This Healthy Hot Spinach Dip has all the goodness you love about the original, but with fewer calories and less fat. Don't fret though, this easy spinach dip is equally as rich and full of creamy, cheesy goodness. Serve with crusty bread or crackers.
Hot creamy dips are comforting, delicious, and quite honestly hard to stop eating. As a child, hot dips (and all dips in general) signified family get-togethers and events. This healthy hot spinach dip has all the goodness of the classic, but with less fat and fewer calories.
This cream cheese spinach dip recipe is made healthier by using less cheese and by using nonfat Greek yogurt. The yogurt replaces the higher fat sour cream you tend to see in hot spinach dip recipes without removing that desirable creamy, tangy flavor. This recipe also uses only 4oz of cream cheese compared to the 8oz seen in other recipes. But guess what, you don't miss it at all!
Best served hot, right out of the oven, this cheesy dip is addictive to eat {without guilt}. Serve with your favorite crackers or warm crusty bread.
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Why You Will Love This Dip Recipe
- Only 136 calories per serving
- Nonfat Greek yogurt in place of sour cream {less fat}
- It's easy to make
- Perfect for sharing or small get-togethers
- It's DELICIOUS!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Cream Cheese (softened) - This recipe uses half the quantity of cream cheese often seen in the original recipes. To cut calories further use reduced fat cream cheese, or Neufchatel cheese.
- Nonfat Greek Yogurt - Greek yogurt brings creamy texture and tangy flavor without all of the calories.
- Fresh Baby Spinach - While 10oz of spinach may seem like a lot, it reduces down considerably after cooking.
- Scallions (diced) - Delicious substitutes include minced white onion and chives.
- Garlic Clove (minced)
- Salt and Black Pepper
- Parmesan Cheese (grated or shaved)
- Shredded Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese
How to Make Hot Spinach Dip
1 - The first thing to do is saute the spinach on low heat {covered} until wilted. Wring out any excess liquid after cooking and roughly chop the cooked leaves.
2 - Then, preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a small baking dish with cooking spray. *I used a 9-inch oval dish.
3 - In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together {reserving a ½ cup of shredded mozzarella} until well combined.
4 - Transfer the mixture into the prepared dish and smooth it into an even layer. Sprinkle the top surface with the remaining ½ cup of shredded mozzarella.
5 - Bake the dip for 20 minutes or until it is bubbly and the cheese has melted. With the broiler on low, cook for an additional 3-5 minutes or until the cheese starts to brown.
Equipment
- Baking Dish - I LOVE this STAUB Ceramics 9-inch Oval Baking Dish (as pictured) when it comes to hot dips. Not only is the quality top-notch but is the perfect size for many hot dip recipes.
- Large Skillet - You will need a large skillet with a lid to cook the spinach. I like this T-fal Specialty Nonstick 5 Quart Jumbo Cooker Saute Pan becuase of its affordable price and it comes with a glass lid.
What to Serve with this Dip
This dip can be served hot or cold, but it is best when heated. You can also use it as a spread for sandwiches and toast. Here is what I love to serve it with:
- Torn crusty bread or crostini
- Crackers or pretzel thins
- Pita Chips (as pictured)
- Vegetables – Broccoli, celery, cauliflower, baby carrots
Storing & Reheating
- STORE - Allow the dip to cool completely before covering the dish in foil (or transfer to an airtight container). Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- REHEAT - The easiest and most efficient way to reheat this dip is in the microwave.
- MICROWAVE: Heat for 30 seconds - 1 minute (depending on the quantity being heated), or until the cheese is melted.
- OVEN: Preheat oven to 325°F. Transfer to an oven-safe dish and cover it in foil. Cook until it's heated through, and the cheese is melted.
Other Dip Recipes You Will Love
- Homemade French Onion Dip
- The Best Guacamole Recipe
- Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Log
- Sun-Dried Tomato Feta Dip
FAQ
Yes, this dip can be frozen. Keep in mind, however, that the contents may separate slightly as the dip thaws. To freeze, transfer completely cooled dip to an air-tight container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Frozen spinach can be used in this recipe. However, make sure to remove as much liquid as possible, after it thaws, before mixing it in with the other ingredients.
Related Recipes
📖 Recipe
Healthy Hot Spinach Dip
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
- 10 oz fresh baby spinach
- ¼ cup scallions diced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese grated or shaved
- 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- crackers, chips, or bread for serving
Instructions
- In a large non-stick skillet, saute the spinach on low heat {covered} until wilted. (Use a small amount of olive oil if spinach is sticking to the pan.) Wring out any excess liquid. Roughly chop the cooked spinach.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a small baking dish with cooking spray. *I used a 9-inch oval dish.
- In a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, Greek yogurt, cooked spinach, scallions, garlic, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and a ½ cup of shredded mozzarella until well combined.
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared dish and smooth it into an even layer. Sprinkle the top surface with the remaining ½ cup of shredded mozzarella.
- Bake the dip for 20 minutes or until it is bubbly, and the cheese has melted. With the broiler on low, cook for an additional 3-5 minutes or until the cheese starts to brown.
- Serve immediately with crackers, chips, or bread.
Notes
- STORE - Allow the dip to cool completely before covering the dish in foil (or transfer to an airtight container). Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- REHEAT - The easiest and most efficient way to reheat this dip is in the microwave.
- MICROWAVE: Heat for 30 seconds - 1 minute (depending on the quantity being heated), or until the cheese is melted.
- OVEN: Preheat oven to 325°F. Transfer to an oven-safe dish and cover it in foil. Cook until it's heated through, and the cheese is melted.
Nutrition
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? Please leave a star rating and review below!
Post Updated 3/10/2022: Photos updated, process shots added, and content updated.
Peggy
When do you add the salt and pepper?
Katelyn Ryan
Hi Peggy! I just added this missing information to the recipe instructions. Stir the spices in along with all of the other ingredients in step 3.