Spinach Artichoke Dip

A creamy delicious dip; this Spinach Artichoke Dip is perfect for parties, pot luck or to just enjoy with bread and wine!

An easy recipe that comes together super quick, this dip is SO good with all kind of dippers!

Dips are always show stoppers at so many parties. A super versatile section of cooking; dips are easy to customize and always a treat with a host of dippers.

From cold and easy to make dips to the ones that are warm and have some extra steps to put together; we love them all.

Salsa, guacamole, Indian chutney, hummus, muhammara and so on. These are all great throughout the year but come in extra handy during the Holiday season. The same goes for today's recipe; Spinach Artichoke Dip.

This dip is super versatile and is great throughout the year. But it is extra special during the Holidays when we need something quick, easy and yet fulfilling.

My earliest memories of Spinach Artichoke Dip are from a decade ago. When I first tried this at Cheesecake Factory; I instantly became a fan! The rich creamy dip with a ton of flavors and the gooey cheese on top was a winner that night. And till date I like to make this dip for so many parties and beyond!

It has been a star at a couple of Christmas parties, at our housewarming party and a birthday party as well. If you love this dip as much, this is your time to make it at home. If you do not, you surely will by the end of this post!

What is Spinach Artichoke Dip

A creamy dip made with LOTS of spinach, artichoke hearts and a host of creamy ingredients.

The recipe gets its taste from the vegetables and the texture from the dairy ones. The elements do change based on personal preferences but I have seen at least two of these in the recipe all the time: sour cream, whipping cream, yogurt, cream cheese, mayonnaise and cheese.

The combination can be picked based on how you like the dip but the result is generally super creamy, gooey and yum.

This dip can be served with chips, vegetable sticks, toasted baguette slices and so on. It is also a great addition to pasta, on to pizza, etc. It is a very versatile dip in every way.

There are recipes that make it on the stove top, in the oven and in the crockpot. My preferred way is to use the oven to make this.

This Recipe of Spinach Artichoke Dip

• Is so much better than the restaurants! I have been inspired to make it from the restaurant but now I love this version over that one any day! And my taste testers; my friends and family agree on this one!
• It is a make ahead recipe for any party. In fact it can be made up to 2 days in advance. I just like to place it in the oven right before serving. Or just broil for a couple minutes to get the signature crisp top.
• We use a host of easy to find ingredients in the recipe. We do not use any complicated stuff in the recipe and chances are you might have them all in the pantry and refrigerator already!
• Neither do we need any fancy equipment. Only a stove and an oven and pans that work on these. That is pretty much it.
• We do not add any extra heat to the recipe. This makes it perfect for kids but not un flavorful for the adults. So the recipe is such that everyone can enjoy from one bowl!

A perfect party dip this one works really well for pot lucks too. If you are a person who believes they have zero cooking skills; you can still whip this one up to bring at a potluck. It is definitely THAT easy!

Video Recipe

Ingredients

Spinach: We need a large amount of fresh baby spinach to make this dip.

However, regular spinach or frozen spinach works well too. Pick the one that you like the best.

Artichokes: Along with spinach we add artichoke hearts to the recipe. Here the options are marinated hearts regular. I prefer the marinated ones as they are packed with flavor.

I have never made this with fresh hearts and not sure if that works at all.

Cream: Heavy cream is a star here to make the dip creamy. If you would like a lighter version, try half and half. The dip will not be as creamy but will still do.

A lot of recipes use sour cream instead of heavy cream too. However, I find the combination of that and marinated hearts to be extra tangy.

Mayonnaise: Another ingredient to make the dip creamy is mayonnaise. If you have a preference of non-egg version, pick a brand accordingly.

Cheese: Shredded cheese is the best in this recipe. Not only does it make the dip delicious, the top covered with cheese caramelizes so well.

Pick between Pepper Jack and mozzarella depending on whether or not you like the cheese pulling in the dip.

Cream Cheese: I like to use a small bit of cream cheese in the recipe. I skip it several times and the dip works just as well.

Onion, Garlic: Finely diced onion and garlic are optional ingredients in the recipe. However, I like them for texture, flavor and taste. Together these make the dip even more delicious! These are sautéed in oil for the recipe.

Seasonings: Because the recipe has marinated hearts, onion, garlic and pepper jack cheese, I only add salt and pepper to flavor the dip.

However, some oregano, thyme, red chili flakes work well too.

Variations

• To make the dip egg-free, use an eggless mayonnaise or switch with sour cream.
• In order to get some heat into the dip add some diced jalapeños, smoked paprika or even chili garlic paste.
• Swap out the cheese for your favorite cheese. Gruyere, mozzarella, parmesan etc work well for the recipe.
• Switch the spinach for your favorite greens. Kale is a great option for this dip.

Step by Step Instructions to make Spinach Artichoke Dip

1- In a pan add oil. Once it heats up add garlic.

2- Let the garlic sauté till it is fragrant. Then add onions.

3- Cook the onions till the raw flavor vanishes.

4- Then add chopped spinach.

5- Cook till the spinach wilts. Turn down heat and set aside.

6- In a mixing bowl add whipping cream, mayonnaise, cream cheese, cheese, salt and pepper.

7- Mix everything well.

8- Next add the spinach mixture and quartered artichoke hearts.

9- Mix everything till the spinach is spread into the mix evenly.

10- Transfer to a heat proof dish and spread it evenly.

11- Add the remaining shredded cheese and set to bake at 350 F for 25-30 minutes. Once the cheese starts to brown and the sides are bubbly; remove from the oven.

12- Serve with your favorite crackers, toasted baguette, chips etc.

Tips and Notes

• Use a block of cheese and shred it instead of pre-shredded cheese. The block cheese tends to melt really well to get the creamiest dip.
• To make the dip lower in fat, switch whipping cream for half and half. The dip will not be as creamy but it will still work.
• The same dip can be made with frozen spinach. If doing so, the spinach does not need to be cooked. It can be added directly into the cream mixture.
• Canned or marinated artichokes are great here. Both of these work equally well.

More dips to try

• Papdi Chaat Dip: A variation of the classic seven layer dip; this Papdi Chaat Dip has all the flavors of chaat in a dippable form. Serve it with papdi, chips or just enjoy with a spoon!
• Mango Salsa: This Mango Salsa is juicy, slightly spicy and sweet. Perfect as a dip, in tacos or as a topping for grilled recipes!
• Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus: Roasted Butternut Squash adds flavor, color and amazing taste to the ordinary 7-ingredient hummus!

The recipe was originally published in 2015, updated in 2022.