Crowd-Pleaser Ina Garten Warm Spinach & Artichoke Dip Recipe

Warm spinach & artichoke dip transforms ordinary gatherings into memorable culinary experiences.

Creamy textures merge with robust vegetable flavors, creating an irresistible appetizer for social moments.

Sophisticated yet unpretentious, this classic comfort food brings people together around shared plates.

Melted cheeses blend seamlessly with tender vegetables, producing a rich and indulgent sensation.

Soft bread becomes the perfect vehicle for scooping up every delectable bite.

Home cooks appreciate how simple ingredients can elevate a standard recipe into something extraordinary.

The magic happens when classic techniques meet fresh, quality components: get ready to impress.

Why Spinach & Artichoke Dip Is Always a Hit

• Savor Creamy Comfort: This warm spinach and artichoke dip delivers rich, velvety textures that melt in your mouth, creating an irresistibly smooth and indulgent experience perfect for satisfying comfort food cravings.
• Elevate Party Appetizers: The recipe transforms classic ingredients into a crowd-pleasing dish that instantly upgrades any gathering, making it a go-to option for game nights, holiday parties, or casual get-togethers with friends and family.
• Master Caramelized Flavor Technique: Ina Garten's method of slowly sautéing onions brings out deep, sweet, and complex flavors that add extraordinary depth to the traditional dip, elevating it from ordinary to extraordinary with minimal extra effort.
• Quick and Easy Gourmet Preparation: Despite its impressive taste, the recipe requires straightforward steps and takes less than an hour to prepare, making it accessible for home cooks of all skill levels who want to create a restaurant-quality appetizer without complicated techniques.

Everything You’ll Need for a Warm, Creamy Dip

• Cream Cheese: Smooth and rich base for the dip, provides creamy texture.
• Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and helps create a smooth consistency.
• Mayonnaise: Enhances creaminess and contributes to rich flavor.

• Onions: Sweet and caramelized, provides deep flavor foundation.
• Artichoke Hearts: Tender and slightly tangy vegetable, adds interesting texture.
• Spinach: Nutritious green that brings color and earthy flavor to the dip.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that boosts overall taste profile.

• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp and salty cheese that adds depth and creates golden brown topping.
• Butter: Helps with caramelizing onions and adds richness.
• Olive Oil: Prevents butter from burning during onion sautéing.
• Cayenne Pepper: Provides subtle heat and complexity.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing flavors.

How to Cook Ina’s Spinach & Artichoke Dip

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 400°F (200°C) and get ready for deliciousness.

Step 2: Caramelize Onion Magic

• Slice onions into delicate half-rounds
• Heat butter and oil in a large skillet
• Add onions with cayenne, salt, and pepper
• Sauté on medium heat for 10 minutes
• Reduce heat and cook for additional 20 minutes until golden brown
• Toss in minced garlic and cook for one final minute

Step 3: Whip Creamy Base

• Cream cheese
• Sour cream
• Mayonnaise

Blend until silky smooth

Step 4: Prepare Vegetable Stars

• Gently squeeze excess liquid from artichoke hearts
• Roughly chop artichoke hearts
• Squeeze liquid from spinach
• Add both to creamy mixture

Step 5: Merge Flavor Layers

• Fold caramelized onion mixture into cream cheese blend
• Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese
• Season with salt and pepper
• Stir until perfectly combined

Step 6: Arrange In Baking Dish

Transfer mixture to an oval baking dish

Generously top with remaining Parmesan cheese

Step 7: Bake And Celebrate

Bake for 20-25 minutes until edges turn golden and bubbly

Serve piping hot with crispy toasted baguette slices

Tips for Getting That Gooey, Savory Texture

• Maximize Onion Flavor: Slowly caramelize onions over low heat to develop deep, sweet notes that elevate the entire dip's taste profile.
• Prevent Watery Consistency: Thoroughly drain spinach and artichokes by pressing out excess moisture with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to ensure a thick, creamy texture.
• Achieve Smooth Blending: Allow cream cheese to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing, which helps it incorporate seamlessly with other ingredients.
• Preserve Ingredient Integrity: Fold ingredients gently to maintain chunky artichoke and spinach pieces, creating delightful texture variations in each bite.
• Create Perfect Golden Crust: Watch the dip closely during baking, aiming for bubbling edges and a beautiful golden-brown top that signals it's perfectly cooked and ready to serve.

How to Store Dip Without Drying It Out

• Preserve Flavors Perfectly: Transfer the dip to a vacuum-sealed container to maintain its creamy texture and prevent freezer burn. This method locks in the delicate blend of spinach and artichoke, ensuring maximum taste preservation when you're ready to enjoy it later.
• Freeze with Finesse: Pour the cooled dip into individual portion-sized freezer-safe containers for easy reheating. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent ice crystals and flavor loss. Label each container with the date to track freshness, keeping the dip quality top-notch for up to 2 months.
• Revive Like a Pro: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for the best texture restoration. When reheating, add a splash of heavy cream or milk to restore the dip's original silky consistency.

