This Stovetop Spinach Dip recipe is a reader favorite since 2009. It’s so delicious for so many reasons and best of all, it takes less than 20 minutes to make! But it depends how fast you cut your onions. If you’re speedy, then this dip will only take about 15 minutes.

holding chip in hot stovetop spinach dip recipe

Video: Hot Stovetop Spinach Dip Recipe

Stovetop Spinach Dip Recipe

I’m admitting that I have an eating issue when it comes to anything warm, rich, cheesy and gooey. Add a bold red glass of wine and a crusty baguette, I’ll inhale a big bowl of any cheese dip that was accidentally left in front of me.

It’s not often that I make my appetizer dips outside of the oven. But when my brother #2, who also happens to be my #1 dip fan, made one of my appetizer dips on the stove op,  I screamed out loud in dip mutiny. How could he rip apart my recipe and cook it in 15 minutes in a FRYING PAN?! I’ve always nurtured all my dips in the oven for about one hour and patiently waited out the long bake time. I never, ever considered changing my cooking technique.  Why mess with perfection?

“It’s good, try it,” he told me. Brother #2 has always been a quiet, gentle guy of few words. So when he made the effort to share his ideas, it was powerful enough to  convince me to pull out my cast iron pan, think out side of the oven and give my warm spinach dip a try via the stove top.

Quick and Easy Spinach Dip in less than 20 Minutes

Lo and behold, he was right on the money. I made my stovetop spinach dip in a frying pan and within 10 minutes I had a rich, cheesy, beautifully melted and flavored dip that rivaled the 60 long minutes of oven cooking. I couldn’t believe how fast, and well combined all the ingredients came together in the frying pan. The flavors  of this spinach dip were actually BETTER in this stove top method because I was able to caramelize the onions and garlic until they became fragrant. The oven version never had that same caramelized epiphany.

I’m completely hooked to my brothers fast technique on this stovetop spinach dip and am thankful for his bachelor style cooking methods. But I blame him for making me eat this spinach dip more often because it’s so EASY! Thanks Bro! – Diane

hot stovetop spinach dip pan with chips
holding chip in hot stovetop spinach dip recipe

Stovetop Spinach Dip Recipe in 20 Minutes (or Baked)

Yield: 8 Servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
The best part about this dip recipe is that it's quick and made on the stovetop. You can also make this ahead of time, and bake it in an oven proof dish right before serving.
Pre-make: The night before a party, I've also pre-made large batches of this dip and placed them in baking dishes and chilled them in the fridge. When the party day arrives, I'll take out the dip and allow it to come to room temperature, then bake it at 350°F for about 20 minutes or until all the cheese is completely melted and hot.
5 from 8 votes
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Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) vegetable oil
  • 1 medium onion , minced
  • 3 cloves garlic , minced or crushed (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 8 oz. (227 g) canned water chestnuts , drained & chopped
  • 10 oz. (284 g) package frozen chopped spinach , thawed & squeezed dry of excess water
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) fresh cracked black pepper , or to taste
  • 8 oz. (227 g) cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup (56 g) mayonnaise
  • 1 cup (100 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese , or more for a broiled top
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk
  • chips, crackers, or vegetables for dipping

Instructions 

  • Chop onions, garlic and canned water chestnuts. Set aside.
    chopped water chestnuts
  • Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add 2 Tablespoons oil. When oil is hot, add the minced onions and garlic. Cook the onions and garlic, stirring frequently, until they are light brown but not burnt, about 2 minutes. If you're using garlic powder, add it after the onions are browned.
    browning onions
  • Add chopped water chestnuts, spinach, 1 teaspoon salt and black pepper. Cook for about 3 minutes until ingredients are combined well.
    adding spinach and water chestnuts
  • Add 8 oz. cream cheese, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 cup parmesan cheese, and 1/2 cup of milk. When cream cheese begins to melt, turn heat to low.
    adding milk and cheeses
  • Slowly stir and simmer ingredients until all cheese is completely melted and dip becomes creamy and well combined. Cook for about another 2-3 minutes to blend flavors together.
    stirring until creamy
  • At this point you can serve warm and enjoy. Serve immediately when it's warm with bread, crackers or tortilla chips.
    But if you want a crispy cheese crust, then continue to next steps in recipe.
    dip with tortilla chips
  • Add about 1/2 cup cheese over the dip.
    extra cheese over dip
  • Broil or bake at 500°F/260°C for about 5 minutes or until cheese melts and creates a crust.
    broiling dip for crust
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool before serving.
    chip dip

Video

Nutrition Information per Serving

Calories: 279kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.04g, Cholesterol: 44mg, Sodium: 679mg, Potassium: 287mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 4675IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 211mg, Iron: 1mg
Course: Appetizer, Dips
Cuisine: American
Calories: 279

More Easy Dip Recipes:

If you enjoy this hot spinach dip recipe, then here’s more appetizers to devour. Here’s our artichoke spinach dip if you prefer artichokes over water chestnuts.

chip filled with stovetop spinach dip