Description
Creamy pot spinach artichoke dip combines cheesy goodness with tangy flavors from classic Italian ingredients. Guests will devour this crowd-pleasing appetizer that delivers rich, comforting textures with simple preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (100 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 (10 oz / 280 g) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
- 1 (14 oz / 400 g) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
- ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Ingredient Preparation: Meticulously drain frozen spinach, pressing out excess moisture, and finely dice artichoke hearts into uniform pieces to prevent a watery consistency.
- Cheese Base Formation: Blend softened cream cheese and sour cream in a large mixing bowl until smooth, creating a luxurious foundational mixture for the dip.
- Cheese Integration: Thoroughly mix parmesan and mozzarella cheeses into the cream base, ensuring complete incorporation and a harmonious texture.
- Vegetable Infusion: Gently fold drained spinach and chopped artichoke hearts into the cheese mixture, distributing vegetables evenly throughout.
- Seasoning Enhancement: Introduce minced garlic, dried herbs, salt, and black pepper, stirring carefully to amplify the flavor profile and create a balanced taste.
- Baking Preparation: Spread the mixture uniformly in a baking dish, topping with an additional layer of cheese to achieve a golden, crispy surface during cooking.
- Oven Transformation: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges and a bubbling center that indicates complete heating.
- Serving Presentation: Allow the dip to rest briefly after removing from the oven, then serve warm alongside toasted bread, crackers, or fresh vegetable crudités for an inviting appetizer experience.
Notes
- Drain Spinach Thoroughly: Press out every drop of moisture using a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth to prevent a soggy, watery dip that loses its creamy texture.
- Choose Quality Cheese: Select freshly grated parmesan and mozzarella for maximum flavor and smooth melting, avoiding pre-shredded varieties with anti-caking agents.
- Control Baking Temperature: Watch carefully during the last 5 minutes of baking to achieve a golden-brown top without burning, using the middle oven rack for even heating.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap cream cheese for Greek yogurt to reduce fat content, use dairy-free cheese alternatives for vegan versions, or add extra herbs for a more complex flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg