If you’re a fan of classic spinach and artichoke dip, you’ll love this pesto spinach and artichoke dip. It’s creamy, cheesy, loaded with flavor, and finished with a rich basil pesto that takes the classic dip to the next level.
This warm dip combines tender spinach, artichoke hearts, melted cheeses, garlic, and pesto for a bold, savory flavor that’s perfect for parties, holidays, and game days. Best of all, it comes together quickly in one skillet and is finished under the broiler for a perfectly bubbly top.
Serve it with crusty bread, crackers, or veggies and watch it disappear in minutes.
If you love easy appetizers like this, you might also enjoy other party favorites such as jalapeno popper monkey bread or a hearty meal like one-pot chili after snack time.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich, creamy, and cheesy
- Loaded with spinach and artichokes
- Fresh basil pesto adds amazing flavor
- Perfect for parties and gatherings
- Quick and easy to make in one pan
Key Ingredients
You’ll find the full list of ingredients and exact amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Spinach: One of the signature ingredients of the dip. It adds earthy flavor, color, and balances the richness of the cheeses.
- Aritchoke Hearts: Provide the distinctive tangy flavor and texture that defines a classic spinach artichoke dip.
- Cream Cheese: Forms the creamy base of the dip, giving it thickness and a rich, smooth texture.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Melts into the dip, creating a gooey, stretchy texture.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, nutty depth to the dip’s overall flavor.
- Basil Pesto: Adds herbaceous flavor and a garlic-forward richness that elevates the traditional spinach artichoke dip.
Variations
- Add Chicken: Mix in shredded rotisserie chicken for a heartier dip.
- Make It Extra Cheesy: Add extra mozzarella or provolone for an even cheesier texture.
- Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Sun-dried tomatoes pair beautifully with pesto and add extra depth of flavor.
- Make It Spicier: Increase the red pepper flakes or add diced jalapeños for extra heat.
How to make Pesto Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Step 1: Saute the garlic in oil until fragrant. Then, add the spinach and cook it down.
Step 2: Mix in the onions, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Then, add the cream cheese and mozzarella.
Step 3: Cook and mix until the cheese is melted and the dip is creamy.
Step 4: Broil until golden and enjoy.
Expert Tips
- Remove Moisture from the Spinach: If using frozen spinach, make sure to squeeze out excess liquid to keep the dip from becoming watery. If using fresh spinach, cook it down until all the moisture is gone.
- Use Freshly Grated Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan and mozzarella melt better and give the dip a richer flavor.
- Don’t Overcook the Garlic: Garlic burns quickly, so saute it just until fragrant.
- Broil for Extra Flavor: The broiler step gives the dip a slightly golden, bubbly top that makes it even more delicious.
Pesto Spinach and Artichoke Dip FAQs
Yes! This pesto spinach and artichoke dip can easily be made ahead of time. Prepare the dip as directed, then store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before serving. When ready to serve, warm it in the oven and broil the top until hot and bubbly.
Absolutely. Frozen spinach works very well in this recipe. Just make sure to thaw it completely and squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible before adding it to the pan so the dip doesn’t become watery.
Both store-bought and homemade basil pesto work great. A traditional basil pesto gives the dip its signature herby flavor, but you could also experiment with sun-dried tomato pesto for a different twist.
The most important step is removing excess moisture from the spinach. Also, allow the spinach to cook for a few minutes in the pan so any remaining liquid evaporates before adding the cheeses.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing is not recommended. The dip’s texture can change when it defrosts.
You can reheat the dip in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or microwave it in short intervals until warmed through.
Great Pairings for This Zippy Spinach Artichoke Dip
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Pesto Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Ingredients
- (2) 10 ounce chopped spinach, if using frozen- defrost and squeeze out excess moisture
- (2) 14 ounce artichoke hearts, drained
- 12 ounce cream cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¼ cup basil pesto
- 1 ½ cups finely grated Parmesan
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon minced onions
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- In a medium sized pan or skillet, add the olive oil over medium low heat.
- Add garlic, and saute for 1 minute or until fragrant.
- Add spinach to the pan and continue breaking up the clumps while incorporating the garlic.
- Let any moisture cook out of the pan.
- Add the minced onion, pepper, and red pepper flakes, and mix well.
- Add the cream cheese and mozzarella over low heat.
- Stir until well combined.
- Add the sour cream, grated Parmesan and pesto.
- Continue mixing until the cheese has melted and everything is combined.
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Broil for 4-5 minutes, and serve.
Notes
- Remove Moisture from the Spinach: If using frozen spinach, make sure to squeeze out excess liquid to keep the dip from becoming watery. If using fresh spinach, cook it down until all the moisture is gone.
- Use Freshly Grated Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan and mozzarella melt better and give the dip a richer flavor.
- Don’t Overcook the Garlic: Garlic burns quickly, so saute it just until fragrant.
- Broil for Extra Flavor: The broiler step gives the dip a slightly golden, bubbly top that makes it even more delicious.
This is so good! The pesto is such a great pairing with the spinach and artichoke flavor.
This dip is freaking fantastic. Adding pesto was such a smart move. Tasty!
Adding pesto to the spinach and artichoke base gave this a nice herby flavor that worked well with toasted bread.
This Pesto, spinach, artichoke dip, turned out amazing! It was easy to make, and the family love it, looking forward to taking it to my next party!!
I love this artichoke dip. It’s so easy to make…creamy and delicious this has become my new go-to dip!
I made this for a get-together and it was a hit. Creamy with that pesto twist makes it extra special!