Olive Garden Spinach Artichoke Dip

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Olive Garden’s spinach artichoke dip is a fan favorite you can now make at home. This creamy, cheesy appetizer combines spinach, artichokes, and a blend of cheeses for a tasty treat. You can whip up this copycat recipe in just 25 minutes with simple ingredients.

The dip starts with a butter and flour roux, then adds milk and cheese for a rich base. Spinach and artichokes give it texture and flavor. After mixing everything together, you’ll top it with more cheese and broil until golden brown. Serve it warm with bread or chips for a crowd-pleasing snack.

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make this tasty Olive Garden-inspired spinach artichoke dip:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups milk
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 5 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• ¼ cup diced artichokes (try marinated for extra flavor)
• ½ teaspoon chopped garlic
• ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• ¾ cup shredded Mozzarella cheese (½ cup for mixing, ¼ cup for topping)
• 1 tablespoon shredded Asiago cheese
• 1 tablespoon shredded Romano cheese
• 2 tablespoons cream cheese

Make sure to have these ingredients ready before you start cooking. The mix of cheeses gives this dip its rich, creamy texture and flavor.

Remember to thaw and drain your spinach well. This helps keep your dip from being too watery.

Instructions

1. Thaw spinach and squeeze out excess liquid. Finely chop 1 clove garlic or enough for ½ teaspoon.
2. Melt butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat.
3. Add flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Add milk and stir until the sauce thickens.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Add spinach, artichokes, garlic, Parmesan, Mozzarella, Asiago, Romano, and cream cheese to the pan.
7. Stir until the mixture is warmed through. It does not have to be bubbling.
8. Pour the mixture into an oven-proof baking dish. Sprinkle Mozzarella cheese on top.
9. Broil until the top begins to brown.

This dip is perfect for parties or game day snacking. Your friends will love it!

Possible Substitutes List & Recipe Variations

You can easily change up this Olive Garden spinach artichoke dip recipe to suit your tastes or what you have on hand. Here are some tasty swaps and tweaks:

Cheese substitutes:

• Use all mozzarella instead of the cheese blend
• Try smoked gouda for a smoky flavor
• Swap in white cheddar for sharpness

Veggie options:

• Add diced red peppers for color and crunch
• Mix in some chopped kale with the spinach
• Use fresh spinach instead of frozen (about 5 cups)

For a lighter version:

• Use low-fat milk and cream cheese
• Replace half the mayo with Greek yogurt

Spice it up:

• Add a dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes
• Mix in some chopped jalapeños

You can also try these fun variations:

• Bacon and cheddar: Add crumbled bacon and swap cheddar for mozzarella
• Mediterranean: Mix in sun-dried tomatoes and olives
• Buffalo chicken: Stir in shredded chicken and buffalo sauce

Get creative and make this dip your own! Just keep the basic ratios of cheese, veggies, and creamy base similar for the best results.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Make sure to squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the spinach. This will help your dip stay thick and creamy.

You can use fresh spinach instead of frozen. Just chop and sauté it first.

For extra flavor, try adding some sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers.

To save time, you can make the dip ahead and refrigerate it. Just add the cheese topping and broil when you’re ready to serve.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To reheat, pop it in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until bubbly.

You can freeze the dip for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.

Serve with toasted bread, crackers, or veggie sticks for dipping.

For a lighter version, use low-fat cheeses and milk.

To make it gluten-free, swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend.