Description
Ina Garten’s warm spinach & artichoke dip delights palates with creamy, cheesy goodness. Garlicky undertones and crisp bread make this classic appetizer irresistible for gatherings you’ll want to share.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (10 oz / 285g) package frozen chopped spinach, defrosted
- 1 (9 oz / 255g) package frozen artichoke hearts, defrosted
- 4 oz (115g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1.25 cups (120g) freshly grated Italian Parmesan cheese, divided
- 2 large yellow onions
- 4 tbsps (60g) unsalted butter
- 0.5 cup (120ml) sour cream
- 0.5 cup (120ml) good mayonnaise (such as Hellmann’s)
- 0.25 cup (60ml) good olive oil
- 1 tbsp minced garlic (3 cloves)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 1 baguette, sliced diagonally 0.5 inch (1.25 cm) thick, toasted, for serving
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C), creating an optimal baking environment for the upcoming dip.
- Onion Transformation: Slice onions into half-rounds. In a 12-inch sauté pan, combine butter and oil over medium heat. Add onions, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Sauté for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to medium-low. Continue caramelizing for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. In the final minute, introduce minced garlic and cook briefly.
- Creamy Base: Using an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, blend cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise until smooth and uniform.
- Vegetable Integration: Drain and chop artichoke hearts. Prepare spinach by removing excess moisture. Gently fold both into the creamy mixture.
- Flavor Fusion: Combine caramelized onion mixture with the cream cheese base. Add Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Stir until ingredients are perfectly melded.
- Baking Preparation: Transfer the mixture to an 11 × 8 × 1½-inch oval baking dish. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Final Touch: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until edges turn golden and the surface becomes bubbly. Serve hot with toasted baguette slices for an irresistible appetizer.
Notes
- Caramelize Onions Slowly: Low and slow cooking develops deep, sweet flavor, transforming ordinary onions into a rich, golden delicacy that elevates the entire dip’s taste profile.
- Drain Ingredients Thoroughly: Excess moisture from artichokes and spinach can make the dip watery, so pat and squeeze ingredients completely dry before mixing to maintain a perfect, creamy consistency.
- Room Temperature Matters: Let cream cheese soften at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, lump-free blending and easier ingredient integration.
- Garnish and Serve Hot: Serve immediately after baking to enjoy the dip’s maximum flavor and ideal molten texture, with crispy golden edges and a warm, inviting appeal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 564mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 36mg