This Bacon Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe is the best cheesy appetizer for any occasion. This dish is served warm and loaded with cream cheese, Parmesan, mozzarella, and no mayo.
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You can bake this restaurant meal from scratch or grab your Crockpot or slow cooker! This is an easy dish that simply requires you to dump in the ingredients.
What Type of Cheese to Use
You will need Parmesan Reggiano cheese and mozzarella, along with cream cheese.
Parmesan Reggiano (the real name is Parmigiano Reggiano) is high-quality cheese. It’s REAL Parmesan and is always made in Italy. Cheese labeled “Parmesan Cheese” can be made anywhere and is an imitation. Parmigiano Reggiano is more expensive and has a noticeable difference in taste. Once you’ve had it, you will never want to go back to imitation.
I recommend you purchase the cheese in block form and grate it yourself. Pre-shredded cheese has potato starch and chemical preservatives. It doesn’t melt as well and won’t get the dip super creamy.
What Type of Spinach to Use. Fresh or Frozen?
You can use either fresh or frozen, but my preference is to use fresh baby spinach. If you use frozen you will need to thaw it first, and drain all of the excess water. If you place a frozen block in the slow cooker, once it melts the remaining liquid will create a soupy mess and you will struggle to thicken the dip.
If using thawed frozen, be sure to properly drain the excess water. Otherwise, you will encounter the issue noted above.
How to Make Bacon Spinach Artichoke Dip
The full list of ingredients with measurements and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of this post in the recipe card.
- Add spinach, cream cheese, cheese, artichokes, onions, and garlic to the slow cooker.
- Slow cook.
- Open up the pot. Stir and add crumbled bacon.
How to Melt the Cheese
The cheese will melt on its own in the slow cooker. Keep a watchful eye and stir as necessary, to prevent cheese from burning along the sides of the slow cooker.
How to Thicken the Dip
The cream cheese does a great job of thickening this dip, along with the artichokes.
Can You Omit the Artichokes
Sure, you can make this dish with no artichokes. No adjustments to the recipe are necessary.
Substitutions and Additional Topping Ideas
- Sundried Tomatoes
- Olives
- Peppers
- Onions
- Shrimp
- Crab
- Chicken
How to Store the Dip
Store it in the fridge tightly covered and sealed for 3-4 days. For gatherings keep it warm in a Crockpot.
Can You Freeze it?
I wouldn’t. Milk and dairy ingredients separate upon thaw. The consistency won’t be the same.
What to Dip Besides Chips
- Carrots
- Celery
- Pretzels
- Air Fryer Potato Wedges
- Air Fryer French Fries
Pair the Dip With These Recipes
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
Leftover Turkey Nachos
Leftover Taco Bowls
Air Fryer Taco Egg Rolls
Twisted Bacon Recipe
Air Fryer Turkey Bacon
How to Cook Turkey Bacon in the Oven
More Dip Recipes
Homemade Queso Cheese Dip
Keto Guacamole
Million Dollar Dip
BLT Dip
Crab Rangoon Dip
Hot Crab Dip
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
Traeger Smoked Bacon
Bacon Spinach Artichoke Dip
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh spinach See notes if using frozen.
- 13 oz canned or jarred artichokes Drained and chopped.
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan Reggiano cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup finely chopped white onion
- 3 garlic cloves Minced.
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
Instructions
Slow Cooker Instructions
- Spray the slow cooker with cooking oil to prevent sticking.
- Add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker (excluding the bacon).
- Slow cook for 2 1/2 hours on Low or 1 hour on High. Be sure to keep a watchful eye and stir the dip as needed to prevent the sides and edges of the slow cooker from burning.
- Open up the pot. Stir and add the crumbled bacon. Taste repeatedly and add additional salt and pepper if needed to suit your taste.
Baking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Add all of the ingredients (excluding the bacon) to a large bowl and stir.
- Spray an 8×8 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Spoon the dip into the baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the crumbled bacon.
Notes
- Optional: Saute the onions and garlic in a pan along with a teaspoon of olive oil. This step is optional for added flavor. You can also add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker.
- Parmesan Reggiano (the real name is Parmigiano Reggiano) is high-quality cheese. It’s REAL Parmesan and is always made in Italy. Cheese labeled “Parmesan Cheese” can be made anywhere and is an imitation. Parmigiano Reggiano is more expensive and has a noticeable difference in taste. Once you’ve had it, you will never want to go back to imitation.
-
I recommend you purchase the cheese in block form and grate it yourself. Pre-shredded cheese has potato starch and chemical preservatives. It doesn’t melt as well and won’t get the dip super creamy.
- You can use either fresh or frozen spinach, but my preference is to use fresh baby spinach. If you use frozen you will need to thaw it first, and drain all of the excess water. If you place a frozen block in the slow cooker, once it melts the remaining liquid will create a soupy mess and you will struggle to thicken the dip.
- If using thawed, be sure to properly drain the excess water. Otherwise, you will encounter the issue noted above.
- I love to use the grilled (tapas) artichokes from Trader Joe’s in this dish.
Kristin
Tuesday 20th of December 2022
Definitely a game day and holiday hit! Easy no fuss recipe that I love making. Go heavy on the bacon, it's so good in this classic dip!
staysnatched
Tuesday 20th of December 2022
Such a great tip!
Anne D
Monday 28th of November 2022
Made this for a progressive dinner with friends and it was a huge hit! This is the only spinach dip recipe that I have seen where you can use fresh spinach instead of frozen - which I love! I omitted the bacon since one of my friends is a vegetarian, and that didn't effect the flavor at all. It was great to be able to cook the dip in the slow cooker and leave it on warm as we waited for people to arrive. Served with veggies and a sliced baguette. Would definitely make this again.
staysnatched
Tuesday 29th of November 2022
I'm glad to hear you will make it again!
Aimee
Saturday 26th of February 2022
How many cups does this make? Thinking about doubling it for a party tonight. Also thoughts on water chestnuts added?
staysnatched
Sunday 27th of February 2022
I've never tried water chestnuts in this and I'm not of fan of them in dips, but if you like them, feel free!
Monica R
Sunday 13th of February 2022
This dip was SO good and so easy! It tastes better than any store bought dip, and is full of normal ingredients. I'll keep this one on rotation, for sure!
staysnatched
Monday 14th of February 2022
Glad to hear it will be in the rotation.
Meredith Eddy
Sunday 2nd of January 2022
This is delicious and simple to make! Mostly hands off if using the crockpot method. I did other things around the house and stirred the crock pot here and there. Thanks for the recipe!
staysnatched
Monday 3rd of January 2022
You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it.