Creamy Baked Spinach and Cheese Dip
Indulge in this rich and creamy Baked Spinach and Cheese Dip, perfect for gatherings or cozy nights in. Fresh spinach combines with smooth cream cheese and mozzarella, enhanced by a hint of Worcestershire and hot sauce for a flavor punch. Serve it warm with slices of crispy baguette for a delightful appetizer that everyone will love. Quick to prepare and sure to impress, this dip is a crowd-pleaser at parties, game days, or family dinners.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
2 teaspoons (plus more for greasing the baking dish)
medium onion
1 (diced)
garlic cloves
4 (minced)
spinach
2 lbs (cleaned, trimmed, and coarsely chopped)
milk
1/2 cup (warmed)
reduced-fat cream cheese
8 ounces
Worcestershire sauce
4 dashes
hot sauce
6 dashes (such as Tabasco)
shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup (divided into 1/2 cup for mixing and 1/2 cup for topping)
coarse salt and pepper
to taste
baguette
as needed (sliced for serving)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly coat a 1 1/2-quart shallow baking dish with olive oil.
2
In a large pot over medium heat, add 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Once hot, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 5 to 8 minutes until the onions are translucent and slightly browned.
3
Gradually add the chopped spinach in two increments, allowing the first batch to wilt completely before adding the second. Continue cooking for another 5 to 8 minutes until all spinach is wilted. Transfer the spinach to a colander and press gently to remove excess liquid.
4
In the same pot, reduce the heat to high and warm the milk. Slowly whisk in the reduced-fat cream cheese until it melts completely (about 3 minutes).
5
Stir in the wilted spinach, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese until combined. Season generously with coarse salt and pepper to taste.
6
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese on top.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the dip is bubbly and golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
8
Serve warm with slices of freshly baked baguette.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Baked Spinach and Cheese Dip?
It is a rich and creamy appetizer made with fresh spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella, flavored with Worcestershire and hot sauce.
What temperature should I preheat the oven to?
You should preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit or 220 degrees Celsius.
What size baking dish is needed?
A 1 1/2-quart shallow baking dish is recommended for this recipe.
How do I prepare the baking dish?
Lightly coat the baking dish with olive oil before adding the dip mixture.
How long should I sauté the onion and garlic?
Sauté the diced onion and minced garlic for 5 to 8 minutes until the onions are translucent.
How is the spinach added to the pot?
Add the chopped spinach gradually in two increments, allowing the first batch to wilt before adding the second.
How long does the spinach take to wilt?
It takes approximately 5 to 8 minutes for all the spinach to wilt completely.
What should I do after the spinach is wilted?
Transfer the spinach to a colander and press gently to remove any excess liquid.
Why must I press the spinach in a colander?
Pressing the spinach removes excess moisture, preventing the dip from becoming too watery.
How do I melt the cream cheese?
Warm the milk in a pot over high heat and slowly whisk in the cream cheese until it melts.
What type of cream cheese is used?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of reduced-fat cream cheese.
How long does it take for the cream cheese to melt?
It typically takes about 3 minutes for the cream cheese to melt completely into the milk.
When do I add the Worcestershire and hot sauce?
Stir these sauces in along with the wilted spinach and the first portion of mozzarella cheese.
How much mozzarella goes inside the dip mixture?
Use 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese to stir directly into the dip mixture.
How much mozzarella is used for the topping?
The remaining 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese is sprinkled on top before baking.
What is the total amount of mozzarella required?
A total of 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese is needed for the entire recipe.
How long should the dip be baked?
The dip should be baked in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes.
What are the signs that the dip is finished baking?
The dip is done when it is bubbly and the cheese on top has turned golden brown.
Should I serve the dip immediately after baking?
It is best to let the dip cool slightly before serving, though it should still be served warm.
What is the recommended serving accompaniment?
Serve the warm dip with slices of freshly baked baguette.
How much spinach is needed for this recipe?
You will need 2 pounds of cleaned, trimmed, and coarsely chopped fresh spinach.
How many garlic cloves are in the recipe?
The recipe requires 4 cloves of minced garlic.
What type of hot sauce is suggested?
The recipe suggests using a hot sauce such as Tabasco.
How much milk is required?
You will need 1/2 cup of milk for the base of the dip.
Is the milk added cold or warm?
The milk should be warmed in the pot before whisking in the cream cheese.
What seasonings are used?
The dip is seasoned with coarse salt and pepper to taste.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this is a vegetarian recipe as it contains no meat.
Can I use this for a game day snack?
Yes, this dip is an excellent choice for game days, parties, or family dinners.
What is the texture of the dip?
The texture is described as rich, smooth, and creamy with bits of wilted spinach throughout.
Is the onion diced or sliced?
The medium onion should be diced for this recipe.