Cheesy Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip โ This baked spinach artichoke dip disappears at parties and is a crowd favorite! It’s topped with mozzarella, because who doesn’t love cheesy dips?
Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe
I could make a meal out of dip. And baked spinach artichoke dip is my absolute favorite dip.
The old expression about liking a little bit of coffee with my cream rings true with this hot spinach artichoke dip. I like a few bites of chips or crackers with the dip but really, they’re not necessary. Just give me a spoon.
I pile the baked spinach artichoke dip on so thick and sky high that I break chips. Oh well, who needs them?
It’s a super easy dip to make and loosely adapted from my Creamy Baked Double Cheese and Sweet Onion Dip. Stir all the ingredients together in one bowl, transfer to a baking dish, and bake until it’s golden brown and bubbly. Or in my case, a little past golden brown in some places because I was multitasking. It happens.
You don’t have to top the dip with mozzarella if you’re a spinach and artichoke purist, but I think everything is better with a little mozzarella on top.
It’s creamy, cheesy, gooey, and everything I want in a baked spinach and artichoke dip. While the dip is amazing fresh and warm from the oven, leftovers can be kept for up to 1 week in the fridge and you can either gently reheat them in the micro, or serve as a cold dip.
Hot or cold, I love this dip.
What’s in Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip?
For this hot spinach artichoke dip, I used frozen artichoke hearts that come in a 12-ounce bag from Trader Joe’s. I used half the bag, about 1 1/2 cups. Let them thaw, roughly chop them, and you’re ready. I make sure not to over-mince because I like the chunkier texture.
If you don’t have a TJ’s, check your grocer’s freezer case for frozen artichoke hearts because they’re so versatile. I eat steamed artichokes almost every day as a salad add-in. So good and so much healthier than oil-packed artichokes that are lead balloons with fat, calories, and sodium. However, if you want to use oil-packed artichokes here, go for it. Use the whole jar, oil and all. The dip will be extra luxurious.
I used frozen spinach. Recipes like this are made for frozen spinach. I wouldn’t even attempt to mince fresh.
You can use lite cream cheese and mayo to save some calories and fat so that you can eat more dip, of course.
There’s a bit of cayenne pepper in the dip and it doesn’t make it hot or spicy. It makes it not bland. Between 2 cups mayo, 8 ounces cream cheese, and 3 cups mozzarella cheese, it needs something to give it some shazzam. I didn’t add any salt because the aforementioned ingredients are all plenty salty.
How to Make Spinach Artichoke Dip
To make this easy spinach artichoke dip, you’ll first need to stir together the cream cheese and mayonnaise. Then, stir in 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, followed by the remaining ingredients.
Turn the dip into a greased 9-inch pie plate, then sprinkle with remaining mozzarella.
Bake the spinach and artichoke dip until the top is golden browned, bubbly, and it’s done to your liking.
Can I Use Lite Mayonnaise?
Yes, lite mayo or Miracle Whip may be used in place of full-fat mayonnaise.
Can I Use Another Type of Cheese?
If you don’t have shredded mozzarella on hand, you’re welcome to use fontina or another kind of cheese that melts well.
What to Serve with Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip
Pretty much any salty, crunchy chip or cracker pairs perfectly with this hot spinach artichoke dip. A few of my favorite things to dip into this easy spinach artichoke dip are:
- Tortilla chips
- Crackers
- Pretzel thins
- Pita chips
- Toasted baguette slices
- Celery sticks
Tips for Making the Best Spinach Artichoke Dip
The softer your cream cheese is, the easier it’ll be to mix with the mayo. Set the cream cheese out onto the counter an hour before you plan on assembling this baked spinach artichoke dip so it’s nice and soft by the time you actually mix the ingredients together.
If desired, I bet you could prep this hot spinach artichoke dip in a slow cooker. You’d likely want to set the slow cooker to low and cook the dip just until the cheese is melted and gooey, then set it to warm to keep the dip soft. That’s just my best guess though!
Extra baked spinach artichoke dip will keep airtight in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and can be reheated gently in the micro or used as a cold dip.
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Baked Spinach, Artichoke, and Mozzarella Dip
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, very well softened (lite okay)
- 2 cups mayonnaise, lite okay
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided (or fontina or a favorite easy-melting cheese)
- 1 ยฝ cups artichokes, roughly chopped (I used 6 ounces frozen artichoke hearts from TJs, chopped; oil-packed artichokes in a jar may be substituted)
- 1 ยฝ cups frozen spinach, thawed
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ยฝ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- pinch salt, optional and to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F. Spray a 9-inch pie dish (or 1o-inch, or similar-sized oven-safe baking dish) with cooking spray; set aside.
