Best Baked Artichoke Spinach Dip (no mayo)

By Elena

Dec 22, 2021, Updated Mar 11, 2024

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5 from 7 reviews

Best Baked Artichoke Spinach Dip (no mayo)- you won’t miss the mayo in this perfect cheesy artichoke dip. Loaded with fresh spinach, chopped artichokes, and three kinds of cheese, the whole family will love this appetizer!

More Italian-style appetizers: Roasted Portabello Mushrooms, Best Italian Zucchini Fritters (easy recipe), and Easy Bruschetta Recipe with Mozzarella and Tomato Basil.

Hot mascarpone spinach and artichoke dip in a platter
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Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip (No Mayo)

This warm spinach and artichoke dip is a great recipe to bring everyone into the kitchen before a meal.

This easy cheesy, and addictive Baked Artichoke Dip with Spinach (no mayo) will do the trick! You can prep it a day ahead and bake it just before serving to save time on busy days.

This Italian Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip made with mascarpone cheese is a classic. Serve it for casual patio parties, football nights, or formal gatherings as a featured appetizer. It’s one of our favorite party recipes.

You can dip bread, crostini, or veggies into this delicious baked spinach artichoke dip recipe. It is an all-around crowd-pleaser!

You will also love Steakhouse Creamed Spinach!

Simple Ingredients for Baked Artichoke Dip

This baked spinach artichoke dip is a mix of freshly cooked spinach, canned or frozen artichoke hearts, and four types of cheeses, all baked to golden brown perfection. A classic party snack that always gets amazing compliments from family and friends.

  • Frozen or canned artichokes, chopped.
  • Fresh spinach
  • Olive oil (for cooking)
  • Onion
  • Cloves of Garlic
  • Mascarpone
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Parmigiano cheese or parmesan cheese
  • Creme Fraiche (you can also use sour cream)
  • Italian herbs (fresh basil)
  • Red chili flakes (if desired)
  • Salt and black pepper- to taste

Best Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip (no mayo)

Most spinach artichoke dips include mayonnaise, yuck! That’s my personal opinion. I know you won’t miss it this delicious recipe! The creamy natural mascarpone cheese adds a luxurious and velvety texture to this warm appetizer dip.

This easy artichoke dip recipe comes together in a little time!

How to make Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip with Mascarpone Cheese (Step by Step with photos)

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 1 ½ quart baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
  •  Steam or sauté the spinach until wilted. Let cool, then wring out all the excess water. 
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat sauté artichokes and onion in olive oil. Cook for 3-5 minutes until onions and artichokes are slightly brown. Add garlic and cooked spinach, cooking for 1 minute longer.
  •  Add mascarpone cheese to the skillet, stirring until melted. Remove from heat. Pour into a medium-size mixing bowl.
  • To the mixing bowl or pan add, 1 cup mozzarella, creme fraiche, parmigiano, salt, herbs and pepper flakes. Mix until combined.
  • Pour into a baking dish, casserole dish, or glass pie dish, and sprinkle top with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden. 
  • Serve warm with bread, pita chips, crackers, tortilla chips or veggies for dipping. Mangia! (Eat!)

If you love spinach and artichokes, you will also love these recipes

Italian Frittata Recipe with Spinach

Creamy Mushroom Spinach Manicotti (No-Boil!)

Orzo Pasta with Shrimp, Sun-dried Tomatoes, and Artichokes

Jimmy Dean Sausage Dip

Stuffed Artichokes

TOP TIPS

This dreamy, delicious artichoke dip is irresistible! You’re guaranteed to be the most popular host every time you serve it.

It’s a delicious dish that guests, families, and children love. Here are some tips to achieve the best results:

  • The most important part of making this recipe is ensuring all the water is removed from your cooked spinach. You can squeeze the spinach between your fingers to remove the liquid, press it in a potato ricer, or wrap it in a few layers of paper towels to wring out all the liquid.
  • I prefer to use freshly cooked spinach for this dip. You can use frozen spinach in a pinch, but frozen spinach has a stringier texture.
  • This dip tastes best with jarred marinated hearts, although canned artichokes packed in water or frozen artichokes can also be used.
  • Use full-fat dairy ingredients. I recommend using full-fat cheeses in this recipe. It is hard to achieve a creamy texture with all the additional ingredients they add in low-fat cheese products.
spinach and artichoke dip with mascarpone and bread

Shop this CucinaByElena two in one cutting and charcuterie board here!

Can you use frozen spinach in place of fresh spinach?

