How to Make Spinach Dip
Better than any restaurant version (I promise!), this easy spinach artichoke dip is made with just 7 ingredients and takes less than 45 minutes from start to finish! And there’s NO MAYO! No family get-together or party is complete with oven-baked spinach dip!
The Easiest Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip Recipe
- It is hands down the best spinach artichoke dip you’ll ever eat! It’s better than any restaurant spinach dip out there. And I know because I’ve pretty much tried them all.
- It’s SO easy to make! If you’re worried about how to make spinach artichoke dip from scratch – let me ease your mind. If you can stir ingredients together, you can make this dip! No fancy kitchen skills or funky gadgets are required! If you love quick and easy appetizer recipes be sure to check out my easy garlic & herb bread dipping oil, easy baked feta appetizer, or my creamy baked crab dip.
- The ingredient list for this easy spinach appetizer is short, sweet, and simple. No fancy cheeses or exotic ingredients. Just simple, straightforward items you’ll be able to find at any grocery store or you may have on hand already!
- It’s best served with a chilled glass of white wine or a full-bodied red wine. Looking for a new ladies’ night appetizer? This hot spinach artichoke dip is IT! Your friends are going to love this baked artichoke dip so much that you might want to think about making a double batch. Cheers!
Ingredients to Make Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip
Fresh Spinach
A key ingredient in this baked spinach dip recipe is (not surprisingly) fresh spinach! Make sure to use fresh for this recipe – frozen spinach is going to release too much moisture and also dull the flavor a bit.
Full-Fat Sour Cream
For the best flavor and texture, I recommend using full-fat sour cream. Most low-fat or fat-free products replace the fat with fake sugar, which is why I typically only use full-fat dairy products.
Full-Fat Cream Cheese
In my humble opinion, spinach dip with cream cheese is the only way to go. It’s how we’re able to make this spinach artichoke dip without mayo! And again, you’re going to get the best flavor and creamy texture by using a full-fat cream cheese.
Canned Artichoke Hearts
I like to buy a can of quartered artichoke hearts because they’re already sliced and they’re usually cheaper than the medium or large artichoke hearts. You could also use the artichoke hearts that come in a jar, marinated in olive oil.
Fresh Garlic
This adds a TON of flavor, so I highly recommend slicing up your own cloves. Absolutely skip the jarred minced garlic, which often comes with a bitter aftertaste. In a pinch, 3/4 of a teaspoon of garlic powder will give you that garlic flavor you need. But freshly minced garlic is always best in this recipe for spinach artichoke dip with no mayo!
Shredded Mozzarella
I like to use thick-cut, whole-milk shredded mozzarella. It gives the best flavor and texture. However, any shredded mozzarella will work. BUT — don’t use fresh mozzarella in this recipe. It will release a lot of moisture and could cause the dip to become watery.
Shredded Parmesan
I like to shred my own because often a wedge of Parmesan is cheaper than the pre-shredded stuff. But any type of shredded Parmesan will work as well. Also, Pecorino or Asiago would work in place of the Parmesan but will change the flavor slightly.
Crusty French Baguette
I love to serve this baked spinach dip with a fresh-baked French baguette or my crispy crostini. Those take-and-bake ones that you find at the grocery store are perfect!
How to Make Spinach Artichoke Dip Without Mayo
Add spinach, artichoke hearts, sour cream, cream cheese, garlic, Parmesan, half the mozzarella, and a large pinch of salt and pepper to a large bowl.
Mix until well combined and spread in a baking dish.
Cover with remaining mozzarella cheese.
Bake until golden brown and bubbly.
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve with crispy crostini bread and enjoy!
Tips for Making This Spinach Artichoke Dip No Mayo Recipe
- Just say NO to frozen spinach. Use fresh spinach every time for the best texture and flavor! Fresh ingredients always taste better and this recipe is no exception! Fresh spinach has just the right amount of moisture and will wilt perfectly into the dip. Frozen spinach tends to be VERY watery and the flavor is quite dull.
- Use fresh garlic. Similar to the spinach, fresh garlic will be best in this recipe! Skip the minced, jarred garlic and mince your own cloves! If you’re in a pinch, 1/2 a teaspoon of garlic powder will give you that garlic flavor you need, but if you can – fresh garlic is always best in this spinach dip recipe!
- Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature. Room-temperature cream cheese and sour cream will make this dip much easier to mix up and will also help it bake more evenly. I like to get all my ingredients ready and then let them sit out on the counter for about 30-60 minutes before mixing everything together.
- If you’re crunched for time, you can mix everything together cold, but the cream cheese is going to be especially hard to mix straight from the fridge. So just be prepared to use some elbow grease to get all the ingredients well combined if you’re using cold ingredients.
- Add the fresh spinach to the bowl first and then add all the other ingredients on top of the spinach. Fresh spinach leaves can be a bit unwieldy so adding the weight of the other ingredients and getting them incorporated right away will help make the spinach a little easier to control.
