Many dip recipes feature mayonnaise as a key ingredient. And that is fine unless you happen to be (or you’re hosting) one of those people who just can’t stand mayonnaise. They’re out there. Some people are just disgusted by mayo in any shape or form and no matter what you do the mayo in a recipe, these people will notice and avoid that dish.
One great thing about our recipe for Four Cheese Hot Spinach Dip is that there is absolutely no mayonnaise in the recipe. This recipe is perfect for both mayonnaise lovers and haters as well.
Four Cheese Hot Spinach Dip Recipe
When you host a gathering, whether it is to watch the Big Game or just to enjoy the company of friends and family, having an excellent dip recipe can add to everyone’s enjoyment of the evening. This Four Cheese Hot Spinach Dip is a delicious addition to your entertainment recipe collection.
Video Version
Equipment
- Casserole Dish
- Colander
- Medium-Sized Pan
- Wooden Spoon
Ingredients
- 16 ounces Frozen Spinach
- 1 teaspoon Minced Fresh Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 2 teaspoons Oil for Sauteing
- 1/4 cup Milk
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese
- 1 cup Grated Mozzarella Cheese
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
- 2 dashes Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 pinch Salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees if you plan on baking the dip right away.
- Spray a 1 ½ to 2-quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Place the frozen spinach in a mesh colander and run cool water over it to thaw it.
- Shake the spinach to drain it, and turn it out onto a triple layer of paper towels. Cover it with a few more paper towels and press as much moisture from the spinach as you can.
- Place the oil in a medium-size pan and heat it over medium-hot heat.
- When the oil is hot, saute the garlic for about 5 minutes or until the garlic is a light golden brown color.
- Add the drained and dried spinach and cook over medium-low heat until the spinach is heated through and most of the moisture is evaporated.
- Place the spinach garlic mixture in a bowl and press with a paper towel again to remove excess moisture.
- Pour the milk into your pan and return the pot to the heat.
- Cut the cream cheese into small pieces and add it to your warm milk.
- Stir the cheese and milk mixture until the cream cheese is melted and smooth.
- Add the spinach mixture, ½ cup of the mozzarella, the Cheddar cheese, and the Parmesan, along with the Worcestershire sauce and salt.
- Gently stir until the cheeses are melted and fully incorporated.
- Remove the pot from the heat and pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top of the dip.
- Bake the dip for 20-25 minutes until the dip is hot and the cheese on top is lightly browned.
Notes
Dips are a relatively modern concept. In fact, they really didn’t exist until the 1950s. And the advent of watching television had plenty to do with the creation of dips. While it seems like an odd combination, when you hear about how life changed in the 1950s, it actually makes sense.
Before the late 1950s, meal times were relatively formal things, especially the evening meal that most families called “dinner.” Families would dress up a bit for dinner, and the dinner hour was meant to be a soothing, relaxing time for the family to connect.
In the late 50s though, American society changed a bit. Evening television became an integral part of the family’s routine. In fact, the offerings were so appealing and so enticing that many families began to forgo the evening “dinner” routine in favor of eating a meal in front of the television set.
Even families who kept up the evening family dinner time often relaxed their standards one or two nights a week as a treat. Food manufacturers began to take note of this societal trend and began offering “TV dinners”, frozen meals that were easy to cook and created in a disposable tray.
Housewives were delighted that their workload was lessened, and of course, children were glad to escape the concept of wearing an uncomfortable tie or dress in favor of sitting on the sofa watching their favorite characters play out a story on a screen.
This time was also when dips began to be created. A dip could be consumed on the sofa in front of the television while requiring no special dishes or utensils for eating. Manufacturers of food items like sour cream, mayonnaise, and dried soup mixes began publishing recipe booklets that featured dips that the whole family could enjoy.
In the last ten to fifteen years, spinach dip has been included on the menus of many favorite chain restaurants as an appetizer, and when someone throws a Super Bowl party, serving a good spinach dip recipe is a must-have.
Our recipe for Four Cheese Hot Spinach Dip features several types of cheese, some herbs, and a bit of Worcestershire sauce. While we don’t include it here if you want your dip to have a little heat, feel free to add a dash of hot sauce to the mixture while it’s cooking on the stove.
Also, this recipe is great to make ahead of time. So if you want to create it the day before your party, just place the unbaked dip in a casserole dish and cover it with plastic wrap. About 30 minutes before you plan to serve it, remove the plastic wrap and bake it until the dip is hot and bubbly and the cheese on top is browned.
All Recipes | Breakfast | Dinner (Mains) | Dessert | Side Dishes | Soups | Appetizers | Salads | Snacks | Beverages | Breads
See More RecipesClick Here for All Our Recipes