Cheesy Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip — 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
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?
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 1/2 cups artichokes, roughly chopped (I used 6 ounces frozen artichoke hearts from TJs, chopped; oil-packed artichokes in a jar may be substituted)
- 1 1/2 cups frozen spinach, thawed
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 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 that’s a consideration for you.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 601Total Fat: 58gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 39gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 728mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 12g
More Cheesy Dip Recipes:
Hot Cheesy Corn Dip — This easy corn dip recipe literally takes five minutes to stir together. It’s great for parties, football, and tailgating!
5-Minute Chili Cheese Dip — EASY, ready in 5 minutes, just 3 main ingredients, and made in the microwave!! The CHEESE is irresistible! The perfect game day or easy party appetizer that everyone LOVES!!
Creamy Baked Double Cheese and Onion Dip – 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 — This cheesy BLT dip is loaded with two types of cheese, bacon, fresh tomatoes, and more! It’s perfect for holiday parties and tailgating and is SO easy to make!
Loaded Baked Tater Tot Dip — Favorite baked potato fixings baked together in a dip!
Spicy Chorizo Queso – No processed cheese in this EASY cheese dip that’s ready in 20 minutes!! Wonderfully spicy thanks to the chorizo! Great appetizer for holiday entertaining, parties, and game days!!
Baked Triple Cheese and Salsa Tortilla Chip Dip — Loaded with 3 kinds of cheese and baked to browned, bubbly, golden perfection.
Easy Pizza Dip — If you’re a cheese lover or a pizza fan, you’re going to love this crust-less pizza dip!
I can’t stop looking at your blog. It’s too tempting. I actually tried this kind of dip at a restaurant and they used pizza crusts to dip instead. It’s amazing! The crusts soak up the dip and adds more flavor.
Thanks for the compliments and your comments today!
You said to use 1 1/2 cups of frozen spinach, is that like a 10oz box?
I used about half of a frozen 12-ounce bag from Trader Joe’s. If you’re using a 10 oz, I would use slightly over half of it, eyeball it, and add a little more (or less), to taste depending on how spinach-ey you want it vs. artichokey. Hope that helps (a VERY flexible recipe, to say the least!)
Um, excuse me while I book an emergency plane ticket to SD so I can stuff my face with this dip on the beach. OH MY GOD! My mind literally cannot process how GOOEY this is. And obvi since it has spinach and artichokes, it must be healthy, right?! ;)
Healthy, yes, for sure. I mean look at all those vegetables :)
I’m with you, no chips needed just hand me a spoon!
So cheesy! The best part of chips and dip is definitely the dip.
Omg, this post is making me so hungry! The recipe sounds amazing, but your photography makes the food look even better :)
Thanks, Crystal!
Skip the top mozza layer? No way, it’s the best part!
You know that spin and art dip is my ultimate weakness! And screw the chips – a spoon is all that’s needed.
Your slowcooker dip makes me weak in the knees seeing the pics!
I love everything about this dip, what great combination of flavors.
All I can say is “yummmmmmmmmmmmmm” — so making this for the next big family get together!!!
Arrrrr… I can’t get artichoke here. Haven’t even seen them before. You’ve won me over and now I have to see where I can snag some. Might have to order in from Amazon or something. Gah!
Well it’s a vegetable that you maybe can get in a small jar with oil? Canned? Frozen? They sell them all those ways here, and of course, fresh. Hope you can get some!
I will knife anyone who gets in the way of me and crispy, burnt cheese. First order of business would be to gobble up all that extra-crispy goodness around the edges!
Totally agree with you that chips are not necessary to eat dip – spoons work great, but if your uncouth like me, your finger works better.
Love the way you think :)
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
Who needs pizza when you can burnt cheese with a spinach dip. I can see this with pita bread points. Delish.
Can I have this for breakfast?
I just had almond butter on toast…borrrrring!
Maybe cookie butter or Nutella on toast next time…LOL :)
I love Trader Joe’s frozen artichokes – and this classic dip! That crusty top looks dangerously good Averie.
Glad you’re a fan of the artichokes too!
Spinach artichoke is one of my favorite dips in the worlddddd. Cannot wait to try your recipe. :)
The overcooked cheese is the best part! :) Going to look for the frozen artichoke hearts next time I’m at TJ’s.
They ROCK!
Wow , your right you could totally make a meal out of this dip. Dinner is served!
YUM! I would fight everyone for those brown crusty corners!
Extra browned cheese at the edges is preferable for us (my sweet pot-egg-mozz skillet had that going on!! Kroger started carrying frozen artichokes a few years ago (I tried canned chokes in water once but they seemed too mushy to me). I could make a meal out of this too….and I could also see myself eating the top then putting more cheese on and sticking it back in the oven!
I like your idea of eating/adding more cheese/baking again :)
Dips are totally acceptable as a meal!
I mean, all that cheese has protein and you have vegetables with spinach and artichokes! Add a few potato chips – VOILA! Carbs ;)
Drooling over this dip!
Mmm I love the extra browned pieces of cheese on top – my family would be fighting over those! This dip looks so good, and you’re right – who needs a meal when you have dip?!
Yeah that extra browned action was a function of multitasking and getting distracted…with Pinterest. LOL :)
I’m like that with salsa! I load up my chips so high that there must be at least half of a tomato on every one. I actually haven’t had a baked dip before, but after your gorgeous photos (and all that cheese), that might have to change soon!
Baked dips are the best! You just stir stuff together, put it in a pan, and bake. Pretty much impossible to screw up unless you forget about it in the oven while you’re pinning stuff…like me. LOL
Pinterest is SO addictive! I “waste” so much time on there… And I just discovered your “You Gotta Make This Board;” I could get lost for hours in all of those gorgeous photos and recipes!
I love this creamy/cheesy dip! I can’t resist cheese and this dip is like loaded! YUMMM
I could make a meal out of dip. <– I have and I still do. And I am not ashamed.
I haven't made my cauli-version of this dip in way too long. That needs to happen. I have everything I need to do so. If it wasn't midnight, I'd be all over it.
Oh you have a cauli version? Sorry my memory is not serving me on even recalling that! But it sounds so good and I can see what the swaps would be but knowing you dont do any dairy, what do you do for the cheese and mayo to get that texture? Need to figure that out!
It’s totally less calories without the chips anyway. :)
And yes, artichokes are another thing I won’t eat alone. BUT I love them in dip like this. AMAZING.
Well everything slathered in mayo, cream cheese, and cheese is pretty much…awesome, right :)
Yes, a little chip with my dip is exactly the way I like it, too! Artichoke dip is one of my favourite appetizers when out at a restaurant because served piping hot, it’s wonderful. Cold too, but melty cheese….mmmmm. :)
Who can say no to melty cheese, right!
Burnt cheese is my absolute favorite! And this thick layer of cheese is freaking calling my name the trouble is I would peel off the whole layer of mozzarella and eat it all at once. I have NO self control when it comes to cheese- my sister and I bought 5 different kinds on wednesday and by friday we had to go out and buy more!! Issues. I always get the artichokes in the glass jars but they are so oily sometimes, I am totally going to TJs and getting the frozen ones then I can make this dip and make a steamed artichoke salad the next day after my cheese coma ;)
I’m so glad you’re down with the burnt cheese! There is SO much flavor in it. It’s like…pure comfort food, at it’s finest :) Peeling off that layer, I admit, I wanted to do it so badly but was serving this at a party and couldn’t, otherwise I would have! And girl the TJ’s frozen artichoke hearts, another blogger like 5 yrs ago turned me onto them, and they’ve been a staple for me ever since! There’s like no calories in them (like 25 per serving and there’s only 2 or 3 servings in the entire bag? compared to oil packed ones which are pretty much as bad as eating peanut butter by the spoonful, and I’d prefer that LOL). If you do try this, LMK!