Creamy Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip Recipe

Easy Spinach Artichoke Dip is a creamy, oven-baked appetizer made with cream cheese, Parmesan, frozen spinach, mayonnaise and canned artichoke hearts. It delivers the classic restaurant-style flavor and is simple to prepare—your guests will keep asking for the recipe.

This spinach artichoke dip was inspired by a recent restaurant visit and captures the rich, savory taste I crave when ordering this classic appetizer. It’s perfect to have baking as guests arrive—warm, cheesy, and crowd-pleasing. The recipe requires only about 10 minutes of active prep time and uses common pantry ingredients, making it a reliable choice for gatherings, showers, game days, and casual evenings.

Ingredients

• Cream Cheese – Regular full-fat cream cheese is recommended for the best texture; reduced-fat can be used to lower calories.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese – A good-quality Parmesan adds depth, though pre-grated options work fine.
• Mayonnaise – Adds creaminess and balance. Use your preferred brand.
• Spices – Dried basil, salt and pepper provide simple, complementary seasoning.
• Artichoke Hearts – Canned artichoke hearts, rinsed, drained and coarsely chopped; water-packed or marinated both work.
• Frozen Spinach – Thawed and thoroughly squeezed dry; this recipe uses roughly two-thirds of a 12-ounce package (about 1/2 cup squeezed).
• Mozzarella Cheese – Shredded and used as a melty topping; add more if you prefer a cheesier crust.

Recipe Notes

• Be sure to remove as much water as possible from the thawed spinach. Microwave the spinach for 60–90 seconds, drain in a colander, then press and squeeze with paper towels or cheesecloth until dry. Excess moisture will make the dip watery.
• Coarsely chop the artichoke hearts. Larger pieces give great texture and ensure that each chip or cracker scoops up artichoke in every bite.
• For best flavor, assemble the dip and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before baking. It can also be made the night before.
• Bake the dip in a pie plate, small oven-safe skillet, or a ceramic baking dish—whichever you prefer for serving.

Variations

• Add heat: Stir in crushed red pepper flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
• Lower-calorie option: Use reduced-fat cream cheese and light mayonnaise to cut calories while keeping good flavor.

What to serve with baked Spinach Artichoke Dip?

This dip pairs well with water crackers, sliced baguette, tortilla chips, pita chips, or fresh vegetables such as celery sticks, bell pepper strips, and baby carrots. Choose a variety of dippers so guests can enjoy different textures with the creamy dip.

Recipe

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Servings: 8 | Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 25 mins | Total time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 14 oz can artichoke hearts, rinsed, drained and coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, grated Parmesan, mayonnaise, minced garlic, dried basil, salt and pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended.
3. Fold in the thoroughly drained spinach and the chopped artichoke hearts until evenly distributed.
4. Transfer the mixture to a lightly greased 9-inch pie plate, small skillet, or baking dish. Smooth the top and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the surface.
5. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly and lightly golden on top. Let stand a few minutes before serving.

Notes

For deeper flavor, chill the assembled dip for at least 30 minutes before baking so the ingredients have time to meld. The dip can be prepared the day before and baked just before serving.

Nutrition (per serving)

• Calories: 195 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 5 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Fat: 17 g

Recipe adapted from a classic version; quantities and instructions have been streamlined for easy home preparation.

More appetizer ideas you might enjoy:

• Jalapeño Pimento Cheese
• Pimento Cheese Pinwheels
• Fried Pickle Dip

Enjoy, y’all!

Alaine