If you’re on the hunt for a creamy, comforting, and downright irresistible appetizer, this Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe is an absolute winner. I love this recipe because it hits all the right notes — cheesy, garlicky, and packed with tender spinach and artichoke hearts. Whether you’re hosting a party, looking for a cozy snack, or just want to impress your family, this dip is always a crowd-pleaser. Keep reading and I’ll share everything you need to make it perfectly every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Uses common pantry staples and frozen spinach for convenience.
- Effortless Prep: Mix and bake in under 30 minutes—perfect for last-minute guests.
- Crowd Favorite: My family goes crazy for this dip at every gathering.
- Versatile Serving: Pairs beautifully with chips, crackers, or crusty bread.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together perfectly to create a rich, creamy dip with just the right balance of flavors. I like to grab fresh garlic and good quality cheeses for the best taste, but this recipe is forgiving and easy to customize.
- Cream Cheese: Make sure it’s well softened—room temperature makes mixing so much easier and creamier.
- Sour Cream: Adds tang and smooths out the richness.
- Mayonnaise: Keeps the dip extra creamy and juicy.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives a punch of flavor that dried just can’t match.
- Parmesan Cheese: I use finely shredded for even melting and a nice salty bite.
- Mozzarella Cheese: This brings the gooey, melty factor everybody loves.
- Pepper: Just a touch to season without overpowering.
- Artichoke Hearts: I use canned quartered hearts, drained well and chopped to distribute throughout the dip.
- Frozen Spinach: Thaw and squeeze out the liquid, so your dip isn’t watery—trust me, it makes all the difference.
Variations
I love tweaking this spinach artichoke dip recipe depending on what I have on hand or who I’m serving it to. It’s a great base for experimenting, and you can easily make it your own.
- Add-ins: I sometimes add a little chopped jalapeño for a spicy kick that my family can’t get enough of.
- Dairy-Free: Use vegan cream cheese and mayo to make it dairy-free—just swap out parmesan for a nut-based cheese alternative.
- Cheese Variations: Swap mozzarella for Monterey Jack or Gruyère for a different melty texture and flavor.
- Fresh Spinach: When spinach is in season, I’ll use fresh wilted spinach instead of frozen for a brighter flavor.
How to Make Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
First things first—preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a small baking dish with non-stick spray. While the oven warms, thaw your frozen spinach and give it a good squeeze to get rid of excess water; this step prevents a watery dip, which I’ve learned can be a real disappointment.
Step 2: Mix the Creamy Base
In a large mixing bowl, stir together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise until smooth. Then add the minced garlic, shredded parmesan, shredded mozzarella, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix until everything is combined and creamy. This mix is the flavor powerhouse, so don’t skip the careful blending.
Step 3: Fold in the Veggies
Gently fold in chopped artichoke hearts and the well-drained spinach. You want these evenly distributed, so every bite has that perfect blend of spinach and artichoke. When I first tried adding whole artichoke pieces, the texture was uneven, so chopping helps everything meld better.
Step 4: Bake to Melty Perfection
Spoon your mixture into the prepared baking dish, smoothing it out evenly. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the dip is hot and bubbling with a golden, melty top. I like to check a few minutes early to avoid overbaking, which can dry out the edges.
Step 5: Serve Warm and Enjoy
Serve it fresh from the oven with an assortment of dippers like tortilla chips, crackers, or toasted baguette slices. The warm dip tastes irresistible, and I promise you’ll want to keep reaching back for more.
Pro Tips for Making Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe
- Drain Your Veggies Well: I can’t stress enough how much squeezing out extra liquid from spinach and artichokes saved my dip from being watery. Use a clean kitchen towel or paper towels for the best results.
- Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Softening cream cheese makes mixing smoother and ensures no lumps in your dip.
- Cheese Choices Matter: Using freshly shredded cheeses melts better than pre-shredded—trust me, it’s worth the extra minute.
- Don’t Overbake: Bake until just bubbly. Overbaking dries out the dip and loses that luscious texture.
