Skinny Spinach Artichoke Dip

Skinny Spinach Artichoke Dip is a classic appetizer that everyone can’t get enough of! This easy spinach artichoke dip has been lightened up but still has all the flavors you crave and love! Not to mention this party appetizer is incredibly easy to make. 

If you have hung around here any amount of time, you know that my husband is on the picky side.

He grew up a meat and potatoes kind of guy, eating Slow Cooker Pot Roast and creamy mashed potatoes. And while I have learned to take his favorites and make them a bit healthier, like Homemade Hamburger Helper and Sloppy Joes, there are some things he just won’t eat.

Like cooked spinach. And artichokes.

But he does like Spinach  and Artichoke Dip. Go figure. 

Don’t ask me how this can be, since he swears he will not eat cooked spinach and this artichoke dip has plenty of spinach–come to think of it so does my recipe for Lasagna soup, but that is one of this favorites too. Hmm, I think he may like cooked spinach after all–let’s just not tell him that, okay??

Skinny Spinach Artichoke Dip

This spinach and artichoke dip recipe came about when I was craving a salty dip that I could sit down and eat without a whole lot of guilt.

It is creamy, yet not at all heavy tasting. This Spinach dip is full of incredible flavor and pairs perfectly with tortilla chips, veggie slices, pumpernickel bread, or pita chips. I can even eat it with a spoon!

Ingredients in Spinach Artichoke Dip

In order to make a lightened up version of this classic dip, it is important to choose your ingredients carefully.

• Spinach and artichokes–clearly important in Spinach Artichoke Dip
• Greek yogurt–I subbed out the mayonnaise found in most spinach dips for nonfat Greek yogurt. The Greek yogurt is fat-free but also creamy and full of flavor.
• Sour Cream: Use full-fat or reduced-fat sour cream or omit and use additional Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream.
• Neufchatel Cream Cheese: 1/3 less fat version of cream cheese than most recipes for spinach artichoke dip call for.
• Parmesan Cheese: freshly grated Parmesan cheese because a little goes a long way when giving flavor to this artichoke dip.
• Feta Cheese: Feta may not be traditional in most Spinach Artichoke dips, but Feta packs a huge flavor punch and therefore we can cut back on fat and calories in other ingredients.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Adds a cheesy, creaminess to the dip, but much less is used than typically called for.
• Lemon: It is essential to use fresh juice to really enhance and brighten this dish. The lemon and artichoke are a great match.
• Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes: when cutting back on calories and fat in dishes, a great trick is to use a lot of herbs and spices to enhance a dish with few calories and no added fat.

How to make Healthy Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Making this appetizer is as easy as mixing and baking. It could not be simpler to have a restaurant style Spinach Dip ready for your next party.

• Prepare the spinach
  • If you are using frozen spinach, be sure to defrost and then squeeze all the excess moisture out of your spinach. I have an old kitchen towel I have reserved for this–I just plop the spinach in the towel and squeeze it out over the sink. Then I wash the towel to be ready for the next time I need to remove liquid from defrosted spinach.
  • If you want to use fresh spinach, you will need about 8 ounces and will want to steam or saute the fresh spinach until wilted. You will still want to remove excess liquid from the cooked fresh spinach.
• Mix together the Spinach Artichoke Dip.
• Spread in baking dish (Tip: think of using a dish you want to present this dip in.)
• Bake until Spinach and Artichoke dip is warmed through and slightly browned on the top.

A few tips about Skinny Spinach Artichoke Dip:

• Do not use jarred lemon juice as the flavor will not be the same.
• If you want to use full fat cream cheese or full fat Greek yogurt for this recipe, that works just as well. It will add a few calories, but still be lighter than a spinach artichoke dip made with mayo and sour cream.
• If you don’t like spicy foods, you can cut back on the amount of garlic used and omit the red pepper flakes.
• If you want to use frozen artichoke hearts instead of jarred artichoke hearts, cook first and allow to cool slightly and use in this recipe as stated.
• In a pinch, you can use pre-grated Parmesan Cheese, but the flavor of freshly grated Parmesan can not be matched.
• If you happen to have leftover Spinach Dip, be sure to put it to use and make Spinach Artichoke Calzones. 

More Party Perfect Healthy Appetizer Recipes

• Skinny Corn Dip
• Buckeye Yogurt Dip
• Baked Chicken Wings from Fifteen Spatulas
• Grilled Jalapeno Poppers

Spinach Artichoke Dip

This easy spinach artichoke dip has been lightened up but still has all the flavors you crave and love! Not to mention this party appetizer is incredibly easy to make.

4.55 from 20 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 65kcal

Author: Kristen Chidsey

Ingredients

• 8 ounces reduced fat cream cheese room temperature
• 1/2 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup sour cream full-fat or reduced-fat
• 10 ounces frozen spinach defrosted and drained
• 1/2 cup jarred artichokes drained and chopped
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• 1/3 cup Feta cheese crumbled
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 1-quart baking dish.
• Defrost frozen spinach in microwave or overnight in the refrigerator. Place defrosted spinach in cheesecloth or clean kitchen towel and squeeze out excess moisture over the sink.
• Drain a 10-ounce jar of artichoke hearts and chop well, measure out 1/2 cup of artichokes to use for the dip.
• In a large mixing bowl cream the cream cheese, sour cream, and yogurt together until creamy and smooth.
• Add the spinach, artichokes, cheese, salt, lemon juice, garlic cloves, and red pepper flakes to the cream cheese mixture and mix together until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
• Transfer the mixture to the greased baking dish. 
• Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until warmed through and slightly browned on the top.
• Serve with veggies, tortilla chips or pita chips.

Notes

• Spinach Artichoke Dip will last for 3-4 days in the fridge. 
• Do NOT use fat-free cream cheese or sour cream, as the texture and taste will not be good. 
• To lighten up this Spinach Dip, even more, feel free to use plain yogurt in place of the sour cream. 
• To make this dip decadent, add use mayo in place of the yogurt and add in 1/4-1/2 cup more Mozzarella cheese. 

Nutrition Facts

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Amount Per Serving

Calories 65 Calories from Fat 27

% Daily Value*

Fat 3g5%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 11mg4%

Sodium 250mg11%

Potassium 152mg4%

Carbohydrates 3g1%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 6g12%

Vitamin A 2855IU57%

Vitamin C 1.7mg2%

Calcium 127mg13%

Iron 0.5mg3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

I would love to know how you enjoy this recipe!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram or Facebook - I would love to see!