Cheese Choice For Spinach Artichoke Dip Perfection

Spinach artichoke dip is a tasty treat, but what kind of cheese should you use? The answer may vary depending on your personal preference, but some common cheeses used in this dish include cream cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, and romano. You can also experiment with other cheeses like provolone, asiago, fontina, or pepperjack. For a lighter option, consider substituting Greek yogurt for sour cream and using low-fat cream cheese. Whatever cheese you choose, your spinach artichoke dip is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Mozzarella, Parmesan, and Romano

Mozzarella is a key ingredient in achieving that desirable, bubbly, golden crust. Its low-moisture variety is said to have a saltier flavour, better browning, and superior meltability, resulting in more cheese strings. Parmesan and Pecorino Romano lend a tangy and nutty flavour to the dip, while also enhancing the overall saltiness. The sharpness of Pecorino Romano adds an extra punch of flavour.

When preparing this dip, it is important to ensure that the cream cheese is softened to achieve a smooth and well-incorporated mixture. Additionally, squeezing out the excess liquid from the spinach is crucial to preventing a runny consistency.

This spinach and artichoke dip is best served warm and melty, accompanied by tortilla chips, crackers, bread, or vegetables. It can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to be baked.

Sour cream, mayo, and cream cheese

This delicious, creamy, and cheesy spinach artichoke dip is the perfect party appetizer and a crowd favourite. It is easy to make and can be prepared in advance.

Ingredients:

• Sour cream: 1/2 cup
• Mayo: 1/2 cup
• Cream cheese: 8 oz, softened at room temperature
• Parmesan cheese: 1/3 to 3/4 cup, grated or shredded
• Mozzarella cheese: 1/4 to 1/2 cup, shredded
• Garlic: 1 clove, peeled and minced
• Artichoke hearts: 14 oz can, drained and chopped
• Spinach: 6 oz, frozen, chopped, thawed, and drained
• Spices and seasonings: dried basil, garlic salt, salt, and pepper

Optional Ingredients:

• Greek yogurt: as a substitute for sour cream
• Low-fat cream cheese: for a lighter version
• Romano cheese: grated, 1/4 cup

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Grease a small baking dish (1-quart or 2-quart) with cooking spray or oil.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic, parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, and pepper. Mix until well blended.
• Gently stir in the drained artichoke hearts and spinach.
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
• Top the dip with shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, until bubbly and lightly browned.
• Serve hot with tortilla chips, crackers, pita bread, crostini, or vegetables.

Tips:

• It is important to use softened cream cheese to ensure it mixes well with the other ingredients.
• Squeeze out excess moisture from the spinach to prevent the dip from becoming runny.
• The dip can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to two days before baking.
• To reheat, microwave small portions or bake in the oven until heated through.

Spinach and artichoke prep

Ingredients

The ingredients you will need for your spinach and artichoke dip include:

• Cream cheese
• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Parmesan cheese
• Romano cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Garlic
• Basil
• Artichoke hearts
• Spinach
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil
• Flour
• Milk
• Feta
• Cayenne

Step-by-Step Guide

• Mix the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, Mozzarella cheese, garlic, and pepper in a medium bowl until well combined.
• Drain and chop the artichoke hearts, removing any tough outer leaves. Squeeze out the excess liquid.
• Thaw and drain the spinach, removing as much moisture as possible to prevent a runny dip.
• Gently stir the artichoke hearts and spinach into the cream cheese mixture.
• Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish.
• Top the dip with shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Bake in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until bubbly and lightly browned, which should take around 25 minutes.
• For an extra crispy and browned top, place the dip under the broiler for a few minutes, watching closely.
• Serve hot with tortilla chips, crackers, pita bread, crostini, or vegetables.

Tips

• It is important to use softened cream cheese to ensure it incorporates well into the mixture.
• Mix all the ingredients, except the spinach and artichokes, first to get a well-blended cream cheese mixture before adding the veggies.
• You can make this dip in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to two days before baking.
• If baking from chilled, add 5-10 minutes to the total baking time.
• To make crostini, slice a baguette into 1/2-inch pieces, brush with olive oil, and bake until golden brown.
• You can use fresh spinach instead of frozen. Steam it, blanch it in ice water, and then squeeze out the excess liquid before chopping.

