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Easy Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe: Perfect for Parties and Game Day
Spinach Artichoke Dip is a creamy, cheesy, and irresistibly delicious appetizer that’s perfect for any party or game-day gathering.
This easy homemade Spinach Artichoke dip recipe comes together in just minutes with simple ingredients like artichoke hearts, spinach, cream cheese, Parmesan, and seasonings.
It’s a crowd-pleasing recipe that disappears quickly!
This creamy spinach artichoke dip is easy to make, flavorful, and customizable.
Switch up the cheeses or add different herbs and spices to make it your own.
Serve it hot or cold with tortilla chips, pita chips, crackers, or fresh veggies for dipping.
It’s sure to be a hit at your next Thanksgiving, Super Bowl party, or any appetizer spread. Read on for the full homemade spinach artichoke dip recipe.
Nutrition
| Serving Size | 1/4 cup |
|---|---|
| Calories | 179 |
| Total Fat | 17g |
| Saturated Fat | 6g |
| Cholesterol | 33mg |
| Sodium | 284mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 4g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Protein | 6g |
Ingredient list for this spinach artichoke dip recipe
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Butter | 2 tablespoons |
| Yellow onion, diced | 1 small |
| Garlic, minced | 2 cloves |
| Artichoke hearts, drained and chopped | 2 (14 oz) cans |
| Frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry | 10 ounces |
| Cream cheese, softened | 8 ounces |
| Mayonnaise | 1 cup |
| Grated Parmesan cheese | 1 cup |
| Sour cream | 1⁄2 cup |
| Milk | 1⁄4 cup |
| Garlic powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Onion powder | 1⁄2 teaspoon |
| Dried basil | 1⁄2 teaspoon |
| Dried oregano | 1⁄2 teaspoon |
| Salt and pepper | To taste |
Tips
- Customize it using cheeses like cheddar, Monterey jack, or Mexican blend.
- Add roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, or hot sauce for extra flavor.
- Garnish with extra Parmesan, chopped parsley, or paprika.
- Serve warm for a hot spinach artichoke dip by transferring to a broiler safe dish and broiling for 2-3 minutes before serving.
- Swap the artichoke hearts for hearts of palm for a lower calorie option.
- Pair this creamy spinach artichoke dip with these recipes for a full appetizer spread:
- Baked Brie with Cranberry Chutney
- Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites
- Pesto Stuffed Mushrooms
- Check out these side dish recipes to complete your meal:
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
- Green Bean Casserole
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Browse our Thanksgiving recipes for turkey, stuffing, desserts, and more holiday inspiration.
Ingredient Benefits
Spinach artichoke dip gets its flavor from several nutritious ingredients:
Spinach – This leafy green is loaded with antioxidants like vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K. It also provides iron, magnesium, potassium, and calcium.
Artichoke hearts – Artichokes contain vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber, and antioxidants. They may help improve cholesterol levels and gut health.
Cream cheese – Adds creaminess and a tangy flavor. Use reduced-fat cream cheese to lighten it up.
Mayonnaise – Mixes with the other ingredients to form a creamy texture. Mayonnaise contains eggs, oil, vinegar, and lemon juice.
Parmesan cheese – A salty, nutty cheese that packs a flavor punch. Parmesan is lower in fat than other cheeses.
Sour cream – Contributes creaminess and a tangy flavor. Provides fat and moisture.
Garlic – Garlic adds aroma, flavor, and health benefits. It contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Onion – Onions add aromatic flavor. They contain fiber, vitamin C, and plant compounds.
Herbs and spices – Basil, oregano, garlic powder enhance flavor without added salt or fat.
Difficulty Level
Spinach artichoke dip is easy to make. Even beginner cooks can whip up this simple appetizer recipe with common pantry ingredients. Here is an overview of the difficulty:
Prep Time – 10 minutes
Cook Time – 25-30 minutes
Level of Difficulty – Easy
Skills Needed – Sautéing onions/garlic, mixing ingredients
Tools/Equipment – Skillet, mixing bowl, baking dish
Ingredients – Easy to find. No specialty ingredients are required. Uses pantry staples.
Instructions – Straightforward steps. Requires sautéing aromatics, combining all ingredients, transferring to a baking dish, and baking.
Time Commitment – Only 40 minutes, start to finish, including prep and bake time. The majority of the time is hands-off baking time.
Expected Outcome – Consistently easy, reliable results. It’s hard to mess up.
With simple prep work, easy instructions, and foolproof baking, spinach artichoke dip is an easy weeknight or party appetizer.
Even novice cooks can succeed with this recipe. The ingredients are inexpensive and versatile. Make this crowd-pleasing dip for your next game day or event!
The spinach artichoke dip recipe makes approximately 8-10 servings.
