Get ready for a cheesy, bubbling hot spinach dip that is packed with fresh greens, melty cheese, and big flavor. It will vanish before you know it!
Must Make Dip for Your Next Party
- Flavor: Savory and rich, this dip is a warm blend of garlic, gentle heat, and creamy cheese with a fresh finish from the spinach.
- Skill Level: Easy enough for any home cook, but impressive enough for entertaining.
- Tools: A large pot for cooking the spinach, a colander for draining the spinach, and a casserole dish for baking and serving.
- Serving Suggestions: The first time I served this at a party, the dish was scraped clean before halftime. Even the crumbs were gone. I always set out crostini and baguette slices, crackers, plus a backup bag of sturdy chips. It is also delicious with celery stalks, carrot sticks, zucchini, and cucumber rounds
Best Ingredient Picks
- Spinach: Fresh spinach will give the dip a brighter flavor. It is best to chop before adding it to the dip. Frozen spinach works great, just make sure to drain it, so the dip doesn’t become watery.
- Cream Cheese: Full-fat cream cheese gives the smoothest texture. Cut it into cubes so it melts quickly and evenly without lumps, and let it come to room temperature before adding it to the dip.
- Cheese: Shred your own mozzarella. This will give the best melt. Pre-shredded can be a bit less creamy and doesn’t melt as well. Use freshly shredded Parmesan. This can be swapped with more mozzarella if needed.
What To Add To Hot Spinach Dip
While hot spinach dip is delicious as is, why not add in ingredients for more flavor and texture! Add in some chopped artichokes for extra crunch, salty bacon bits, spicy jalapeños, black olives, toasted almonds, or diced green chiles. Or give it a party upgrade by stirring in some shredded chicken, crabmeat, or small cocktail shrimp.
What To Dip In Hot Spinach Dip
Pair thick spinach dip with something sturdy like crostinis, toasted bread, or even sourdough crackers. Fresh veggies like celery, carrot sticks, zucchini, and cucumber rounds also make great dippers. For a fun twist, scoop the dip into mushroom caps, top with extra Parmesan, and broil for a few minutes for a creative appetizer. You can also serve hot spinach dip in a sourdough bread bowl—just scoop the bread to use for dipping.
How to Make Hot Spinach Dip
- Sauté onion and garlic. Add spinach and cook.
- Remove the spinach and press out the extra moisture.
- Whisk in milk and cream cheese into the saute pan.
- Add the spinach and other ingredients.
- Top with more mozzarella, and bake (full recipe below).
Smart Tips
- Assemble ahead of time, cover and refrigerate up to 3 days, then let it sit out about 1 hour before baking.
- Serve in a small slow cooker on warm or in a fondue pot for easy scooping.
- If dip gets too thick, stir in a splash of warm milk right before serving.
Storing and Reheating
Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm in the oven (covered, then uncovered at the end) or microwave in short bursts, stirring in between. This dip does not freeze well.
Dip Board Night
Did you enjoy this Hot Spinach Dip recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.
Hot Spinach Dip
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 pounds spinach cleaned, trimmed, and coarsely chopped
- ½ cup milk
- 6 ounces cream cheese
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon hot sauce buffalo or Tabasco
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- ¼ cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese or use additional mozzarella
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly grease or oil a ½ quart casserole dish and set aside.
- In a large pot, add oil, onion, and garlic and cook over medium heat until translucent, 4-5 minutes.
- Add half of spinach, and wilt slightly. Add remaining spinach and cook until completely wilted, about 5 -8 minutes. Pour into colander, pressing spinach mixture to drain well. Set spinach mixture aside.
- Add milk and cream cheese to the same pot and heat on medium, whisking until cheese is melted (about 3 minutes). Stir in spinach mixture, Worcestershire, hot sauce, parmesan, and ¼ cup of mozzarella.
- Add spinach dip mixture to casserole dish and sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup mozzarella. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and bubbling.
- Serve with crostini, baguette or crackers.
Notes
- To prepare ahead, simply follow all instructions except baking. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Rest for one hour at room temperature before baking as directed.
- To use frozen spinach, defrost and drain two 10 ounce packages of frozen spinach. Add in place of fresh spinach and follow remaining instructions.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
©Our Zesty Life. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Like our recipes?
Follow us on Pinterest!
PIN this Hot Spinach Dip recipe
Very slightly adapted from Martha Stewart
