Last week Ben and I went to see Something Rotten at the Civic Center. The only thing rotten was our moods when the lights turned on at the end — it was one of the best shows we’ve seed, and we didn’t want it to end!
The story is set in 16th century England – SWOON (well, minus the part about you know, the plague). Two playwrights are determined to outshine William Shakespeare by inventing…musicals! The show was filled with songs that I’m still humming days later, and the acting was terrific. If you ever get the chance to see this show – definitely take it.
After returning home Ben and I had a night cap of cheese and crackers before hitting the hay. I sliced up a hunk of smoked bourbon gouda I’d bought a few days earlier but, despite having high hopes for it, the flavor was anything but good-a. (Where’s my drum set.) Maybe certain flavors are better left separate but that certainly doesn’t apply to the combo I’m sharing today – Caesar Spinach and Artichoke Dip, aka your new go-to dip recipe!
This cheesy, hearty, totally irresistable dip knows no particular serving season. Set out while watching a football game, during a holiday party, as a Thanksgiving appetizer, or simply to pair with crackers, crudite, and a glass of wine in front of a crackling fire. Find any excuse in the book to get this dang dip on the table pronto – you’re going to INHALE it.
What’s Inside
Caesar Spinach and Artichoke Dip is simply homemade Spinach and Artichoke Dip made with Caesar dressing instead of mayonnaise as the binder. Can you say UPGRADE?! The recipe calls for just 5 ingredients (plus seasoned salt,) is make-ahead, and good piping hot, warm, or straight outta the fridge. Ask me how I know.
Thick, cheesy, hearty, EASY – you can do this. I take that back, you NEED to do this!
How to Make This Recipe
Start by adding 1/3 less fat cream cheese that’s been softened to room temperature, frozen chopped spinach that’s been thawed and squeezed dry in a kitchen towel, canned artichoke hearts that have been drained and roughly chopped, homemade seasoned salt, and gluten-free Caesar dressing (I like Primal Kitchen’s Caesar Dressing) to a large mixing bowl.
Mix to combine then fold in shredded mozzarella cheese and scoop the dip into a 2 quart baking dish.
Top with more shredded cheese then cover and bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees. Uncover and bake for 7-10 additional minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly. Serve with gluten-free crostini (recipe below,) tortilla chips, crackers or crudite – then go. to. TOWN!! I hope you love this incredible dip mashup – enjoy!
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Caesar Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Description
Caesar Spinach and Artichoke Dip takes traditional spinach and artichoke dip up a notch! This 5 ingredient, gluten free dip recipe is utterly irresistible.
Ingredients
- 8oz 1/3 less-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup gluten-free Caesar dressing (I use Primal Kitchen)
- 14oz can quartered artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 10oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and excess water squeezed out
- 1/4 teaspoon homemade seasoned salt (see note)
- 1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- Serve with: crackers, tortilla chips, crudite, GF crostini (see note)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. To a large bowl add cream cheese, Caesar dressing, artichoke hearts, chopped spinach, and seasoned salt then mix to combine. Add 1 cup shredded cheese then mix to combine. Scoop and spread mixture into a 2 quart baking dish then top with remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese.
- Cover baking dish with foil then bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil then bake for 7-10 more minutes or until cheese is golden brown and bubbly - hit the dip with a blast from the broiler if it's taking too long. Serve with crostini, tortilla chips, or crudite.
Notes
- Dip can be assembled ahead of time then stored unbaked in the refrigerator. Allow baking pan to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
- Click here to get the recipe for Homemade Seasoned Salt >
- To make GF crostini: slice a GF baguette into 1/4" slices then spread onto a silpat or parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Mist or brush tops with extra virgin olive oil then season with salt and pepper. Bake for 7-10 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Cool then eat immediately (these do not store well and are best eaten within a couple hours.)
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
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This looks so interesting! I’ve never tried an artichoke dip with caesar in it before. Sounds like it would taste great! Thank you so much for sharing. Can’t wait to try making this at home.
Hi Kristin, are most cream cheese’s gluten free? I just started eating gluten free! But I looked at Philadelphia cream cheese ingredients tonight and thought I saw wheat in it!
Philadelphia brand does not contain gluten: https://www.philadelphia.co.uk/corporate-information/faq
This looks amazing! I’m going to make this and stuff baby Bella mushrooms for Christmas Eve.
[…] and comes up with a weekly dinner menu and shopping list. LOVE IT! And definitely wanting to try this dip to bring along to our next get […]
Sooooo good! I had to make some substitutions as I realized I forgot to buy cream cheese and was short on mozzarella. I ended up subbing a heaping cup of cottage cheese and blended it in the food processor until smooth, then added the remaining ingredients. Topped it with cheddar as I only had enough mozzarella for the dip itself. It was still awesome & my hubby and 17 month old loved it too.
I went to “Something Rotten!” last week too…it was sooooo good! I’ve been listening to the songs all week at work! :) The spinart dip looks amazing!
Wowow! This is something I can easily make (I’m not the best cook) and my mom would absolutely love (she’s hard to please). Thanks for sharing!!
Super, super easy, Nicole. If you can stir, you can make this dip. ?? I hope you ladies love it!
This actually sounds amazing. My normal spinach artichoke dip uses a jar of Alfredo sauce so I can only imagine how good this is going to be.
Needless to say, this is dinner tomorrow with a salad. Am I the only one who actually makes a dip for dinner??
Holy cow – alfredo sauce – I LOVE it! And no, you are not the only one. I ate this dip for a snack, dinner, 2nd dinner…you get the picture. :)
I’d use this dip with spicy bruschetta, thank you for sharing! :)
Sounds like an awesome combo – can’t really go wrong with spicy bruschetta and anything though, can you? :)
Looks delicious! Where would I find Primal Kitchen products? Thanks Kristin for a great appetizer-always good to have one for this time of year:)
My local HyVee just started carrying them in the health market! :)
This looks delicious! Can you recommend a good gf baguette?
Thanks Dana! I usually use Against the Grain baguettes, and find them in the freezer section of my grocery store’s health market.
http://againstthegraingourmet.com/