This Trader Joe’s Spinach Dip Recipe is a creamy and cheesy recipe, which is made with fresh spinach and cream cheese. It’s a great choice for holiday parties, ready in about 35 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Spinach Dip Recipe Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 10 ounces fresh spinach leaves
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided use
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- bread, crackers and vegetables for serving
- cooking spray
How To Make Trader Joe’s Spinach Dip
- Prep the Spinach: Steam or sauté the fresh spinach until it is completely wilted. Allow it to cool for a few minutes, then place it in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and wring out all the excess water. Coarsely chop the spinach.
- Mix the Dip: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly coat a small baking dish or oven-safe skillet with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, chopped spinach, garlic, salt, pepper, parmesan cheese, and 3/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Assemble for Baking: Spread the spinach mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining 3/4 cup of mozzarella cheese.
- Bake and Broil: Bake for 20 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbly and the cheese is melted. For a browned top, turn the oven to broil and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching carefully until the cheese starts to brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately with your favorite bread, crackers, and fresh vegetables for dipping.
Recipe Tips
- How do I get the dip to be thick and not watery? The most crucial step is to squeeze as much water as physically possible out of the cooked spinach. Any water left behind will make the dip runny as it bakes.
- Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh? Yes. Thaw a 10-ounce package of frozen chopped spinach completely, then follow the same step of wringing out every bit of excess water before adding it to the dip mixture.
- Can I make this dip ahead of time? Absolutely. You can assemble the entire dip in the baking dish (without the top layer of mozzarella), cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, add the top layer of cheese and add 5-10 minutes to the initial baking time.
- How do I soften cream cheese quickly? If you forget to take your cream cheese out of the fridge, you can unwrap it, place it in a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave it in 15-second intervals until it’s soft enough to stir easily.
What To Serve With Spinach Dip
This creamy, cheesy dip is a crowd-pleaser and pairs well with a variety of dippers.
- Toasted baguette slices or crusty bread cubes.
- Pita chips or sturdy tortilla chips.
- A variety of crackers.
- Fresh vegetables like carrot sticks, celery sticks, bell pepper strips, and cucumber slices.
How To Store Spinach Dip
Refrigerate: Store any leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through.
Freeze: Freezing is not recommended as the cream cheese and sour cream can separate, resulting in a grainy texture when thawed.
Spinach Dip Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 194kcal
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Cholesterol: 54mg
- Sodium: 389mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes, for a tangier and slightly healthier version, you can substitute an equal amount of full-fat plain Greek yogurt for the sour cream.
This can sometimes happen if the cheeses are overcooked or if you use lower-fat versions of cream cheese or sour cream, which can separate when heated. Using full-fat ingredients and baking just until bubbly usually prevents this.
Yes. Mix all ingredients (except for half the mozzarella) together and place in a small slow cooker. Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. Top with the remaining mozzarella during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Try More Recipes:
- Trader Joe’s Rosemary Nuts Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Pork Tenderloin Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Pepper Jelly Recipe
Trader Joe’s Spinach Dip Recipe
Course: AppetizersCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings10
minutes25
minutes194
kcalA classic, creamy, and incredibly cheesy baked spinach dip that’s easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser, perfect for parties and game days.
Ingredients
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
10 oz fresh spinach
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided
1 tbsp fresh parsley
Salt and pepper
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Wilt the spinach, let it cool, and squeeze out all excess water.
- In a bowl, mix the chopped spinach with cream cheese, sour cream, garlic, parmesan, and half of the mozzarella.
- Season the mixture with salt and pepper.
- Spread the mixture into a small, greased baking dish.
- Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes until bubbly, then broil for 2-3 minutes to brown the top.
- Garnish with parsley and serve hot with bread, crackers, or veggies.
Notes
- Squeeze That Spinach: This is the most important step! Any leftover water will make your dip watery. Squeeze, and then squeeze again.
- Use Softened Cream Cheese: Using room temperature cream cheese makes mixing the dip incredibly easy and prevents lumps.
- Watch the Broiler: The broiler works very fast. Stay by the oven and watch carefully to ensure the cheesy top gets beautifully browned without burning.
- Fresh Parmesan: For the best flavor and melting quality, grate your own parmesan cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded.