- Serve with my easy homemade crostini! Crostini is the perfect accompaniment for this creamy spinach dip.
Fresh vs. Frozen Spinach
- I mentioned this above, but it’s worth repeating. ALWAYS. USE. FRESH. SPINACH. It will be cheapest when you buy it in bulk in the produce section of your grocery store, but it also comes pre-washed in sealed plastic bags as well. If you can find a 5 oz. bag of spinach – that’s perfect! Otherwise, if all you can find is 8 oz. bags of spinach, just use a little more than half the bag and you should be good!
- It’s going to look like a lot of spinach before you mix it all together. But you have to trust me here. Spinach shrinks down considerably when cooked, so what looks like a TON of fresh spinach in the beginning, is going to end up being just the right amount of cooked spinach once the spinach dip is done baking.
Make Spinach Dip Ahead of Time
- This dip does great when made ahead of time, which makes it a very convenient option for your next party or family get-together! Assemble the dip as directed in the recipe card, but just before baking, cover with tin foil and pop it in the fridge.
- The unbaked spinach dip will stay good in the fridge for about 2 days but be warned that your fridge is going to smell like fresh garlic pretty quickly once you store it in there. I typically just make this the night before the party so I’m not hit with the smell of fresh garlic every time I open the fridge for too long.
- About an hour before baking, set the artichoke dip out on the counter to come to room temperature. I usually loosen the foil at this time to let the air circulate over the dip, but leave it covered so nothing gets in it. Then just before your guests arrive, throw it in the oven, and voila! You’ve got a hot, bubbly, cheesy, melty, perfectly dipable appetizer ready to go!
Storing Leftover Spinach Dip
Cover spinach dip tightly or transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 4-5 days.
Freezing Spinach Dip
You’re in luck! You can freeze spinach artichoke dip before or after it’s been baked! Disposable pans make this even easier, so you don’t lose the use of a baking dish and you won’t have to worry about any cracks or breaks. Just wrap tightly in several layers of plastic and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Or, portion your dip into smaller freezer-safe containers so you can enjoy a quick snack whenever you would like! Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating Spinach Dip
Reheat leftovers in a 350-degree oven for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. You can also microwave leftovers for 30-60 seconds increments until heated through.
FAQ
What is spinach dip made of?
Making spinach dip from scratch is actually easier than you might think! Cream cheese and sour cream make a deliciously creamy base when combined with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Add in fresh spinach, fresh garlic, and artichoke hearts and you’ve got a delicious, easy appetizer that everyone will love!
Is frozen or fresh spinach better for dip?
Fresh spinach gives you a better flavor and texture than frozen. Frozen spinach has less flavor because it will release moisture as it bakes causing your dip to separate and creating a runny, grainy texture. Fresh spinach releases some moisture as well but not enough to ruin the consistency of the creamy texture.
Are you supposed to heat up spinach and artichoke dip?
I have some strong opinions about cold spinach dip! I don’t believe that spinach dip should be served cold and I also don’t think it should include mayonnaise. As I mentioned, I’m a bit of a spinach dip snob and I firmly believe that spinach dip should be served warm and creamy (no mayo necessary)!
Try These Appetizers Next
Did you love this recipe?
Please leave a 5-star rating and review below!
The Easiest Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Better than any restaurant version (I promise!), this Easy Spinach Artichoke Dip is made with just 7 ingredients and takes less than 45 minutes from start to finish! And there’s NO MAYO! No family get together or party is complete with oven-baked spinach dip!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 5 oz. fresh spinach
- 8 oz. full fat sour cream, room temperature
- 8 oz. full fat cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 (15 oz.) can artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 oz. shredded mozzarella, divided
- 5 oz. shredded Parmesan
- Kosher salt
- fresh cracked pepper
Serve with:
- sliced French baguette
- fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Add fresh spinach to a large bowl. On top of the spinach add sour cream, cream cheese, artichoke hearts, garlic, half the mozzarella, Parmesan and a few hearty pinches of salt along with a pinch of pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Transfer to a 9×9 baking dish or medium sized cast iron skillet. Spread in an even layer and top with remaining mozzarella.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes. Then broil for 1-2 minutes or until the mozzarella on top starts to get dark golden brown.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve with crunchy crostini bread. Enjoy!
- If you loved this recipe, leave a 5-star rating and review below!
Notes
Just say NO to frozen spinach. Use fresh spinach every time for the best texture and flavor! Fresh ingredients always taste better and this recipe is no exception! Fresh spinach has just the right amount of moisture and will wilt perfectly into the dip. Frozen spinach tends to be VERY watery and the flavor is quite dull.
Use fresh garlic. Similar to the spinach, fresh garlic will be best in this recipe! Skip the minced, jarred garlic and mince your own cloves! If you’re in a pinch, 1/2 a teaspoon of garlic powder will give you that garlic flavor you need, but if you can – fresh garlic is always best in this recipe!
Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature. Room temp cream cheese and sour cream will make this dip much easier to mix up and will also help it bake more evenly. I like to get all my ingredients ready and then let them sit out on the counter for about 30-60 minutes before mixing everything together.
If you’re crunched for time, you can mix everything together cold, but the cream cheese is going to be especially hard to mix straight from the fridge. So just be prepared to use some elbow grease to get all the ingredients well combined if you’re using cold ingredients.
When you’re mixing everything together, make sure you add the fresh spinach to the bowl first and then add all the other ingredients on top of the spinach. Fresh spinach leaves can be a bit unwieldy so adding the weight of the other ingredients and getting them incorporated right away will help make the spinach a little easier to control.
This recipe was originally published in September of 2018. It was updated in October of 2023 so you can make the best spinach and artichoke dip every single time!
Best thing I have ever ate! Unbelievably delicious. I crave this now on a regular basis.
Hahaha same! I have to make it at least every couple of months!
Wow, just wow! I just made this for a party tomorrow and I’m having trouble not eating it now! I love the fresh spinach, I did use an immersion blender on it while it was hot because I’m filling puff pastry cups with this so I need a smooth-ish consistency but otherwise I wouldn’t bother. The flavors are absolutely delicious and I put this together in just a few minutes. Will be a crowd pleaser I’m sure. Thank you so much for the recipe.
I hate mayo, which is how I stumbled upon this recipe, huge hit at my party! Everyone, me included loved it !! Sent this recipe to multiple people after. Thank you!
Yes! Mayo has a time and place but spinach dip is not it!! Thank you for sharing this recipe with friends, Cait. That means the world! And thanks for leaving a review. I really appreciate it 🙂
Could I mix it all together the night before, store in fridge and bake right before the party?
Yes! For sure. I’d recommend taking it out of the fridge about an hour before baking to let it come to room temperature. And then you might have to add a few minutes of baking time to account for the cold temperature. Can’t wait to hear how it turns out if you give it a try, Amanda!
No fail! Crowd favorite every time. Thank you!!
The best spinach artichoke dip recipe–I just keep coming back to this one.
I am so glad to hear that, Ellen! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review – I really appreciate it 🙂
I modified the recipe a little and mixed it in with lemon orzo! So good! Thank you. I don’t like mayo so was looking for a recipe without it.
That sounds delicious, Erin! So glad you enjoyed this spinach dip without mayo!
Yes it is the best. Highly recommend you make it.
Making it today! Looks amazing and I changed it up and added Asiago grated cheese along with a bit of red pepper flakes and paprika
This is better than AppleBees ever thought about!!
Could not agree more! Thanks so much for leaving a review, MJ – I really appreciate it 🙂
Can I double this recipe and bake longer?
Yes! I’d recommend adding an extra 10 minutes or so and then checking it every 5-10 after that until it’s done. My favorite way to check if a dip is done is to carefully stick a butter knife in the center of the dip for a couple seconds. When it comes out carefully feel if it’s cold/warm/hot and you’ll know how warm the dip is in the center. Can’t wait to hear what you think if you give it a try!
Excellent recipe! No modifications needed.
Excellent recipe! It was a hit at the New Year’s party I took it to. I doubled the amount of spinach because it felt right to me and it worked perfectly!
This for sharing this recipe with me. Going to bake on Christmas Eve, hope it turn out as you say. It shows really easy to bake & simple.
I am vegetarian, so surly helps.
Thxs.
Everyone at the Christmas Eve party LOVED this dip. I couldn’t try it because it is actually not vegetarian. It could be without the parm and the right brand of mozzarella. Most cheeses contain animal rennet. That aside, it was a big hit. It will be a staple at future parties.
Hi Kimbra! It’s a common misconception that most brands of Parmesan have animal rennet in them. However, in the US most Parmesan cheese is made with vegetable rennet actually. My favorite brand of Parmesan is BelGioioso. Mozzarella made in the US typically does not contain animal rennet either. Anyone following a specific diet should definitely be reading labels to make sure that what they’re eating aligns. But luckily, cheese makers have realized over time that using vegetable rennet instead of animal rennet will allow more folks to enjoy their cheese. So this dip is totally vegetarian when made with most brands of Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
Can you put this in a crockpot?
Yes! You can make it in the crockpot and then warm it up in there and serve! Or you can bake the dip in the crockpot insert and then transfer it to the crock pot to keep warm while serving. However – I’m pretty sure the crock pot insert says you shouldn’t bake it so it’s kind of an “at your own risk” type thing but I’ve done it with no issue.
If I make this up as a gift, can it be frozen before you bake it? It may be up to a week before it is baked?
Hey Lynn! Good question – unfortunately I haven’t tried it so I can’t speak to how it would work! My only concern is that the texture of the dip may become a bit grainy after being frozen and then thawed or frozen and then baked. You can however make it a few days in advance and store it in the fridge! Sorry I couldn’t be of more help – I’d love to hear how it turns out if you try it!