This Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Dip is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, combining creamy cheeses with tender vegetables for a rich and savory appetizer. It is incredibly easy to throw together, making it the perfect choice for game days, holiday parties, or a cozy night in.
With a golden, bubbly top and a warm, gooey center, this dip is packed with flavor from three different types of cheese and a hint of spice.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: This dip is savory and rich, with a tang from the artichokes and lemon zest that cuts through the creaminess.
- Texture: It has a smooth, creamy base with satisfying chunks of artichoke and spinach, topped with a slightly crisp, golden cheese layer.
- Time: 10 minutes prep, 30 minutes cook time.
- Difficulty: Easy. This is a simple mix-and-bake recipe.
What You’ll Need
To make this delicious dip, you will need a creamy base made from cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream. The flavor comes from a blend of spices, garlic, and lemon zest, while a trio of cheeses Parmesan, white cheddar, and Gruyère provides the melt. Finally, the stars of the show are the chopped artichoke hearts and frozen spinach.
Ingredient Notes
- Cream Cheese – Use a block of cream cheese and ensure it is softened before starting. This is crucial for getting a smooth mixture without lumps.
- Frozen Spinach – You will need one package, defrosted and chopped. This adds great color and earthy flavor to the dip.
- Artichoke Hearts – Canned artichoke hearts work best here. Make sure they are drained well and chopped into bite-sized pieces so they distribute evenly.
- Cheeses – This recipe uses a blend of Parmesan, white cheddar, and Gruyère. The Gruyère adds a wonderful nuttiness, while the cheddar provides that classic sharp melt.
- Lemon Zest – A small amount of fresh zest brightens up the heavy dairy elements.
- Red Pepper Flakes – These add just a subtle kick of heat to balance the richness.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Extra Spice – If you prefer a spicier kick, you can increase the amount of red pepper flakes to taste.
- Cheese Variations – While white cheddar and Gruyère are recommended for the best flavor profile, you could substitute mozzarella if you prefer a stretchier, milder cheese string.
- Lighter Option – You can swap the sour cream for plain Greek yogurt if you want a slightly tangier finish, though the texture may vary slightly.
How to Make Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, Parmesan, 1 cup of white cheddar, Gruyère, chopped artichokes, chopped spinach, minced garlic, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes. (Combine all ingredients except the serving bread/chips).
- Season: Mix everything until it is fully combined. Season the mixture with Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Assemble: Transfer the dip mixture to a baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula. Top evenly with the remaining shredded white cheddar.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the dip is bubbly and slightly golden.
- Broil (Optional): If you would like the dip to develop a more golden, browned top, broil on high for 2 minutes. Watch it closely to prevent burning.
- Serve: Serve the dip warm with a baguette on the side for dipping.
Pro Tip: Make sure your spinach is fully defrosted before mixing. If it is still icy, it can release too much water into the dip while baking, making the final result soupy rather than creamy.
Recipe Tips
- Soften the Cream Cheese: Do not skip softening the cream cheese. If it is cold, it will not blend with the mayonnaise and sour cream, leaving you with small white lumps in the dip.
- Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that prevent them from melting smoothly. For the best gooey texture, buy blocks of cheddar and Gruyère and grate them yourself.
- Watch the Broiler: If you choose to broil the top for that extra golden color, stay right by the oven. The difference between perfectly golden and burnt is often just a few seconds.
FAQs
- Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, you can mix all the ingredients and spread them into the baking dish, then cover and refrigerate until you are ready to bake. You may need to add a few minutes to the baking time if it goes into the oven cold.
- How do I store leftovers? Store any leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat it in the oven or microwave before serving.
- Can I use fresh spinach? This recipe calls for frozen spinach because it is already wilted and compact. If you use fresh, you would need to cook it down first to match the texture and volume of the frozen package.
Serving Suggestions
This dip is versatile and pairs beautifully with many dipping vessels.
- Bread: As per the instructions, a sliced fresh or toasted baguette is the perfect vessel for scooping.
- Chips: Tortilla chips (as listed in the ingredients) provide a nice salty crunch that contrasts well with the creamy dip.
- Vegetables: For a fresh crunch, serve alongside carrot sticks, celery, or bell pepper strips.
Make This Recipe in Advance
You can easily prepare this dip in advance to save time before a party.
- Prep: Follow the instructions through the assembly step (transferring to the baking dish and topping with cheese).
- Store: Cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
- Bake: When ready to serve, remove the cover and bake as directed. If the dish is very cold from the fridge, you might need to add 5–10 minutes to the baking time to ensure it is hot and bubbly throughout.
Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Dip is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, combining a trio of creamy cheeses with tender vegetables for a rich and savory appetizer. Featuring a blend of Parmesan, white cheddar, and Gruyère, this dip is baked to golden, bubbly perfection. It is incredibly easy to prepare, making it the ideal choice for game days, holiday parties, or a cozy night in.
Ingredients
- 1 block cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 1 cup shredded white cheddar, plus more for topping
- 1/2 cup shredded Gruyère
- 1 can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 1 package frozen spinach, defrosted and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Tortilla chips, for serving
Instructions
Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Ensure your cream cheese is softened and your spinach is fully defrosted before beginning.
Combine the Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, Parmesan, 1 cup of white cheddar, Gruyère, chopped artichokes, chopped spinach, minced garlic, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes.
Season the Mixture
Mix everything until it is fully combined and the ingredients are evenly distributed. Taste the mixture and season with Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking.
Assemble the Dip
Transfer the dip mixture to a baking dish and use a spatula to smooth the top. Sprinkle the remaining shredded white cheddar evenly over the surface.
Bake
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the dip is hot, bubbly, and slightly golden around the edges.
Broil (Optional)
If you prefer a browned, crispy top, turn the oven to broil on high for 2 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning.
Serve
Remove from the oven and serve warm with tortilla chips or a sliced baguette for dipping.
Notes
Squeeze the Spinach: After defrosting the frozen spinach, place it in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much excess liquid as possible. This prevents the dip from becoming watery or soupy during baking.
Grate Your Own Cheese: For the smoothest melt and best texture, avoid pre-shredded cheese which often contains anti-caking agents. Buy blocks of cheddar and Gruyère and grate them fresh.
Make Ahead: You can assemble the dip in the baking dish, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. If baking from cold, add 5 to 10 minutes to the cook time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 465
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: spinach artichoke dip, hot cheese dip, baked appetizer, game day party food, gluten free appetizer, creamy vegetable dip, holiday side dish
