This hot and cheesy baked spinach artichoke dip recipe is the ultimate party dip! It’s creamy, absolutely LOADED with cheese, and baked until golden brown for the best spinach artichoke dip ever. Seriously, it's like no other dip recipes matter once you try this one.
Why You’ll Love It
When it comes to a crowd favorite, nothing beats my cheesy baked spinach artichoke dip!
Whether you’re scooping it up with tortilla chips, pita chips, or slices of baguette, this creamy dip is always a big hit at the next party or game day spread.
Unlike some restaurant versions that can have a grainy texture or too much liquid, this recipe keeps everything thick and scoopable while also being balanced and delicious.
The creamy base is made with Hellmann's mayonnaise who inspired this recipe with their original game day dip recipe. But it's also got cream cheese, and tons of various shredded cheese which guarantees a rich, melty bite.
Meanwhile, the chopped spinach and a jar or can of artichoke hearts give it that classic veggie kick we all know and love.
And once you add in the fresh garlic, a sprinkle of the veggie seasoning and you’ll see why this is one of my favorite spinach artichoke recipes, EVER!
Oh, and don't forget that this spinach artichoke dip recipe is literally so easy! All you need to do is mix, dump, and bake! You can even do it in a slow cooker if that's more your vibe.
Plus, it can be prepped ahead of time, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, and stored in an airtight container until it’s ready to slide into a warm oven.
So let's get into it yall!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here are the simple ingredients you’ll need to bring our favorite spinach artichoke dip to life. Each ingredient plays a role in building that iconic flavor profile. You can find the exact ingredient amounts in the recipe card as always.
- Hellmann’s Mayonnaise: Adds richness and a creamy texture to this easy spinach artichoke dip. You could swap in Greek yogurt or regular sour cream for a lighter option.
- Frozen Spinach: Make sure it’s thawed spinach with excess water squeezed out. Fresh spinach or fresh baby spinach also work if sautéed first to remove much moisture. I recommend grabbing a frozen bag of spinach bc it's easy to work with but that's just my preference.
- Cream Cheese: Room temperature cream cheese blends better and creates a smooth, creamy dip. Light cream cheese works too if you prefer but the real stuff is best for this spinach dip recipe...
- Marinated Artichoke Hearts: Be sure to drain a large jar of marinated artichokes to prevent too much liquid in the dip. Canned artichokes also work fine... But trust me on the marinated artichoke part - it makes a big difference!
- Water Chestnuts: They add crunch and better texture. You could replace them with chopped red bell pepper for a different bite.. or leave them out completely if you have strong opinions on water chestnuts.
- Garlic Cloves: Fresh garlic is best, but garlic powder or onion powder can work in a pinch.
- Knorr Vegetable Recipe Mix: Packs in a ton of flavor and seasons the whole dish without needing additional salt. Feel free to add some hot sauce if you like a spicy kick to it! If so, I recommend a tablespoon or so of Frank's hot sauce just to give it more depth.
- Shredded Melty Cheese: A combo of Monterey Jack cheese and white cheddar make give a better flavor than just sticking to one cheese. If you want more melty pull, add extra cup of the mozzarella!
- Parmesan Cheese: Salty, nutty, and helps the top get golden brown and add a umami kick to the whole dish.
- Fresh Mozzarella: Hand torn for those gooey pockets of cheese that make this dip extra indulgent. Hello cheese pulls!!
- Optional Ingredients: If you want more of a crunchy crust (rather than a cheesy crust on this easy appetizer recipe), use ½ cup panko and 2 tablespoon of olive oil. Toss them together and pour on top of the dip and broil for a few minutes or until crispy.
- For Serving: This dip is best served hot with crusty bread, pita bread, carrot sticks, crisp veggies, or even small bowls of pita chips for dipping.
How to Make It
This creamy baked spinach artichoke dip recipe comes together with minimal effort and delivers maximum payoff. Here’s how to nail it every single time.
- PREHEAT OVEN: Preheat your oven to 350° F. A warm oven ensures everything bakes evenly and melts into the perfect creamy base.
- MIX INGREDIENTS: In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except ½ cup of mozzarella cheese. Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature for better mixing and a smoother texture.
- TRANSFER TO DISH: Spoon the spinach artichoke dip mixture into a 2-quart prepared baking dish or cast-iron skillet. Spread evenly, then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top.
- BAKE: Bake for 35 minutes, or until the dip is hot, creamy, and bubbling around the edges.
- BROIL FOR COLOR: Turn the broiler on medium-high heat or medium-low heat for an additional minute or two until the top is golden brown. Watch closely though. Those cheesy components can go from perfect to burnt quickly.
- SERVE: Serve immediately with tortilla chips, baguette slices, pita chips, carrot sticks, or fresh vegetables. This party dip is always a crowd favorite and one of my favorite ways to kick off holiday appetizer season.
- SAVE: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in a large skillet over medium heat, an oven-safe skillet in a degree oven, or the microwave in small bowls covered with plastic wrap for additional minutes until warmed through. You can also freeze it and reheat it!
What to Serve It With
This creamy dip deserves all the dippers. For the best spinach artichoke dip experience, pair it with:
- Tortilla chips or pita chips for salty crunch.
- My crusty garlic bread spread slathered on slices of baguette for that rustic, hearty bite.
- Carrot sticks, celery, or other crisp veggies if you want a lighter pairing with fresh vegetables.
- Pita bread or naan warmed in the oven for a soft, chewy option.
It’s also fun to serve this alongside other holiday appetizer classics like bacon and date goat cheese dip or buffalo chicken dip for a spread that guarantees everyone finds a favorite. Whether it’s a game day bash, a holiday appetizer night, or a casual party dip situation, this one is always the crowd pleaser.
And if you like this recipe, you might also like these tasty artichoke recipes:
- Spinach Artichoke Pasta Salad
- One Pot Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Orzo
- The Easiest Grilled Artichokes Recipe with Lemon
- Crispy Oven Fried Artichokes with Lemony Bruschetta Dip
Recipe
Hot & Cheesy Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise
- 1 15 oz bag Chopped Frozen Spinach Leaves , thawed and squeezed to remove excess liquid
- 1 8 oz package Cream Cheese room temperature
- 1 19 oz jar Marinated Artichoke Hearts drained and roughly chopped
- 1 8 oz can Water Chestnuts drained and chopped
- 3 cloves Fresh Garlic grated
- 1 package Knorr Vegetable Recipe Mix
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese shredded
- 1 cup White Cheddar cheese shredded
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 8 oz container Fresh Mozzarella hand torn and divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except ½ cup of the mozzarella cheese.
- Spoon mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish or cast-iron skillet. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 35 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
- Turn broiler on for 1–2 additional minutes until the top is golden brown.
- Serve warm with tortilla chips, baguette slices, pita bread, or fresh vegetables.
Leave a Reply