Try These Flavor Twists in Your Dip

• Seafood Spinach Sensation: Enhance the dip by adding chopped cooked shrimp or crab meat for a luxurious maritime flavor profile that elevates the classic recipe.
• Spicy Southwestern Spin: Incorporate diced green chiles, jalapeños, and a blend of Mexican cheese to transform the dip into a zesty, heat-packed appetizer with a southwestern kick.
• Mediterranean Herbed Version: Mix in crumbled feta cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh herbs like oregano and basil to create a Mediterranean-inspired interpretation that brings bright, tangy notes to the original recipe.
• Protein-Packed Vegan Alternative: Replace dairy ingredients with cashew cream, nutritional yeast, and plant-based cream cheese, then fold in roasted cauliflower and white beans for a protein-rich, dairy-free version that maintains the creamy texture and rich flavor.

Dip Wrap-Up with Extra Warmth

Culinary wizards, meet Ina Garten’s ultimate spinach and artichoke dip – pure comfort on a spoon.

Mediterranean ingredients mingle with classic American cheese traditions, creating an irresistible appetizer sensation.

Caramelized onions whisper deep, rich flavors while creamy textures embrace each luxurious bite.

Parmesan’s salty notes dance alongside smooth cream cheese, elevating this classic party starter.

Warm, inviting aromas promise delectable memories waiting to unfold.

When passion meets ingredients, magic happens – so grab those baguette slices, gather friends close, and let pure deliciousness spark conversation, connection, and culinary joy.

Snap that pic, share this recipe, and spread deliciousness far and wide!

Ina Garten Warm Spinach & Artichoke Dip Recipe

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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s warm spinach and artichoke dip delivers creamy comfort with Mediterranean flair. Mediterranean herbs and tangy cheeses meld perfectly, creating an irresistible appetizer guests will devour at first bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables:

• 2 large yellow onions
• 1 (9 oz / 255g) package frozen artichoke hearts, defrosted
• 1 (10 oz / 285g) package frozen chopped spinach, defrosted
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)

Dairy and Cheese:

• 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter
• 4 ounces (115g) cream cheese, room temperature
• ½ cup (120ml) sour cream
• ½ cup (120ml) good mayonnaise (such as Hellmann’s)
• 1¼ cups (120g) freshly grated Italian Parmesan cheese, divided

Oils, Spices, and Bread:

• ¼ cup (60ml) good olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 baguette, sliced diagonally ½ inch (1.25 cm) thick, toasted, for serving

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a toasty 400°F (200°C), ensuring an ideal baking environment for the upcoming culinary creation.
2. Transform onions into delicate half-rounds by slicing them precisely, yielding approximately of uniform pieces. In a generously sized 12-inch sauté pan, meld butter and oil over medium temperature. Introduce onions, cayenne, salt, and black pepper, allowing them to dance and soften for 10 minutes. Gently reduce heat to medium-low, continuing the caramelization process for an additional 20 minutes with occasional stirring. In the final moments, incorporate minced garlic and cook for one fleeting minute.
3. Utilize an electric mixer with paddle attachment to seamlessly blend cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
4. Carefully drain artichoke hearts, chopping them into rustic pieces before folding into the creamy mixture. Similarly handle spinach, removing excess moisture and integrating gently.
5. Marry the caramelized onion mixture with the cream cheese base. Incorporate of Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper, stirring until ingredients harmonize perfectly.
6. Transfer the luxurious blend into an 11 × 8 × 1½-inch (28 × 20 × 4 centimeters) oval baking dish, crowning the surface with remaining of Parmesan cheese.
7. Slide the dish into the preheated oven, allowing 20-25 minutes of transformative baking until edges turn golden and edges bubble enticingly. Serve immediately alongside crisp, toasted baguette slices for an irresistible appetizer experience.

Notes

• Elevate Flavor through Slow-Cooked Caramelization: Gently transform onions into a deep golden-brown treasure, releasing their natural sweetness and adding complex depth to every creamy bite.
• Master Moisture Control with Precise Draining: Ruthlessly squeeze every drop of excess liquid from spinach and artichokes, ensuring a thick, luxurious dip that won’t disappoint at your gathering.
• Unlock Smooth Blending with Temperature Precision: Allow cream cheese to relax at room temperature, guaranteeing a silky-smooth mixture that spreads like a dream and incorporates ingredients effortlessly.
• Preserve Textural Integrity with Delicate Handling: Fold ingredients with a light touch, respecting the delicate chunks of artichokes and spinach that provide delightful bursts of flavor in each spoonful.
• Create Irresistible Golden Perfection through Strategic Baking: Watch for those tempting golden edges and bubbling surfaces that signal a perfectly cooked dip, promising a crispy exterior and molten interior.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/6 of the recipe (about 1 cup)
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 680mg
• Fat: 23g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 10g
• Cholesterol: 60mg