Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Delight

🕒 Prep: 10 min
🔥 Cook: 25 min
🍽 Serves: 8
★★★★★
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Welcome to a crowd-pleaser that brings comfort and flavor in every bite: Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Delight. This dish combines creamy textures with fresh, zesty notes to create a delectable appetizer or snack. Perfect for any gathering or a cozy night in!

Ingredients for Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Delight

Olive oil serves as the base for sautéing, providing a subtle richness. Garlic adds a fragrant kick, enhancing the overall flavor. Spinach, when wilted, brings a fresh and earthy component, while the marinated artichoke hearts add a tangy and slightly nutty flavor. Cream cheese, softened for easy mixing, provides a creamy base. Sour cream and mayonnaise work together to add tanginess and smoothness. Mozzarella cheese offers a gooey texture, and Parmesan cheese lends a salty, aged flavor. Salt and black pepper are essential for seasoning, and lemon zest adds a bright, citrusy finish.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use fresh spinach for the best flavor, but frozen can work in a pinch. Just thaw and drain it well first.
  • For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the cream mixture.
  • Make it ahead of time! Prepare the dish up to the baking step and refrigerate. Bake just before serving.

Serving Suggestions

This dip is perfect with slices of crusty bread, crunchy pita chips, or fresh veggie sticks. For an extra indulgent twist, serve it in a bread bowl — it makes a fun presentation and adds an extra layer of flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh artichokes instead of marinated ones?
Yes, but you'll need to cook them first and season them to taste, as marinated artichokes come pre-flavored.
Is there a way to make this dip lighter?
You can substitute low-fat cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise to reduce the calorie count.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Delight Recipe Walkthrough

Preheat your oven to 350°F. This ensures that it's ready once your mixture is prepped. In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once warm, add the garlic and sauté until it becomes fragrant but not browned — about 1 minute should do it.

Add the spinach to the skillet and cook until it's wilted down. This usually takes around 2-3 minutes. Stir in the artichoke hearts until they're heated through, then remove the skillet from the heat.

In a large mixing bowl, blend together the cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise until smooth. You can use a hand mixer for this to make it easier. Fold in the mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and lemon zest until everything is well incorporated.

Now, gently fold in the spinach and artichoke mixture into the creamy cheese blend. Make sure everything is evenly combined. Transfer this mixture into a baking dish, spreading it out with a spatula to ensure even cooking.

Bake in your preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly. Once done, let it cool slightly before serving.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy to prepare, with minimal cleanup.
  • Rich, creamy texture with a satisfying depth of flavor.
  • A delightful blend of fresh vegetables and cheesy goodness.
  • Perfect for parties or as a warm appetizer for family meals.

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp lemon zest

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté garlic until fragrant.
3. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
4. Stir in artichoke hearts and remove from heat.
5. In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise until smooth.
6. Fold in mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and lemon zest.
7. Add the spinach and artichoke mixture and combine well.
8. Transfer to a baking dish and bake for 25 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
9. Serve warm with bread or crackers.

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