inspiration, here are some of my favorite ways to serve this dish:
- With your favorite meats. Pork, chicken, and beef all taste great alongside this creamy kale dish. Personally, I love pairing it with this Slow Cooker Italian Shredded Beef or this Slow Cooker Balsamic Honey Pork Tenderloin with Pears entrée.
- With bread. A warm loaf of sourdough or baguette works great for dunking into this creamy kale side dish.
- With chips. Creamed Kale is essentially your favorite spinach dip, but just a little bit better. Pile it onto some fresh pita chips for a fresh take on this delicious side dish or appetizer.
- With pasta. A big bowl of Creamed Kale is a great way to jazz up your traditional pasta night. Try serving it as a pasta sauce with some whole-wheat pasta or this Garlic Spaghetti Squash for a lighter, low-carb option.
How to Store This Dish
Creamed Kale is a great dish for making ahead of time. So, whether you’re getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner or just another busy week, storing this delicious kale recipe is a piece of cake.
To store, let the dish cool and seal your leftovers in an airtight storage bag or container. You can then store them in one of two ways:
- In the fridge for up to 5 days.
- In the freezer for up to 3 months.
When it comes time to reheat frozen kale, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat it over low heat on the stove.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about this low-carb side dish:
Can I use frozen kale?
Absolutely! Although fresh is best, you can definitely use frozen kale if that is what you have on hand. Just make sure you properly steam and drain it before tossing it into the skillet.
Should I blanch my kale?
There’s no need to blanch your kale for this recipe. (Blanching, for reference, refers to placing your uncooked kale in boiling water, taking it out, then placing it in cold water.) Because this dish cooks for 15 minutes, you don’t have to take that extra step.
Is this dish healthy?
Yes! Kale is so good for you in so many different ways. Not only is it full of essential nutrients and vitamins, but kale is incredibly low in calories, making this dish very nutrient-dense. Also, because we are using nonfat milk and reduced-fat cream cheese, this low-carb dish is much healthier than many of its alternatives.
More Healthy Side Dish Recipes
If you liked this healthy side dish, try these next:
- Maple Roasted Butternut Squash and Apples
- Garlic Bacon Brussel Sprouts with Parmesan
- Healthy Cornbread Sausage Stuffing
- Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Honey Dijon Dressing
- Honey Roasted Baby Carrots
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