I don’t recommend it! Fresh spinach will give you a better flavor and texture than frozen. Frozen spinach has less flavor because it will release moisture as it bakes, it may also make your dip too thin and take away from the creamy texture.

Substitutions and Additions

  • You can use plain cream cheese OR mascarpone in this dip with no other adjustments needed.
  • Likewise, you can use plain sour cream or creme fraiche interchangeably. The creme fraiche adds a more velvety and buttery texture to the dip.
  • Extra cheese: you can add a little Monterey jack cheese to make it a little extra cheesy! Add 1/4 cup. you can experiment with different kinds of cheese that you like.
  • You can mix in crumbled bacon or pancetta to this dip if you want to add meat.
  • Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature. Room temp mascarpone and creme fraiche will make this dip much easier to mix up and will also help it bake more evenly. I like to prepare all my ingredients and then let them sit on the counter for about 30-60 minutes before mixing everything together.

Can I make Baked Mascarpone Spinach Artichoke Dip ahead of time?

Yes! This dip can be fully assembled, covered and chilled, then baked just before serving. Add 5 minutes to the cooking time.

What to serve with Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip

Here are some ideas for what to serve with your dip:

  • Baguette slices
  • Pretzel chips
  • Carrot sticks
  • Fresh vegetables such as pepper, carrots, celery, and jicama
  • Pita chips
  • Crackers
  • Bell pepper
  • Breadsticks
  • Chips (tortilla chips work well- a more sturdy chip is better)

You can also set out an assortment of dipping options for your family and guest to enjoy.

HOW LONG DOES BAKED SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP LAST IN THE FRIDGE?

This dip will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days. I recommend reheating the pan covered in the oven until warmed through, or you can microwave individual portions.

From my Cucina (kitchen) to your table!

Made with Amore, Elena

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You will love this Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip (no mayo) made with mascarpone cheese! It’s deliciously rich, perfectly creamy and cheesy, brimming with spinach and artichokes, and it’s always a crowd favorite.

This version is oven baked and incredibly easy to make. Serve it for your next special occasion and you will get rave reviews from everyone!

Print
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Hot mascarpone spinach and artichoke dip in a platter

Hot Mascarpone Spinach Artichoke Dip

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 7 reviews

Print Recipe

Need a warm and cheese appetizer to bring everyone into the kitchen before a meal? This easy cheesy and addictive Hot Mascarpone Spinach Artichoke Dip will do the trick! You can prep it a day ahead of time and bake just before serving to save time on busy days.   

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4–6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 8 oz can of marinated artichoke hearts, drained
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 8 oz package cream cheese or mascarpone cheese
  • 3 cups fresh spinach, cooked liquid strained
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1 8 oz container sour cream or creme fraiche
  • 3/4 cup shredded parmigiano cheese
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes adjust to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 1 ½ quart baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
  2.  Steam or sauté the spinach until wilted. Let cool, then wring out all the excess water. 
  3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat sauté artichokes and onion in olive oil. Cook for 3-5 minutes until onions and artichokes are slightly brown. Add garlic and cooked spinach, cooking for 1 minute longer.
  4.  Add mascarpone cheese to the skillet, stirring until melted. Remove from heat. Pour into a medium-size mixing bowl.
  5. To the bowl add, 1 cup mozzarella, creme fraiche, parmigiano, salt, herbs and pepper flakes. Mix until combined.
  6. Pour into baking dish and sprinkle top with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
  7. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden. 
  8. Serve warm with bread, pita chips, crackers, tortilla chips or veggies for dipping. Mangia! (Eat!)
  • Author: Elena Davis
  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Savory
  • Method: Italian
  • Cuisine: Italian

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About Elena

My dream is to share delicious wholesome recipes that you will share around the table with all your loved ones. The memories surrounded by food are the heart and soul of CucinaByElena.

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13 Comments

  3. Great recipe. One note — make sure to drain excess liquid from the final mixture before baking. I probably drained several ounces of liquid. The final product was outstanding.



    Reply

  5. This is a family favorite now. I make it each New Year’s Eve and on big game days. My whole family loves it. We have it with veggies and crackers.



    Reply

  6. I made this for Nee Years Eve and for our most recent family sports gathering. Both times it was a huge hit. So many comments from family and friends about how this was so much better than other artichoke dips. My family enjoyed dipping veggies in it too.



    Reply

    1. I am normally not a fan of many dips like these, but this one hit the spot for me! My husband and children love it too!

      Reply

  7. This dip was delicious! I have made many artichoke dips, but I love, love this recipe the best!! Thanks so much for bringing us such great recipes for so many great occasions!



    Reply