If you’ve ever found yourself dreaming about Olive Garden’s famous spinach and artichoke dip long after leaving the restaurant, you’re not alone.
This copycat Olive Garden spinach dip recipe brings that irresistible creamy, cheesy appetizer right to your kitchen. With a perfect blend of cream cheese, artichoke hearts, and tender spinach all topped with golden melted mozzarella, this restaurant-style dip delivers the same addictive flavors you crave.
Whether you’re hosting game day, planning a party, or simply treating yourself to restaurant-quality comfort food, this Olive Garden spinach dip recipe is surprisingly easy to recreate and absolutely guaranteed to disappear within minutes.
What Does Olive Garden Spinach Dip Taste Like?
This copycat olive garden spinach dip recipe captures the signature rich and indulgent flavor profile that made the original so beloved.
The creamy base-a luxurious blend of cream cheese, mayonnaise, and parmesan-creates a velvety texture that coats your palate.
Tender spinach and meaty artichoke hearts add earthy depth and a subtle tang, while minced garlic, dried basil, and fresh parsley provide aromatic herbaceous notes throughout.
The shredded mozzarella on top bakes into a bubbly, golden-brown crust that adds a delightful textural contrast. Every bite delivers that perfect balance of creamy, savory, and slightly tangy flavors with just enough garlic to make it truly addictive.
Ingredients for Olive Garden Spinach Dip Recipe
Dairy & Base:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded fresh mozzarella cheese
Vegetables:
- 14 ounce can artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped
- 3/4 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained
Seasonings & Aromatics:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
Kitchen Utensils You’ll Need
- Large mixing bowl
- Oven-safe baking dish or cast-iron skillet
- Mixing spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Garlic press or knife for mincing
- Can opener
- Cheese grater (if using block cheese)
Preparation and Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Servings: 8-10 people
How to Make Olive Garden Spinach Dip
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (175℃) to ensure even baking temperature when your dip is ready.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the room temperature cream cheese, mayonnaise, shredded parmesan cheese, minced garlic, dried basil, and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients form a smooth, creamy base with no lumps of cream cheese remaining.
Step 3: Add the roughly chopped artichoke hearts, thoroughly drained spinach, and fresh chopped parsley to the creamy mixture. Stir everything together, making sure the vegetables are evenly distributed throughout the cheese base for consistent flavor in every bite.
Step 4: Transfer the prepared mixture to a greased oven-safe baking dish or cast-iron skillet, spreading it evenly to ensure uniform cooking and golden browning.
Step 5: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the dip, creating a complete layer that will melt into that signature bubbly, golden crust.
Step 6: Bake the olive garden spinach dip in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the dip is bubbly around the edges and the mozzarella cheese on top has melted and turned golden brown.
Step 7: Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the dip cool for 3-5 minutes before serving. This brief resting time allows the dip to set slightly, making it easier to scoop and preventing burnt tongues.
Step 8: Serve your copycat olive garden spinach dip warm with tortilla chips, crispy pita chips, toasted baguette slices, or fresh vegetable crudités for dipping.
Customization and Pairing Ideas for Your Spinach Artichoke Dip
1. Protein Power-Up: Transform this vegetarian appetizer into a heartier meal by mixing in 1 cup of shredded rotisserie chicken, crumbled cooked bacon, or lump crab meat before baking. This addition makes the dip substantial enough to serve as a light lunch when paired with a crisp side salad.
2. Spicy Kick Variation: Add heat to your copycat olive garden spinach dip recipe by incorporating 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or a few dashes of hot sauce into the cream cheese mixture. The spicy element cuts through the richness beautifully and appeals to those who love a little fire.
3. Mediterranean Twist: Enhance the artichoke flavor by adding 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, a tablespoon of capers, and substituting feta cheese for half the parmesan. This gives your dip a tangy, briny Mediterranean character that pairs wonderfully with pita bread.
4. Lighter Version: Create a guilt-free version by using reduced-fat cream cheese, Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, and increasing the spinach to 1 cup. You’ll maintain the creamy texture while cutting calories and adding extra nutrients and protein.
5. Bread Bowl Presentation: Hollow out a round sourdough loaf and fill it with your prepared dip before baking. The bread bowl not only serves as an edible serving vessel but also absorbs some of the delicious flavors, and guests can tear off pieces of the crusty bread for dipping.
6. Italian Cheese Blend: Elevate the cheese profile by using a combination of asiago, romano, and fontina cheeses alongside or instead of the parmesan and mozzarella. This creates a more complex, nuanced flavor reminiscent of high-end Italian restaurants.
7. Fresh Vegetable Dippers: While chips are traditional, serve your olive garden spinach dip with colorful fresh vegetables like bell pepper strips, celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, cucumber rounds, and baby carrots for a lighter, more nutritious pairing that doesn’t compete with the dip’s rich flavors.
