Spinach Grilled Cheese is a veggie-packed variation on the classic sandwich that’s just so delicious. This favorite kids sandwich is equally appealing to adults, and it’s easy to make and packed with iron…which is a nice bonus.
Spinach Grilled Cheese
I’ve been making Spinach Quesadillas for years and found that a version of the filling makes a really delicious grilled cheese sandwich. It’s easy to mix up, spreads on easily, and is a nice way to vary a favorite kids sandwich.
I love this as much for myself as for the kids and while they sure do love a plain grilled cheese, this is a fun option to have in the mix. (We just call it “green grilled cheese” in our house!)
You can use regular or baby spinach in this healthy grilled cheese recipe, and really any type of bread you prefer, so use what you have access to.
In addition to my Spinach Muffins, Spinach Smoothie, and Spinach Eggs, these sandwiches are one of our favorite ways to serve greens to kids.
(You may also like my Broccoli and Cheese Pinwheels and my Spinach Pasta Sauce.)
Table of Contents
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Ingredients You Need
To make this easy kids lunch recipe, you’ll need to have the following ingredients on hand and ready to go.
- Bread: Any type of sandwich bread will work fine. I usually use a whole grain or sourdough. (Find more info on bread for babies and toddlers.)
- Spinach: Bagged baby spinach is easy, though any larger leaf variety will work too.
- Shredded cheese: I like cheddar here, but you can really use any shredded cheese you like.
- Cream cheese: You can omit this if you don’t have it, but it adds serious creaminess.
- Cumin: Optional for extra flavor.
- Salt: Optional for extra flavor.
TIP: I like the flavor that cumin adds, but you can skip it if you prefer.
Ingredient Substitutions
- You can use thawed frozen spinach. Squeeze it as dry as you can and use 1/2-1 cup lightly packed. (It’s fairly concentrated when it’s thawed from frozen.) This option may taste more overtly like spinach.
- Gluten-free: Swap in a gluten-free bread.
- Dairy-free: Use a dairy-free cheese you like that melts well.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at how to make this Spinach Grilled Cheese recipe. Scroll down to the bottom of this post for the full specifics, including the amounts and the timing.
- Add the filling ingredients to a food processor. Process to blend. You may need to stop and start once or twice to get it well mixed.
- Spread filling onto bread. I try to do a fairly thin layer.
- Add bread to a warm, buttered skillet.
- Top with the other slice of bread and cook until warm and melty.
TIP: I like to melt the butter in the pan, then swirl the bread around to coat it. You can also spread the butter right onto the bread if you prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you’ll just want to thaw it first and squeeze as much liquid out as you can. I would use about ¼ cup. Add it right to the food processor as you would if starting from fresh.
You can serve this to older babies eating baby finger foods if you dice it up into small pieces. Then, you can cut it into sticks for kids about 16/18 months and up or cut it into regular sandwich halves.
It’s really up to you and we’ve made this with sourdough, seedy whole grain bread, softer types of whole grain bread, and white bread.
It depends what your definition of healthy is, but it can be a delicious and nutritious option in this mix. This version is aniron-rich food for kids, which is a nice element too.
How to Store
You can store any leftover spinach mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Then you can make more sandwiches.
You can also reheat leftover cooked sandwiches briefly in the microwave (the bread will be soft, not crispy), or in a 375 degree F oven on a baking sheet for about 6 minutes.
Best Tips for Success
- I like to melt the butter in the pan, then swirl the bread around to coat it. You can also spread the butter right onto the bread if you prefer.
- To make this with frozen spinach: Thaw it first and squeeze as much liquid out as possible. Use about ¼ cup and add it to the food processor in Step 1. (Or you can freeze spinach yourself and use the amount in the recipe.)
- Use baby spinach or regular size spinach leaves with the stems discarded.
- Let cool for a minute or two before slicing.
- Use less filling on the bread if you prefer.
- I like to melt the butter in the pan, then swirl the bread around to coat it. You can also spread the butter right onto the bread if you prefer.
- Dice it for older babies and younger toddlers, cut into strips, or cut in half or quarters like a regular sandwich.
- Try serving with Strawberry Juice, Vanilla Milk, Strawberry Yogurt, or any other lunch snacks you like.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe if you try it so please comment and rate it below!
Easy Spinach Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 cups baby spinach (loosely packed when measuring)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese
- 1/8 teaspoon salt (optional)
- 1/8 teaspoon cumin
- 4 slices whole grain bread
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Instructions
- Place the spinach, cheese, cream cheese, salt, and cumin into a food processor. Blend until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Divide the spinach mixture between 2 slices of bread and spread evenly. (You can use less of the mixture if you prefer.)
- Warm a skillet over medium heat. When warm, add butter to the skillet to melt.
- Add the bread slices with filling and swirl to coat with butter. Top with the remaining slices of bread and cook for 4 minutes. Flip over, swirl to coat bread with remaining melted butter In the pan and cook for an additional 4 minutes or until golden brown and filling is melty.