- In a large bowl, add the cream cheese, mayo, and stir to combine. The softer the cream cheese is, the easier this is.
- Add 1 cup cheese (reserving remainder to be sprinkled on top), and all the remaining ingredients. Stir to combine.
- Turn mixture out into prepared dish, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula.
- Evenly sprinkle reserved 2 cups cheese over the top.
- Bake for about 40 minutes, or until top is golden browned, bubbly, and dip is done to your liking. Allow dip to cool momentarily before serving.
Notes
- Dip is excellent warm and fresh, but extra will keep airtight in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and can be reheated gently in the micro or used as a cold dip.
- Read product labels to ensure all products are gluten-free if thatโs a consideration for you.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Creamy Baked Double Cheese and Onion Dip โ One of my favorite dips, and I used to think I hated onions. Stir it together in one bowl in minutes and bake for cheesy comfort food.
Loaded Baked BLT Dip โ This cheesy BLT dip is loaded with two types of cheese, bacon, fresh tomatoes, and more! Itโs perfect for holiday parties and tailgating and is SO easy to make!
Loaded Baked Tater Tot Dip โ Favorite baked potato fixings baked together in a dip!
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Putting mozzarella on top of this dip is such a good idea! I often do make a dinner out of dip. In fact I had guacamole tonight, which left plenty of room for dessert :)
Guac & dessert (and a drink or two) is like…the perfect meal :)
YUM!!! I am loving all the savory posts lately, Averie!
My plan for 2014 was to bake less cakes, cookies, etc. therefore donate less cakes, cookies, etc. No one needs 5 sweets a week I decided. Some savory isn’t all bad :)
OH girl, you know the way to my heart!!! Love this and pinned :)
Spinach artichoke dip is one of my all-time faves and this mozzarella layer on top – LOVE it! Pinned!
Thanks for pinning, Trish!
For me a dip is totally considered a meal, for lunch today I made a dip with farmer cheese and green onions and finished it all myself, small bites with whole wheat ciabatta bread!
I looovveee spinach artichoke dip…but quite honestly I just want to peel off the top of that dip and eat that delicious baked cheese. Great recipe Averie!
Thanks Eric! So many ppl have said that about that layer of cheese – who knew! :)
Whoa! This dip is screaming to me! So cheesy, so creamy, I want some now!
How fabulous! I am such a sucker for dips like this! Off to pin :)
Thanks for the pin, Jenny!
omg that cheesy layer on top-killlliing me! I looove spinach artichoke dip and this looks like….SOOOO goooood!
Ooh yum! This looks awesome! You’re photography is beautiful too!
Thanks!
this looks so decadent – all that cheesy goodness!
Yes, who needs the chips when you’ve got this dip! Is it weird that I would like to eat it for lunch right now? Even though I’ve already eaten lunch? :) It looks seriously delicious!
That’s what happens when you read food blogs :)
Oh I can definitely make a meal out of dip too! Especially when it looks as amazing as this one does! That cheesy top is calling my name!
One of my most favorite things on this planet is the golden melted cheese. I love this dip and have made it many times for parties. I would love to get my fingers messy and dig in right now. Yum
Incredibly delish!
I DO make a meal out of dip. One night, my girlfriend came over and we had a meal of guac, roasted red pepper hummus, and all the fixings to go along with it. Warm spinach artichoke dip is one of my all time favorites though. Look how cheesy this is! You got me hooked on those artichokes, Averie. I bought a pack of them whenever you suggested I buy them a month or so ago. I’m forever grateful. So damn good! Beautiful pics. I always have trouble shooting cheesy foods (mine always look orange!) – shooting one today! You make it look easy.
I’m so glad you tried the artichokes! Love those things. Always have at least 2 bags in the freezer at all times! And I love your story…”one night, my…” For me, that’s not one night. That was half the nights in my 20s :) Along with plenty to wash all that dip/chips down with, of course :)
Oh this shoot was not my fave, trust me. The day I shot it, it was SO BRIGHT out. Like a 100 ISO was still too much. It was glare city on the cheese and tons of focusing issues but I got a few keepers. Thank you for saying you like the images! xo