Expert Tips for Perfect Spinach Artichoke Dip
1. Room Temperature is Critical: Always bring your cream cheese to room temperature before mixing-this typically takes 30-45 minutes on the counter. Cold cream cheese creates lumps that never fully incorporate, resulting in an uneven, grainy texture instead of the silky smooth consistency that makes this copycat olive garden spinach dip recipe so irresistible.
2. Squeeze, Squeeze, Squeeze: The most common mistake is not thoroughly draining the spinach. After thawing frozen spinach, place it in a clean kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels and squeeze firmly to remove every drop of excess moisture. Watery spinach will make your dip thin and soupy instead of thick and creamy.
3. Artichoke Preparation Matters: Don’t just drain your canned artichoke hearts-pat them completely dry with paper towels and chop them into bite-sized pieces. Whole or too-large pieces create uneven distribution, while excess liquid dilutes the creamy base and affects the baking consistency.
4. Fresh vs. Frozen Spinach: While this recipe uses frozen spinach for convenience, you can substitute with fresh spinach. You’ll need about 1 pound of fresh spinach, which should be sautéed until wilted, then cooled and thoroughly squeezed dry. Fresh spinach offers a slightly brighter flavor but requires more prep work.
5. The Golden Brown Test: Don’t rely solely on cooking time-every oven runs slightly differently. Your olive garden spinach dip is perfectly done when the edges are bubbling vigorously and the mozzarella on top has melted completely and developed golden-brown spots. Underbaking results in a cold center, while overbaking can make the dip oily and separated.
6. Make-Ahead Magic: You can prepare this dip up to 24 hours in advance. Mix all ingredients except the mozzarella topping, cover tightly, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, bring to room temperature for 20 minutes, add the mozzarella, and bake as directed, adding 5-10 extra minutes to the baking time if needed.
7. Serving Temperature Sweet Spot: While piping hot dip straight from the oven looks impressive, it’s actually too hot to taste properly and can burn mouths. Let your copycat olive garden spinach dip recipe rest for 5 minutes after baking-this allows flavors to settle and brings the temperature to that perfect warm-but-not-scalding sweet spot where the taste truly shines.
Storage and Reheating Your Spinach Dip
Store leftover olive garden spinach dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or warm the entire dish covered in a 325℉ oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through and bubbly again.
Common Questions About Olive Garden Spinach Dip Recipe
Here are some common questions I’ve got you covered about this recipe
Can I make this olive garden spinach dip in a slow cooker?
Yes! Combine all ingredients in your slow cooker, cook on low for 2-3 hours or high for 1-1.5 hours, stirring occasionally. Top with mozzarella during the last 15 minutes. This method keeps the dip warm throughout your entire party without overbaking.
Can I freeze spinach artichoke dip?
Absolutely. Prepare the dip but don’t bake it. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, bring to room temperature, then bake as directed, adding 5-10 extra minutes to ensure it’s heated through completely.
What can I substitute for mayonnaise in this recipe?
Sour cream or Greek yogurt work excellently as mayonnaise substitutes in this copycat olive garden spinach dip recipe. Both provide creaminess and tang, though Greek yogurt offers extra protein and a slightly tangier flavor profile. Use the same measurement as the original mayo amount.
Why is my spinach dip watery?
The culprit is almost always insufficiently drained spinach or artichokes. Both vegetables hold significant moisture that must be removed before mixing. Always squeeze thawed spinach in a kitchen towel until no more liquid comes out, and pat artichoke hearts completely dry with paper towels.
Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?
Definitely! You’ll need approximately 1 pound of fresh spinach leaves. Sauté them in a pan until completely wilted, let cool, then squeeze out all excess moisture using a kitchen towel. Fresh spinach provides a brighter, more vibrant flavor but requires additional prep time.
How do I prevent the dip from separating or becoming oily?
Separation typically occurs from overbaking or using low-fat dairy products. Bake just until bubbly and golden, use full-fat cream cheese and mayonnaise, and ensure all ingredients are properly incorporated before baking. Room temperature cream cheese also prevents separation during mixing.
What are the best dippers for this spinach artichoke dip?
Classic tortilla chips and toasted baguette slices are traditional favorites. For variety, try pita chips, crackers, pretzel crisps, bagel chips, fresh vegetables like bell peppers and celery, or even crispy wonton chips for an Asian-Italian fusion twist that surprises guests.
This copycat olive garden spinach dip recipe proves you don’t need a reservation to enjoy restaurant-quality appetizers. With simple ingredients, straightforward instructions, and endless customization possibilities, you can create this crowd-pleasing dip whenever the craving strikes.
The combination of creamy cheeses, tender spinach, and savory artichoke hearts topped with golden mozzarella delivers those iconic Olive Garden flavors right in your own kitchen.
Whether you’re entertaining guests or treating yourself to a cozy night in, this irresistible dip is guaranteed to impress and satisfy every time.
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