Some key details:
The ingredient amounts listed make about 4 cups of dip in total
A typical serving size for a dip appetizer is around 1/4 to 1/3 cup
Using a 1/3 cup serving size, this recipe would make about 10 servings
If serving as an appetizer alongside other foods, a smaller 1/4 cup serving size would yield approximately 8 servings
For a larger crowd, this recipe can easily be doubled (or tripled) to make more servings
Prepare extra tortilla chips, pita chips, baguette slices, and veggie sticks to accommodate however many servings you need
So, in summary, the full batch of this spinach artichoke dip will provide approximately 8-10 servings, depending on the serving size.
It’s an easy recipe to scale up as needed for parties and gatherings.
Why are these ingredients used?
Here is an explanation of what each ingredient adds to the spinach artichoke dip recipe:
Butter – Adds richness and enhances flavor
Onion – Provides aromatic flavor
Garlic – Gives flavor and aroma
Artichoke hearts – Chunky texture and mild artichoke flavor
Spinach – Leafy texture, color, nutrients
Cream cheese – Creaminess, tanginess, and base
Mayonnaise – Binder, moisture, richness
Parmesan – Sharp, salty flavor and savory umami
Sour cream – Tangy flavor, moisture
Milk – Thins out the dip to a dipping consistency
Garlic powder – Garlic flavor without bitterness
Onion powder – Onion flavor without texture
Basil – Fresh herbal flavor
Oregano – Earthy, zesty flavor
Salt and pepper – Seasoning and flavor enhancement
Each ingredient has a role in contributing texture, flavor, moisture, and overall balance to the spinach artichoke dip.
Combining the ingredients results in a creamy, cheesy, savory dip perfect for dipping and sharing.
The ingredients can be adjusted based on preference to make the recipe customizable.
Food to serve with this easy spinach artichoke dip recipe
Here are some delicious items to serve alongside spinach artichoke dip:
Breads and Crackers
- Pita chips
- Tortilla chips
- Crackers (gluten-free, whole wheat, etc.)
- Baguette slices
- Crostini
- Garlic bread
- Pretzel crisps
Fresh Vegetables
- Carrots
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Bell peppers
- Broccoli florets
- Cherry tomatoes
- Radishes
- Jicama
- Zucchini slices
Other Finger Foods
- Potato chips
- Chicken tenders or nuggets
- Sliders or mini sandwiches
- Meatballs
- Grilled shrimp skewers
- Stuffed mushrooms
- Cheese cubes
Dairy Items
- Cheese slices or cubes
- Yogurt dip
- Guacamole
- Hummus
Spreads
- Olive tapenade
- Basil pesto
- Sun-dried tomato pesto
- Chutneys or fruit preserves
Other Dips
- French onion dip
- Buffalo chicken dip
- Salsa
- Queso dip
- Baba ganoush
- Beer cheese dip
With its rich, creamy texture, spinach artichoke dip pairs perfectly with various breads, crackers, vegetables, and other finger foods for scooping and dipping.
Offer a combination of crunchy and creamy accompaniments to make it a complete appetizer spread.
History
The origins of spinach artichoke dip can be traced back to American bar and casual restaurant menus in the 1970s and 80s.
Recipes for hot dips featuring spinach and artichokes began appearing in cookbooks in the 1990s.
Food historians believe it evolved from similar creamy vegetable dip recipes like hot onion dip.
Spinach artichoke dip became popular across the United States by the 1990s and was featured in cooking shows on TV.
Restaurants and food brands began offering packaged versions for consumers to recreate at home. It became a staple appetizer for serving at parties, potlucks, and other gatherings.
While classic spinach artichoke dip recipes use a base of mayonnaise and cream cheese, lighter versions evolved over the years, using Greek yogurt and sour cream instead.
The basic ingredients remain artichoke hearts, spinach, Parmesan, and seasonings.
This versatile dip is customizable based on ingredient preferences.
Modern versions incorporate other flavors like bacon, jalapeño, roasted red peppers, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Its creamy, cheesy, vegetarian-friendly flavor makes it a go-to party food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some commonly asked questions about spinach artichoke dip to give you some further help.
How long does spinach artichoke dip last in the fridge?
Properly stored, spinach artichoke dip will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Keep it covered in an airtight container. The flavors may intensify over time as the ingredients meld together. If storing for longer than 5 days, freeze it in an airtight container for 2-3 months.
Can I make spinach artichoke dip ahead of time?
Yes, you can make spinach artichoke dip in advance. Prepare the dip as directed up until baking. Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day before baking. Let the dip sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking to remove the chill.
Can I freeze spinach artichoke dip?
Spinach artichoke dip freezes well for 2-3 months. Let the dip cool completely before freezing. Transfer to a freezer-safe container, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating until hot and bubbly.
How do you reheat spinach artichoke dip?
To reheat spinach artichoke dip, place the container in a 300 ̊F oven for 20-25 minutes until heated through. For quicker reheating, you can heat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until hot. Stir frequently to ensure even heating.
The post Easy Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe: Perfect for Parties and Game Day appeared first on Your New Foods.
