Description

This creamy and flavorful Espinaca Dip combines fresh sautéed spinach with rich cream cheese, sour cream, and Monterey Jack cheese, enhanced with garlic and spices. Perfect as a warm appetizer or party snack, this versatile dip can be served fresh or baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

2 cups fresh spinach (about 60g)
1 clove garlic, minced

Dairy

1 cup cream cheese (240g)
1 cup sour cream (240g)
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (100g)

Spices & Seasonings

1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Spinach: Wash the fresh spinach thoroughly and chop it coarsely. This ensures no dirt remains and eases the sautéing process.
Sauté the Spinach: Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add the chopped spinach, and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly to avoid curdling the dairy when combined.
Mix the Base: In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
Combine Spinach and Cheese Mixture: Add the sautéed spinach to the cheese mixture and gently fold until evenly distributed for consistent flavor in every bite.
Optional Baking: Transfer the dip to a baking dish if you prefer a warm baked dip. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the dip for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
Serving: If you prefer not to bake, serve the dip warm or at room temperature. It pairs beautifully with tortilla chips, pita bread, or fresh vegetables for dipping.

Notes

For a richer flavor, use full-fat dairy products.
You can substitute Monterey Jack cheese with mozzarella or cheddar for a different taste.
Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level.
For a low-fat option, use reduced-fat cream cheese and sour cream.
This dip can be prepared a few hours ahead and refrigerated; reheat before serving if baking.
Fresh spinach is recommended over frozen for best texture and flavor.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Sautéing and Baking (optional)
Cuisine: Mexican-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (approximately 130g)
Calories: 230 kcal
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 420 mg
Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 12 g
Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 4 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 6 g
Cholesterol: 55 mg

Keywords: spinach dip, espinaca dip, creamy spinach dip, appetizer, party dip, baked dip, Monterey Jack cheese, garlic spinach dip