- Cut in half, into strips or dice up with kitchen scissors and serve warm.
Equipment
Notes
- You can store any leftover spinach mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Use baby spinach or regular size spinach leaves with the stems discarded.
- Let cool for a minute or two before slicing.
- Use less filling on the bread if you prefer.
- I like to melt the butter in the pan, then swirl the bread around to coat it. You can also spread the butter right onto the bread if you prefer.
An absolute hit – nearly the whole family loves them. Even the big sceptic (my partner) loves them, and he requested I make a batch as a picnic/on-the-go lunch when we head to the beach for a few days soon 😁🤣😎 I easily had enough filling for 8 sandwiches in total, and we like them hot and cold 😋
I didn’t have cream cheese so I substituted Greek yogurt. Oh my goodness, these are sooo yummy! Two year old twins thought it was so funny to eat monster sandwiches. They each gave it a thumbs up and I loved it as well. So easy to throw together if you’re looking for some different options.
This was great! My 17 month old loved it. Thank you.
Can you freeze this ? Or can you make a grilled cheese recipe that can be frozen?
You can freeze the filling, yes.
My picky eater ate this and asked for another one. Enough said!
Easy, healthy and delicious.
This is so easy and so delicious. What a great way to get some fiber into grilled cheese. Whole family loves this recipe.
Made this first for myself when the kids were not home to see if it would be a good recipe to try with them (picky 3 yo and semi-adventurous 5yo). Really enjoyed it myself so we had it tonight along with their VERY picky 7yo cousin. While there was a note from one that it was a little squishy/creamy for their liking, the 5 and 7yos both liked it. 3yo didn’t, but we saved the rest of the mix to try with some pasta as a creamy sauce so hopefully that works out!
I halved the recipe for my 17 month old to make one sandwich and it still made way too much filling, next time I’d definitely put less on, as it was oozing out everywhere and a huge mess. My daughter did like it though and I will make it again.
You’ll see in the recipe that the filling is meant to make 2-4 sandwiches so I hope less filling solves your issue!
Delicious! Made it with eggy bread and my 13 month old and I loved it. Good for fork practice too!
What age do you think I can start this? My son is 17 mo .
One of my favorite recipes! So yummy!
Was very good
Love this recipe! And one of the few green foods my 2 year old will eat lately. It’s so versatile, too. Sometimes I use mozzarella and add fresh basil or some pesto instead of the cumin. Also, if you end up with extra spinach mixture, I can vouch that it goes great in omelettes the next day!
Forgot the cumin, but it was really good! I’m not a good cook and this was easy enough for me. My 3 year old loved it
My 1 1/2 year old son has started entering the (I don’t want to eat anything but snacks phase) so I decided to try this with him. It was a hit. I was so nervous that he wasn’t going to like it because of the spinach but he ate it right up. He made it seem so good I had to take a bite myself and it did not disappoint. Super easy to make too.
Delicious variation of grilled cheese!! Love the cumin in there.
Five stars! Couldn’t believe my daughter ate the whole thing!!
My son loves these and I’m wondering if you could freeze this as an uncrustable and then put it in the toaster oven when I’m ready to serve. Thoughts?
Oh I bet you could! Just make sure it’s sealed well so the filling doesn’t seep out in the toaster.
Hi! Thanks for the recipe. Just wondering if it’s safe to give raw spinach to toddlers?
I have never heard otherwise.
We made this for our 2.5 yo today and he gobbled it up! So tasty. Thank you so, so much! What a relief to know he had some veggies today 🙂
I’ve made these for my 2 year old and he LOVES them! Always a great and quick lunch idea!
These were such a hit for St Patricks day dinner for my little guy thanks so much for another delish and easy recipe!
amazing! I imagine would be a nice dip too 🙂
I love this! I have made this as is, but most recently started using as quesadilla filling. My kiddo is going through a no veggies phase and this has been perfect!
Healthy Food for Toddlers!!
Subbed all the dairy ingredients for dairy free ingredients (including dairy free cream cheese) and still turned out delicious! My son gobbled it right up!
Very easy and 16m old loved it.
This was delicious! Easy to make even for someone who can’t really cook. Will definitely make again.
Weird question, but is it possible to freeze these? My kid won’t eat the same thing in the same week most of the time 😩
I think you could freeze the filling!
Only had chives and onion cream cheese on hand and it was delish! Also added some rotisserie chicken. Kid gobbled it up and I ate one myself! Thanks!
Great!
Loved this. Decided to forego salt and cream cheese and it turned out well.
So easy and yummy!!!
Sounds delicious! Can’t wait to try! Any tips if I want to pack for preschool lunch? They have a microwave but don’t think she’ll eat it soft
Hmmm, you could try it in a thermos? I think the steam would likely make it a little soft. (I say that as someone who has happily eaten this reheated in the microwave so I guess you could also try it at home first and see what she thinks?)
Sub for cream cheese?
I think greek yogurt would likely work or you can probably just omit it