Hot and Cheesy Spinach and Artichoke Dip Recipe

Deliciously cheesy spinach and artichoke dip recipe will leave your guests wanting more. Perfect for parties and gatherings.

Why Do We Love this Cheesy Spinach and Artichoke Dip?

Cheesy spinach artichoke dip is one of those delicious dip recipes that people seem to gravitate to at parties, a total crowd pleaser! The combination of cream cheese, sour cream, and shredded cheese creates a rich and creamy base that’s irresistible.

It’s also a dip that works well with so many things! Whether you’re dipping crusty bread cubes, tortilla chips, crackers, or fresh veggies, it’s always satisfying.

Served hot, this cheesy dip is cozy, comforting, and ideal for group gatherings. There’s a social, communal vibe to digging into a shared bowl.

It’s easy to prepare and can be made ahead, so it makes for the perfect appetizer for a busy home entertainer!

Key Ingredients for this cheesy baked spinach artichoke dip

Artichoke Hearts

Artichokes have a subtle, slightly nutty and tangy flavor that adds depth to this cheesy dip. Their taste is earthy and distinctive, which helps balance the richness of the creamy ingredients. The mild flavor of artichokes pairs beautifully with other common dip ingredients like spinach, garlic, Parmesan, and cheeses. They bring out the best in other flavors, making your dip even more delicious. You can use marinated artichoke hearts or a can of artichoke hearts. Be sure to drain the artichokes before adding to the dip.

Spinach

Baby spinach has a mild, slightly earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with the tangy, nutty taste of artichokes. It adds a fresh, green note that balances the richness of the creamy and cheesy ingredients. You can use fresh spinach or frozen spinach in this easy recipe.

If you’re using frozen, place the frozen spinach in a bowl and let it thaw at room temperature, or use the microwave to speed up the process (about 1–2 minutes on defrost or low power). Place the thawed spinach in a fine mesh strainer and press down firmly with a spoon or spatula to squeeze out the water. Alternatively, wrap the spinach in a clean kitchen towel or paper towel and squeeze until most of the excess liquid is removed.

Most frozen spinach comes pre-chopped, but if the pieces seem too large, give it a quick chop with a knife for a finer texture that blends seamlessly into the dip.

Sour Cream

Sour cream adds a tangy flavor and creamy consistency to the dip, making it smooth and luscious without being overly heavy.

Havarti Cheese

Havarti is known for its creamy, smooth texture that melts beautifully. When added to the dip, it helps create that luscious, gooey consistency that everyone loves in a hot, cheesy dip. If you’re not a fan, mozzarella cheese would also work. It’s best to shred by hand before adding to the dip, as pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents (like cellulose or starch) to prevent the cheese from clumping together in the bag. While these agents are fine for some recipes, they can affect the texture and meltability of the cheese in a dip. The result can be a grainy or less smooth texture rather than the creamy, gooey consistency you want in a dip.

Cream Cheese

Cream cheese has a neutral, slightly tangy flavor that complements the spinach, artichokes, and cheeses without overpowering them. It lets the other ingredients shine while providing a creamy base to this spinach dip recipe.

Mayonnaise

Mayo adds an extra layer of creaminess to the dip, helping to create that luxurious, smooth texture we love. It helps bind all the ingredients together while making the dip rich without being too heavy.

Parmesan Cheese

When used in combination with softer cheeses like cream cheese or Havarti, Parmesan cheese adds a bit of texture. You can sprinkle some on top of the dip before baking for a crispy, golden crust that adds both flavor and a satisfying crunch in this spinach artichoke dip recipe.

Garlic

A garlic clove or two brings a deep, savory, and aromatic flavor that elevates the entire dip. It adds a bold, fragrant note that complements the mild spinach and artichokes, making the dip more flavorful and dynamic.

Additional Ingredients

black pepper

How do you make creamy spinach and artichoke dip?

This spinach and artichoke dip couldn’t be easier to put together, which is what makes it the perfect party dip! Here are some tips to make it the best spinach and artichoke dip you’ll ever eat:

Start with room temperature ingredients. This dip includes cream cheese, which, when mixed in at room temperature, is so much easier to work with!

Drain your spinach and artichokes completely before incorporating them into the recipe, especially if you’re using frozen spinach. To thaw frozen spinach, remove frozen spinach from bag and place in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until soft, 2-3 minutes. Add spinach to a fine-mesh sieve and press out all the moisture with the back of a spatula. No one likes a runny spinach and artichoke dip!

Grate the cheese by hand. Pre-grated cheese contains preservatives like potato starch and natamycin, which are included to keep the shreds from clumping together in the bag. This also means they don’t melt together as well when baking. Freshly grated cheese lacks those additives so your spinach and artichoke dip will turn out much smoother.

Simply mix all the ingredients together In a large mixing bowl until well combined. Put in a cast iron skillet or baking dish, and bake! It’s that easy!

What should I serve with spinach and artichoke dip?

Although this spinach-artichoke dip could be eaten with a spoon (no judgment here!) sometimes you need a vessel to scoop this gooey goodness from the skillet. Here are some ideas for what you could serve alongside your creamy dip:

• Tortilla chips – corn chips and classic spinach artichoke dip are a perfect pairing for this creamy dip
• Pita chips – a little sturdier vessel for those big scoops of hot dip!
• Toasted baguette slices – I like to slice up a baguette on a bias and toast them in the oven at 350 until they’re golden brown. Remove from the oven and drizzle with olive oil and rub a garlic clove cut in half (sliced side against the baguette) over the top. It adds an extra hint of garlic for those garlic lovers
• Veggies – carrots cut into sticks, broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers or celery sliced into sticks are a great option for those guests who are trying to watch their carb intake. Add them to your game day spread!

This is perfect for a super bowl party, backyard barbeque, or holiday gathering! It’s one of my favorite appetizers!

If you loved this hot dip, be sure to check out my imitation crab dip!

FAQ and Expert Tips

Let the dip cool slightly. Tip: Let the dip sit for about 5–10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set and makes it easier to scoop.

Let the top get golden brown. If necessary, put your oven on broil to get that golden brown crust. It gives the dip that irresistible golden, bubbly top that adds texture and a crispy finish.

Got leftovers? Let the dip cool completely before placing in an airtight container for storage. This helps lock in freshness and prevents the dip from absorbing odors from other foods in the fridge.

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