Blending and baking

The blending and baking stage of making spinach artichoke dip is where all the ingredients come together to create a delicious, warm, and cheesy dish. Here is a detailed guide on how to blend and bake your spinach artichoke dip to perfection.

Blending

Before blending, ensure that your cream cheese is softened at room temperature. This is crucial as it will allow the cream cheese to incorporate well with the other ingredients. Start by mixing the cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic, and your chosen cheeses in a medium-sized bowl. You can use an electric mixer, a hand mixer, or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment for this step. Ensure that these ingredients are well combined before moving on to the next step.

Next, add the artichoke hearts and spinach to the mixture. If you are using frozen spinach, be sure to thaw and drain it thoroughly to remove excess liquid. You can do this by squeezing it with your hands, using a potato ricer, or wrapping it in paper towels to wring out the liquid. Freshly cooked spinach is recommended for the best flavour and texture, but frozen spinach can be used in a pinch. Chop the spinach and artichoke hearts into small pieces before adding them to the mixture.

At this stage, you can also add in any extra ingredients you desire, such as cooked bacon, Italian sausage, shredded chicken, shrimp, crab, sautéed onions, roasted red peppers, or cooked mushrooms. These additions can take your dip to the next level and make it even more indulgent.

Use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to gently stir the artichoke hearts and spinach into the cream cheese mixture until everything is well combined. Be careful not to overmix, as you want to avoid breaking down the artichoke hearts and spinach too much.

Baking

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a small baking dish (around 8x8 inches or a little smaller) with cooking spray, butter, or oil. You can also use a glass pie dish or a skillet if you prefer.

Spread the dip mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Top the dip with a generous layer of shredded cheese, such as mozzarella. This extra cheese on top will melt and turn golden brown, creating a delicious crust.

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes. Keep an eye on the dip, and remove it from the oven when it is heated through, bubbly, and the cheese is melted. If you want to add some extra colour to the top of your dip, you can place it under the broiler for an additional 2-3 minutes, but be sure to watch it closely as it can brown quickly.

Your spinach artichoke dip is now ready to be served! Serve it hot with your choice of dippers, such as tortilla chips, crackers, toasted baguette slices, crostini, pretzel chips, fresh vegetables, pita chips, or breadsticks. Enjoy the warm, cheesy goodness!

Serving suggestions

Spinach artichoke dip is a great dish to serve at parties, game nights, or any other get-togethers. It is a crowd-pleaser and tends to disappear quickly! Here are some suggestions on how to serve it:

Dipping Options

This hearty dip goes well with a variety of dippers. Here are some options:

• Bread: Toasted baguette slices (crostini), bread cubes, pita chips, or plain bread.
• Crackers: Neutral-flavoured crackers, pretzel crackers, or whole wheat pita chips.
• Chips: Tortilla chips, pita chips, or sturdy ridge-cut potato chips.
• Vegetables: Carrots, cucumbers, celery, or bell peppers.

Presentation Ideas

• Individual servings: Spoon small portions of the dip into mini bowls or shot glasses, and provide a variety of dippers for your guests to choose from.
• Bread bowl: Hollow out a round loaf of bread, fill it with the dip, and place the bread you removed from the centre around the bowl for dipping.
• Crostini bar: Surround the dip with an assortment of crostini (toasted baguette slices) and toppings such as chopped tomatoes, olives, or fresh herbs.
• As a side: Serve the dip as a side dish alongside a main course, such as grilled chicken or fish.

Customization

Spinach artichoke dip is a versatile dish that can be customized to your taste. Here are some ideas:

• Meat: Add cooked and crumbled bacon, Italian sausage, shredded chicken, shrimp, or crab.
• Vegetables: Include sautéed onions, roasted red peppers, or cooked mushrooms.
• Flavourings: Sun-dried tomatoes, crushed red pepper flakes, hot sauce, chopped olives, fresh herbs such as dill or basil, or a topping of buttered breadcrumbs.
• Alternative dips: If you don't have sour cream, you can use mayonnaise or Greek yoghurt instead.

Frequently asked questions