What’s better than veggies?
Well, in my opinion… everything.
But the real answer is veggies sauteed in bacon grease. Naturally.
Warning: this is not your run-of-the-mill spinach dip. Been there, done that.
A few weeks ago my uncle made a spinach dip for a party and it was so good that I nearly ate the entire dish myself. That is nothing out of the norm, but this was really good. I am not quite sure what all went into it, but what I do remember is spinach, mushrooms, red peppers and bacon.
The best part? You can eat this hot or cold. You can saute the veggies or you can just mix them into the dip. Versatile, simple and delicious.
Then you can eat an entire bag of pita chips too.
It’s strongly encouraged. Plus, it’s the holiday season. Calories are free.
I used a bunch of crumbled gorgonzola in my dip because I’m freaky like that.
But I know that for many of you, any form of cheese in the blue gives you the heebie jeebies. No need to add the blue. Add some feta or goat or cheddar… or even none at all. Make this your dip!
Pop it in the oven, twiddle your thumbs, pace until it’s done, then dig in.
Use a cracker. Or a chip. Or a spoon. Or your finger.
Or even another veggie. Did I really just say that?
I’m not really sure where I went, but I need to go find me.
Kicked-Up Spinach Dip
makes about 3 cups of dip
8 ounces (1 block) cream cheese, softened
8 ounces sour cream
4 slices bacon
1/2 medium sweet onion, chopped
1/4 red pepper, chopped
1/4 green pepper, chopped
1/2 cup chopped mushrooms
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 bag spinach
1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese (or cheese of your choice)
Preheat oven to 375.
In a large skillet, fry bacon, then set aside to drain on a paper towel, leaving grease in skillet. On medium heat, add onions and peppers with a pinch of salt and saute until soft, about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and saute 5 more minutes. Add garlic and spinach, stirring until spinach wilts. Set aside.
In a large bowl, mix cream cheese and sour cream with a hand mixer (or even just a spoon – just make sure it is combined). Fold in spinach, pepper, and mushroom mixture. Fold in blue cheese or cheese of choice. Fold in bacon.
Pour dip in an oven-safe dish and bake for 20 minutes, until top is golden brown and dip is warm. Serve with pita chips, crackers, bread and veggies.
I’m fairly certain I got 4-5 servings of veggies by eating this.
I won’t tell you how much I had to eat to get those veggies. But at least I got them. I give myself and “A” for effort.
I’m Jessica and this is where I share my stuff. You will find a balance of healthy recipes, comfort food and indulgent desserts.
Much better than eating a salad!
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Thanks Uncle Howsweet!! This is amazing – I didn’t have mushrooms so I used artichoke hearts!! Yummy! Merry Christmas!!
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I made this Christmas Eve as an appetizer for my family and they completely devoured it!! Even my Stepmom who doesnt eat anything other than salad and grilled chicken (and the occasional Little Debbie Oatmel Cream Pie) loved it! The exact quote from my brother was: “I dont even like over half the stuff in here but this is AMAZING!!”
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I made this for Christmas and doubled the recipe for New Years and it freaking rocks! They ate until the crackers were gone and then dipped whatever else they could find in it. Kids that don’t like anything ate it. My husband made a quesadilla with it the next day (while I was sleeping and did not share. ass.) and loved it! Thank you for a sure hit recipe!
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Jessica — January 3rd, 2011 @ 8:12 pm
A quesadilla with it sounds DIVINE!
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AMAZINGness.
What other cheeses could you see being used in this? Blue cheese just doesn’t sound very appetizing….? Can you even tell?
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Delicious Vegetarian Salad.Lovely to Eat.
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Loving your kicked up Spinach Dip. Does this count as a serving of veggies??
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Damn, this looks incredible! Stumbled for ya!
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do you know how many calories are in the entire dip or divided by four?
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Is it possible to do this without the bacon? Or a good veggie substitute?
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Jessica — February 9th, 2012 @ 5:30 pm
Definitely! I would use your favorite sub or just leave it out.
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Made this last night, absolutely delicious with pita crackers. I’ve seriously made something of yours like every night since I discovered this blog.
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I just made this: HEAVEN!
waaaaay better than store bought!
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What’s a good substitute if you don’t want to use blue cheese?
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Recipe was great! Make sure you add salt to taste, I feel it needs more but tastes differ with everyone so…I used feta instead of Blue Cheese. Spinach and Feta are a win every time. Maybe I would also use 3/4 the cream cheese and sc. 6oz each instead. Seemed like a little much or maybe it needed more spinach. Either way this was fun thanks!
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love it
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Made this dip yesterday and it was phenomenal!
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