How to Serve Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle a little extra parmesan or even some smoked paprika on top right after baking—it adds a pop of color and an extra hit of flavor. Chopped fresh parsley or chives also freshen it up and make it look beautiful when you serve.
Side Dishes
This dip pairs perfectly with crunchy tortilla chips or sliced baguette, but I also love serving it alongside fresh veggie sticks—carrots, cucumber, and bell peppers add a refreshing crunch and lighten things up a bit.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I sometimes hollow out a small round bread loaf and bake the dip inside it — guests love the bread bowl presentation and you get warm, scoopable bread along with the dip. Another fun idea is to serve the dip in individual ramekins for portion control and a fancy touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I like to transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate. This dip holds up beautifully for 3 to 4 days—perfect for snacking or quick appetizers later in the week.
Freezing
I’ve frozen spinach artichoke dip successfully by portioning it into freezer-safe containers. When you’re ready, thaw it in the fridge overnight and bake to refresh the flavors and melted texture. Just note, the texture of the spinach can be a bit softer after freezing.
Reheating
For reheating, I prefer the oven or microwave. If you use the microwave, reheat small servings in short bursts stirring in between to keep it creamy. In the oven, cover loosely with foil and warm at 350°F until heated through.
FAQs
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Can I make this Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dip up to one day in advance. Just mix all ingredients, refrigerate covered, then take it out about 30 minutes before baking to allow it to come to room temperature. Bake as usual for best results.
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What can I use instead of frozen spinach?
Fresh spinach is a great substitute. Just wilt it lightly in a pan, then squeeze out excess moisture before mixing it into the dip. This gives a fresher flavor, especially when spinach is in season.
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Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?
Yes! Replace cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise with vegan alternatives, and use a plant-based shredded cheese or nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor. The texture will be slightly different, but still delicious.
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What’s the best way to serve Spinach Artichoke Dip?
Serve it warm with tortilla chips, crusty bread, crackers, or fresh veggies. For a special touch, try a bread bowl presentation or individual ramekins for easy serving.
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Can I freeze leftover dip?
Yes, you can freeze leftover dip in airtight containers. Thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven for a tasty second round. Texture might soften a bit, but it’s still tasty!
Final Thoughts
This Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe is one of those comforting staples that has truly earned its spot in my recipe rotation. It’s simple, satisfying, and always brings people together around the table. I love that it’s quick enough for midweek treats but special enough for weekend parties. Give it a try—you’ll see why this creamy, cheesy dip has won over so many hearts (and appetite) including mine!
Print
Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This creamy and flavorful Spinach Artichoke Dip is a classic appetizer perfect for parties and gatherings. Made with a rich blend of cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic, parmesan, mozzarella, artichoke hearts, and spinach, this baked dip is warm, cheesy, and irresistibly delicious. Serve it with tortilla chips, crackers, or toasted baguette slices for a crowd-pleasing starter.
Ingredients
Dip Ingredients
- 8 oz. cream cheese, well softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 garlic clove, minced (1 tsp)
- 2/3 cup (76g) finely shredded parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup (56g) finely shredded mozzarella cheese
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 (14 oz) can quartered artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 6 oz. frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed to drain excess liquid
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Prepare a small 1-quart baking dish by spraying it with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Combine the dairy and cheese: In a mixing bowl, thoroughly stir together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, minced garlic, shredded parmesan cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, and pepper to taste until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add the vegetables: Fold in the chopped artichoke hearts and thoroughly drained spinach into the cheese mixture, ensuring an even distribution.
- Spread in baking dish: Transfer the blended mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula or spoon.
- Bake the dip: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the dip is heated through, bubbly, and melty on top.
- Serve warm: Remove the dip from the oven and serve immediately with tortilla chips, crackers, or toasted baguette slices for dipping.
Notes
- This dip can be made a day in advance; refrigerate the unbaked mixture in the baking dish covered with plastic wrap.
- Before baking, remove the chilled dip from the refrigerator and allow it to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Leftover dip reheats well in small portions in the microwave.
- For best texture, avoid reheating the entire batch multiple times; instead, portion out what you want to reheat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the recipe (about 1/4 cup)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg