The holiday season is the perfect time to bring out comforting, crowd-pleasing appetizers, and this spinach dip Olive Garden recipe is one of the best you can make. Rich, creamy, and packed with cheesy goodness, this dip instantly upgrades any gathering with minimal effort.
Inspired by the famous olive garden spinach dip, this homemade version delivers the same restaurant-quality flavor right from your kitchen. It’s loaded with garlic, melty cheese, and hearty artichokes, making every bite completely irresistible.
If you’ve ever loved spinach artichoke dip Olive Garden style, you’ll be thrilled to know how easy this spinach dip recipe easy version is to prepare for parties, holidays, and family get-togethers.
Why You’ll Love Spinach Dip Olive Garden
The first time I made this olive garden spinach artichoke dip, I was honestly surprised by how simple it was to prepare. I always thought this was something only restaurants could perfect, but the flavors came together beautifully in my own kitchen.
What I love most about this artichoke spinach dip recipe is how creamy and garlicky it tastes after baking. The mozzarella and parmesan melt into the spinach mixture, creating that ooey-gooey texture I always crave.
Every time I serve this original spinach dip recipe, it disappears within minutes. Guests always ask for the recipe, and it has become my go-to appetizer for holidays and special occasions.
Ingredients Required for Spinach Dip Olive Garden Recipe
Before you start, make sure you have all the following ingredients listed below for this Spinach Dip Olive Garden Recipe
- 8 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed dry)
- 1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, chopped
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- Extra mozzarella and parmesan for topping
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowl
- Hand mixer or spoon
- Clean kitchen towel
- Baking dish or cast iron skillet
- Oven
Preparation and Cooking Time
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 20–25 minutes
Broiling time (optional): 1–2 minutes
Total time: About 40 minutes
Copycat Spinach Dip Olive Garden Recipe
Just follow these easy steps to make your own Spinach Dip Olive Garden at home
1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a baking dish or cast iron skillet to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare the Creamy Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Mix until the texture is smooth and creamy, then stir in the minced garlic.
3. Add Spinach and Artichokes: Make sure the frozen spinach is fully thawed and all excess moisture is squeezed out using a clean kitchen towel. Add the dry spinach and chopped marinated artichoke hearts to the bowl and mix well.
4. Mix in the Cheese: Fold in the shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese, making sure everything is evenly distributed throughout the creamy mixture.
5. Bake the Dip: Transfer the mixture into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle extra mozzarella and parmesan on top. Bake for 20–25 minutes until the dip is hot, bubbly, and melted.
6. Broil and Serve: For a golden, lightly crispy top, broil for 1–2 minutes. Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot with bread, crackers, or pita.
How to Store Spinach Dip Olive Garden Properly?
Store leftover spinach dip olive garden style dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm it in the oven at low heat or microwave in short intervals until creamy and hot again.
What to Pair and Serve with Spinach Dip Olive Garden
1. With toasted baguette slices
Honestly, this is our favorite way to enjoy it. We love slicing up a fresh baguette, lightly toasting it, and scooping up the warm, cheesy dip. The crunch of the bread with the creamy dip is unbeatable.
2. Paired with crispy pita chips
We often serve this dip with pita chips because they’re sturdy enough to handle all that cheesy goodness. It’s one of those combinations that disappears fast at gatherings.
3. Alongside buttery crackers
When we want a quick and easy pairing, we grab a box of buttery crackers. The salty crunch balances the rich, garlicky flavor of the dip perfectly.
4. With fresh veggie sticks
We love dipping carrot sticks, celery, and cucumber slices into this. It makes the experience feel a little lighter while still tasting incredibly indulgent.
5. Spread inside toasted sandwich bread
One time we spread the dip inside toasted sourdough, and it tasted like a gourmet grilled cheese. Now it’s something we make regularly for quick lunches.
6. Stuffed into warm tortillas
Rolling this dip into soft flour tortillas is surprisingly amazing. We’ve made little pinwheels with it, and they’re always a hit at parties.
7. Served over baked potato halves
We’ve topped baked potato halves with this dip, and it turned into a full comfort-food meal. The creamy texture works beautifully with fluffy potatoes.
8. As a topping for grilled chicken
Sometimes we spoon it over grilled chicken breasts. The cheesy, garlicky flavor makes plain chicken taste restaurant-worthy.
9. Mixed into hot pasta
We’ve stirred leftovers into hot pasta, and the result was a creamy, spinach-artichoke pasta dish that felt super fancy with almost no extra work.
10. Scooped with tortilla chips
Even though it’s not traditional, we’ve tried it with tortilla chips, and it was surprisingly addictive. The salty crunch and creamy dip combo is hard to put down.
My Personal Experience With this Recipe and Some Tips
1. Use soft cream cheese
Let it sit out first. Soft cheese is easy to mix.
2. Squeeze the spinach really well
Wet spinach makes the dip runny. Dry it as much as you can.
3. Chop the artichokes small
Small pieces mix better and taste good in every bite.
4. Use real cheese
Fresh mozzarella and parmesan melt better than pre-packaged cheese.
5. Mix everything really well
Make sure the cheese and veggies are spread out.
6. Don’t skip the garlic
Garlic makes the dip taste so good.
7. Use both sour cream and mayo
This makes the dip super creamy and smooth.
8. Add extra cheese on top
More cheese makes it bubbly and yummy.
9. Let it cool a little before eating
It will be very hot when it comes out of the oven.
10. Serve it warm
Warm dip tastes the best. Reheat if needed.
FAQs on Spinach Dip Olive Garden Recipe
Here are some common questions I’ve got you covered about the Spinach Dip Olive Garden Recipe.
1. Can I make this spinach dip ahead of time?
Yes, we’ve done this many times. We mix everything, cover it, and keep it in the fridge for up to a day. When guests arrive, we bake it fresh and it tastes amazing.
2. Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?
Yes, we’ve tried both. Fresh spinach works great, but we sauté it first and squeeze out all the water so the dip doesn’t get watery.
3. What can I use if I don’t like mayonnaise?
We’ve made it with all sour cream before, and it still turns out creamy. The mix of both just gives the best texture in our experience.
4. Can I make this dip without artichokes?
Yes, you can. We’ve made a spinach-only version before, and it’s still delicious, just a little lighter in flavor.
5. How do I keep my dip from getting watery?
We always make sure the spinach is super dry. That’s the biggest trick we’ve learned from making this many times.
6. Can I use different cheeses?
Absolutely. We’ve swapped mozzarella with cheddar or Monterey Jack, and it still melts beautifully and tastes great.
7. Can I cook this in the microwave instead of the oven?
We’ve tried it in a pinch. It heats up fine, but the oven gives that bubbly, golden top that we really love.
8. How long does this dip last in the fridge?
From our experience, it stays good for about 3 days when stored in an airtight container.
9. Can I freeze spinach artichoke dip?
Yes, we’ve frozen leftovers before. It reheats well, but it tastes best when baked fresh.
10. What should I serve this dip with?
We love it with toasted bread, crackers, pita chips, and fresh veggie sticks. It works with almost anything crunchy.
This creamy, cheesy spinach dip olive garden recipe is the ultimate appetizer for holidays, parties, or cozy nights in. It’s rich, garlicky, and incredibly easy to make, just like the restaurant favorite. If you love spinach artichoke dip Olive Garden style dishes, you’ll absolutely love this homemade version. Try it today and share it with your family and friends for unforgettable gatherings!
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