Spinach Artichoke Dip

This creamy and flavorful Spinach Artichoke Dip is made with three types of cheese and is the perfect appetizer for any party or gathering.

The post Spinach Artichoke Dip appeared first on Budget Bytes.

This Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe is epic. It’s super easy to make and the perfect dish to bring to Friendsgiving, football parties, or any gathering. It has three types of cheese, a creamy homemade sauce, and just a little bitty splash of hotness to tingle your taste buds. This spinach artichoke dip is so good that it’ll make you want to eat your appetizer for dinner. …And I won’t judge you if you do. ;)

Spinach Artichoke Dip in a skillet with a chip dipping into the side.

Ingredients for Spinach Artichoke Dip

This recipe is super easy to make and it doesn’t require too many ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make this spinach artichoke dip recipe:

  • Spinach: We used frozen chopped spinach because it’s convenient and inexpensive. Just make sure you fully thaw and squeeze the spinach dry before using. You can use fresh spinach, but you’ll need to cook it down first to remove most of the water. You’ll need about 2 cups once cooked and squeezed.
  • Artichoke Hearts: Canned artichoke hearts are convenient, but you can also use frozen artichoke hearts, if available.
  • Cheese: This super-rich dip has a mix of three cheeses: mozzarella, Parmesan, and cream cheese.
  • Mayonnaise, Sour Cream, and Butter: These three ingredients come together to create the super-rich and creamy sauce that drenches the spinach and artichokes.
  • Seasoning: The seasoning for this dip is pretty simple, just some fresh garlic, hot sauce for tang and heat, plus a pinch of red pepper for another kick. It’s simple, but amazing!

What to Serve with Spinach Artichoke Dip

Because spinach artichoke dip is kind of heavy (understatement) you will want to serve it with something strong and crusty for dipping. My favorite is slices of toasted baguette, but strong crackers and tortilla chips are other great options.

You can also use spinach artichoke dip as part of a meal. Try using it to fill a quesadilla, making it into a grilled cheese sandwich or “melt”, or stirring it into some pasta!

Spinach Artichoke Dip Variations

This is a classic spinach artichoke dip recipe, but you can add or substitute ingredients to make it your own. Here are some ideas for different variations of this spinach artichoke dip recipe:

  • Double Spinach: Use twice the amount of spinach for an extra dose of vegetables.
  • Spicy Spinach Artichoke Dip: make it extra spicy by adding a lot more hot sauce, for a flavor that’s half-way between buffalo dip and spinach dip!
  • Make it Lighter: Substitute the sour cream with non-fat yogurt and Neufchatel cheese for the cream cheese to make a slightly lighter spinach artichoke dip.
  • Skip the Artichokes: If you’re not a fan of artichokes, double up on the spinach and skip the artichokes for a creamy spinach dip.
  • Add Chicken: Make the dip more hearty by stirring in diced cooked chicken breast.

How to Store Leftovers

This spinach and artichoke dip will last about four days in your refrigerator. Reheat leftovers in the microwave until hot, or cover and heat in a 350ºF oven until heated through (the total time needed will depend on the amount of dip being reheated).

Close up overhead view of a skillet full of spinach artichoke dip with tortilla chips dipped into it.
Close up overhead view of a skillet full of spinach artichoke dip with tortilla chips dipped into it.
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Spinach Artichoke Dip

This creamy and flavorful Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe is made with three types of cheese and is the perfect appetizer for any party or gathering.
Course Appetizer, Dip
Cuisine American
Total Cost $9.73 recipe / $1.62 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6 1/2 cup each
Calories 457kcal

Ingredients

  • 10 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed $1.79
  • 1 14oz. can quartered artichoke hearts $2.99
  • 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella, divided $1.87
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan $0.38
  • 1 pinch crushed red pepper $0.02
  • 2 Tbsp butter $0.26
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced $0.16
  • 8 oz. cream cheese $1.25
  • 1/2 cup sour cream $0.63
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise $0.33
  • 2 dashes hot sauce $0.05

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Make sure the spinach is fully thawed, then squeeze out as much of the excess water as possible. Once squeezed, break the spinach up so there are no large clumps. Place the squeeze dried spinach in a large bowl.
  • Drain and roughly chop the artichoke hearts. Place the artichoke hearts in the bowl with the spinach, 1 cup of the mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and crushed red pepper. Stir these ingredients together to combine, then set them aside.
  • Add the butter and minced garlic to a small sauce pot. Sauté the garlic in the butter over medium-low heat for about two minutes, or just until the garlic becomes very fragrant.
  • Cut the cream cheese into chunks and add it to the sauce pot along with the sour cream and mayonnaise. Heat and whisk these ingredients together for about five minutes, or until they melt together into a smooth sauce. Finally, stir in a couple dashes of hot sauce.
  • Pour the creamy garlic sauce over the spinach artichoke mixture, then stir until everything is evenly combined and coated in sauce. Transfer the mixture to a 2-quart casserole dish, then top with the remaining ½ cup shredded mozzarella.
  • Bake the dip for about 30 minutes, or until it is bubbling around the edges and the cheese on top is turning golden brown. Serve while hot.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 457kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 41g | Sodium: 750mg | Fiber: 3g
Close up side view of a tortilla chip dipping into the pan of spinach artichoke dip.

How to Make Spinach Artichoke Dip

Frozen spinach in the package.

Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Start with one 10 oz. package of frozen chopped spinach, fully thawed. Squeeze as much of the excess liquid out of the thawed spinach as possible. Make sure to use “chopped” spinach so you don’t get long stringy pieces in the dip.

Chopped artichoke hearts on a cutting board.

Drain and chop one 14oz. can of artichoke hearts.

Spinach, artichoke hearts, mozzarella and red pepper in a bowl.

Add the spinach, artichoke hearts, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, and a pinch of red pepper flakes to a large bowl. Stir them together until they are combined.

Melted butter and garlic in a saucepot.

Add 2 Tbsp butter and 2 cloves of garlic (minced) to a small sauce pot. Sauté the garlic in the butter over medium-low heat for about two minutes, or just until the garlic becomes very fragrant.

Cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise added to the sauce pot.

Cut an 8 oz. block of cream cheese into chunks and add it to the sauce pot along with 1/2 cup sour cream and 1/4 cup mayonnaise. Heat and whisk these ingredients together until they melt into a smooth sauce (about 5 minutes).

Hot sauce being added to the saucepot.

Add a couple of dashes of hot sauce to the creamy garlic sauce. This isn’t enough to actually make it spicy, it just adds a little tang.

Creamy sauce added to bowl with spinach.

Add the creamy sauce to the spinach and artichoke mixture and stir until everything is very well combined.

Spinach artichoke dip added to a skillet, mozzarella being sprinkled over top.

Spread the Spinach Artichoke Dip into a 2-quart skillet or casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup shredded mozzarella over top.

Baked spinach artichoke dip in the skillet.

Bake in the preheated 375ºF oven for about 35 minutes or until it’s bubbly around the edges and turning golden brown on top.

Close up of spinach artichoke dip on a tortilla chip.

Take a closer look at that creamy, cheesy, spinach-y goodness! 🤤

Close up side view of a skillet full of spinach artichoke dip with a tortilla chip.

This photo shoot took ALL of my willpower. ALL OF IT.

The post Spinach Artichoke Dip appeared first on Budget Bytes.