If you’re searching for a party appetizer that always disappears in minutes, this Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip is your new secret weapon! It’s everything you want in a dip: creamy, cheesy, packed with veggies, and made effortlessly in your slow cooker. Whether you’re hosting game day or craving a cozy snack, you’ll fall for each scoop of flavorful goodness.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Entertaining: Let your slow cooker do all the work while you relax or focus on getting ready for your guests.
- Irresistibly Creamy: Every bite is packed with rich cheese and velvety textures that keep everyone coming back for more.
- Vegetable-Loaded Flavor: The spinach and artichokes not only add color and nutrition, but also a fresh, savory depth.
- Ultimate Crowd-Pleaser: Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip is a guaranteed hit at any gathering—watch it disappear!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip lies in its simple lineup of ingredients, each bringing something special to the table. From ultra-creamy cheese to the earthy freshness of spinach, here’s what you’ll need to make it shine (and some tips to make it your best batch yet):
- Fresh Spinach (1 10-ounce bag): For the best color and texture, chop it roughly before adding—no need to pre-cook! The spinach will wilt perfectly in the crock pot.
- Artichoke Hearts (1 14-ounce can): Chopped artichoke hearts add tangy, tender bites throughout the dip. Use canned, drained ones for convenience.
- Cream Cheese (1 8-ounce block): Cubed cream cheese melts down for that signature luscious texture—be sure to use a block for ultimate creaminess.
- Sour Cream (1 cup): This adds both tang and smooth body to the dip, making every bite ultra-creamy without being heavy.
- Mozzarella Cheese (1 cup, shredded): Melts beautifully and gives the dip all its glorious stretch and pull.
- Parmesan Cheese (½ cup, shredded): Adds an irresistible salty, nutty flavor and helps brown the top if you finish it in the oven.
- Garlic (4 cloves, minced): Fresh garlic infuses the whole dip with punchy flavor—don’t be shy!
- Salt and Pepper: A sprinkle at the end brings all the flavors together; adjust to taste.
Variations
One of the greatest things about Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip is how adaptable it is. You can play with the cheeses, sneak in extra veggies, or make it fit almost any dietary preference to truly make it your own!
- Make it Spicy: Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños for a little heat in every bite.
- Lighter Version: Swap in light cream cheese, Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, and reduce the cheese if you’d like a slimmed-down dip.
- Cheese Lover’s Dream: Try adding shredded Monterey Jack, Gruyere, or a sprinkle of feta for more complexity.
- Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip: Use vegan cream cheese, dairy-free cheese shreds, vegan sour cream, and plant-based Parmesan—still super creamy and delicious!
How to Make Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip
Step 1: Prep Your Veggies and Cheeses
Roughly chop the fresh spinach and artichoke hearts so they’re bite-sized, but not too small. Cube your cream cheese—this will help it melt more evenly and quickly once everything goes in the crock pot. There’s no need to fuss over perfection; rustic chunks are part of the charm!
Step 2: Load Up the Crock Pot
Add all your ingredients—spinach, artichoke hearts, cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic, plus a pinch of salt and pepper—straight into the bowl of your slow cooker. Give everything a good stir to distribute the veggies and cheeses evenly. It might look a bit messy at first, but trust the magic.
Step 3: Set It and Forget It
Pop the lid on your crock pot and set it to LOW. Let it cook for 2 hours total. About halfway through (after 1 hour), remove the lid and give the dip a gentle stir—this helps everything melt together beautifully. Replace the lid and let the flavors continue to mingle for the final hour.
Step 4: Taste, Season & Serve
Once everything is gorgeously bubbly and melty, stir the dip well and taste for seasoning. Add more salt and pepper if needed, then transfer it (or serve straight from the crock pot!) with plenty of crackers, chips, or toasted bread for scooping. Prepare for oohs and aahs!
Pro Tips for Making Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Fresh vs. Frozen Spinach: If you’re swapping for frozen spinach, thaw and squeeze out as much water as possible to avoid a watery dip.
- Ultimate Creaminess: Use full-fat cream cheese and sour cream for the richest, silkiest dip—you can always lighten up with low-fat versions, but the texture won’t be quite as dreamy.
- Serving Temperature: Keep your crock pot on the “warm” setting for parties so the dip stays gooey and scoopable the whole night.
- Advance Prep: Chop your veggies and measure out cheeses ahead of time; simply dump and start the slow cooker when you’re ready to party!
How to Serve Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip
Garnishes
Give your Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip a little extra flair with a shower of freshly grated Parmesan, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for color, or even a handful of chopped chives or parsley. A touch of green makes it pop and adds an inviting fresh finish.
Side Dishes
This dip shines next to crispy pita chips, toasted baguette slices, bagel chips, or sturdy tortilla chips. For a lighter touch, sliced bell peppers, cucumber rounds, and carrot sticks make crunchy dippers that hold up well.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve directly from the crock pot for easy refills, or spoon the dip into a hollowed-out sourdough loaf (who doesn’t love an edible bowl?). You can also portion it into small ramekins for individual servings at a sit-down dinner or pass it in mini phyllo cups for elegant party bites.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Allow any leftover Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate. It keeps beautifully for up to 3-4 days, making leftover scoops a happy snack or sandwich spread!
Freezing
You can freeze this dip for up to 2 months. Just cool it fully, pack into a freezer-safe container, and thaw in the fridge overnight before gently reheating—note that while the flavor remains delicious, the texture may be a bit softer after freezing due to the cream cheese.
Reheating
To reheat, scoop the dip back into the crock pot or a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. If it seems a bit thick, add a splash of milk to loosen it up to your desired consistency.
FAQs
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Can I prepare Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble all the ingredients up to a day in advance and refrigerate them right in your crock pot insert (covered). Just start the slow cooker when you’re ready to heat and serve—so convenient for parties!
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Is it okay to use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
Absolutely. Thaw and squeeze out as much liquid from frozen spinach as possible before adding it to keep the dip from getting watery. It works great and saves some chopping, too.
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What should I serve with Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip?
It’s delicious with classic dippers like tortilla chips, sliced baguette, pita chips, or veggie sticks. For something special, try serving in a bread bowl or topping baked potatoes with it for an indulgent twist!
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Can I double the recipe for a larger group?
Yes, simply double all the ingredients and increase the cooking time by 30-45 minutes (still on LOW). Be sure not to overfill your slow cooker—leave at least an inch at the top to avoid spills.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something about a bubbling pot of Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip that makes every gathering feel extra special. I hope you’ll give this foolproof, ultra-creamy, crowd-pleasing recipe a try—and watch it become a favorite at your table, too!
Print
Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This creamy and flavorful Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip is the perfect appetizer for any gathering. Made with fresh spinach, artichoke hearts, and a blend of cheeses, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Fresh Spinach:
- 1 10 ounce bag fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Artichoke Hearts:
- 1 14 ounce can artichoke hearts, roughly chopped
Cream Cheese:
- 1 8 ounce block cream cheese, cut into cubes
Sour Cream:
- 1 cup sour cream
Cheeses:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Seasonings:
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add Ingredients: Add all ingredients to a small crock pot and stir.
- Cook: Put the lid on and set on LOW for 2 hours. After 1 hour, remove lid, stir, and replace lid. Continue to cook for 1 additional hour.
- Adjust Seasoning: Stir dip and taste to adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Serve: Serve with crackers or chips.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
