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Homemade Espinaca Dip

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This easy, cheesy espinaca dip is a warm, gooey party appetizer loaded with fresh spinach, green chiles, and a trio of melty cheeses. Perfect for gatherings, game nights, or cozy snacking, it’s vegetarian, crowd-pleasing, and ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 oz fresh spinach, roughly chopped (or 6 oz frozen spinach, thawed and well-drained)
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup white cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup cottage cheese, small curd
  • 4 oz canned diced green chiles, drained
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • Optional: 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced
  • Optional: 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
  • Optional: 1/4 cup red bell pepper, finely diced

Instructions

  1. Rinse and roughly chop the spinach. If using frozen spinach, thaw and squeeze out excess water.
  2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Add spinach to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes until wilted and bright green. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  4. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, Monterey Jack, white cheddar, and cottage cheese. Blend until smooth using a hand mixer or spatula.
  5. Fold in the sautéed spinach mixture, green chiles, and any optional add-ins (jalapeño, red bell pepper, cilantro). Stir until evenly combined.
  6. Season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust as needed.
  7. Transfer mixture to a greased 1-quart baking dish or 8×8-inch pan. Smooth the top.
  8. Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, until hot and bubbly and edges begin to brown. For a golden top, broil for 2-3 minutes, watching closely.
  9. Let the dip rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with tortilla chips, pita wedges, or veggie sticks.

Notes

Drain spinach thoroughly to avoid a watery dip. Blend cottage cheese for extra creaminess. Grate your own cheese for best melting. For a crispy top, broil briefly after baking. Customize with jalapeño, cilantro, or bell pepper for extra flavor. Leftovers keep well and can be reheated or served chilled as a spread.

Nutrition

Keywords: espinaca dip, spinach dip, cheesy dip, party appetizer, vegetarian, Tex-Mex, easy dip, game night, crowd-pleaser, gluten-free

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/homemade-espinaca-dip-recipe-easy-cheesy-party-appetizer/