Hot, cheesy, and ridiculously easy, this spinach and artichoke dip is the kind of appetizer that disappears before halftime. Fresh spinach, tender artichoke hearts, and a creamy base of melty cheese bake up into a golden dip that’s perfect with chips, crostini, or pita. And since it skips the mayo, even your pickiest guests will be all in.

A hand dips a piece of bread into an easy spinach artichoke dip in a white casserole dish. The dip is creamy with a golden, slightly browned top—perfect for sharing at any gathering.

This Spinach and Artichoke Dip Recipe is perfect for game day!

Every time I set out a pan of hot spinach and artichoke dip, it’s gone before I can even refill the chip bowl. There’s something about bubbling cheese, tender spinach, and those meaty little artichoke hearts that pulls people. And I’ll be honest, this version is one of my favorites because it skips the mayo. Nothing against mayonnaise lovers, but I’ve learned not everyone’s a fan, and this dip doesn’t need it

This dip is great on its own, but I like setting out a little lineup of snacks for a mixture of flavors and textures. Try including a sweet and savory salsa and a party dip with pickles and I always add some oven baked chex mix.

Basketball, Bites, and a Little Rivalry

March Madness is serious business around here. In North Carolina, most people are glued to their TVs with a plate of snacks in hand. I grew up in Kentucky, so I’m always rooting for the Wildcats, but my neighbors are split between Duke and Carolina, and things get heated fast. Good thing food keeps us civil. You can’t get too mad when there’s melty cheese involved.

A blue plate holds two toasted bread slices topped with easy spinach artichoke dip. A knife with some dip rests next to them. In the background, a bowl of dip and a plate of toasted bread slices are visible.

Why I Think This Dip’s Better

Here’s the deal. A lot of spinach artichoke dips are heavy, kind of bland, or they taste like mayonnaise. Not this one. I cook down baby spinach with garlic and a shallot before mixing it into the creamy base, which adds way more depth than just stirring in raw greens. And then there’s the little sprinkle of red pepper flakes, just enough kick to keep you coming back for one more bite, then another. It’s dangerous, honestly.

It’s also forgiving. You can prep it ahead, put it into the fridge, then slide it in the oven when friends show up. It even holds up if it cools to room temp, which is a miracle for any party dip.

Hot Artichoke Spinach Dip ingredients

Assorted ingredients for an easy spinach artichoke dip on a countertop, featuring fresh spinach, garlic, shallot, canned artichoke hearts, cream cheese, sour cream, and three cheeses: parmesan, fontina, and gruyère.

You only need a few basics to pull this together:

Fresh baby spinach sautéed with garlic
Chopped canned artichoke hearts (not marinated!)
Cream cheese to make it all silky smooth

That’s it. The rest is just cheese and flavor boosters. Peek at the recipe card for the full rundown.

How to Pull It Off

Step 1: Soften the spinach

Sautéed spinach with garlic and onions in a dark skillet, perfect as a base for an easy spinach artichoke dip, with a wooden spatula resting on the side of the pan. — Saute the spinach with garlic and shallots.

Step 2: Mix it all together

A clear glass bowl with a creamy, white cheese mixture for easy spinach artichoke dip is being stirred by a wooden spoon, set on a textured blue-gray surface. — Combine cream cheese and sour cream.

A glass bowl filled with an easy spinach artichoke dip sits on a blue surface, its creamy spinach and cheese mixture inviting. A wooden spoon coated in the dip rests inside the bowl. — Add spinach.

A glass bowl containing easy spinach artichoke dip—chopped artichokes and creamy spinach mixture being stirred with a wooden spatula—set on a blue surface. — Stir in artichokes.

Step 3: Assemble and bake

A white oval baking dish filled with easy spinach artichoke dip, featuring creamy layers with visible bits of leafy spinach and artichoke pieces, set on a textured blue surface. — Place in a casserole dish.

An easy spinach artichoke dip baked to perfection, topped with golden, melted cheese in a white casserole dish and served alongside a plate of seasoned toasted bread slices. — Top with cheese and bake.

Serve it with toasted baguette slices, pita chips, or crackers, the sturdier the better.

If you loved this recipe, give it a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating! Also, snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #butterandbaggage and tagging me @butterandbaggage.