There’s something magical about a cold, creamy spinach dip at a gathering, no matter the holiday, season, or occasion; it always disappears first. This classic recipe is the one most of us grew up with: simple ingredients, plenty of texture from crunchy water chestnuts, and just enough savory seasoning to keep everyone coming back for more. It’s quick, dependable, and beloved; everything you want in a party appetizer.
My family has made this spinach dip for many years. It’s creamy, with cream cheese, chopped chestnuts, spinach, green onions, and Knorr Vegetable Soup Mix. It also has some mayonnaise and sour cream. It’s typically served in a bread bowl, or at least that’s how my family serves it. You can serve it with sliced baguettes, crackers, or vegetables. It’s so easy to make that you’ll want to make it for parties, football games, and neighborhood gatherings.
Oh, and don’t forget the holidays and all the get-togethers at that special time of year!
This recipe is a crowd-pleaser from the get-go. Be ready to hand out the recipe; most everyone loves the combination of items in this dip. It has been so fun making the cheese balls and delicious dips over the past couple of weeks. I hope you’ve taken the time to make them at your home; they are a real hit in my household. And if you love sourdough bread, it’s the perfect baguette for this one.
A Short History of Spinach Dip
Spinach dip gained popularity in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s as convenience foods like frozen spinach, packaged soup mixes, and water chestnuts became household staples. This iconic version is often linked to Knorr’s vegetable soup mix, which included a recipe on the back of the package, instantly making it a potluck legend. Served in a sourdough bread bowl, it became especially popular around holidays and remains a nostalgic favorite today.
Kitchen Items You May Need
- Handmixer or Stand Mixer
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring Cups
My Other Cheese Balls
- Mini Cheese Ball Bites
- Dried Beef Cheese Ball
- Pimento Cheese Ball
- The Classic Bacon Cheese Ball
- Old English Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- Sour Cream: Used to add more flavor to this dip. It has a 20% fat content. The cream is mixed with lactic acid, which creates the sour taste we all love! It also helps to thicken the cream.
- Mayonnaise: Also known as “mayo.” A thick and creamy sour dressing made of eggs, oil, vinegar, or lemon juice.
- Cream Cheese: Soft, creamy, mild-tasting cheese made with milk and cream. The perfect cheese for this appetizer!
- Water Chestnuts (diced): They add a crisp, crunchy texture and a sweet, mild, yet nutty flavor to this delicious appetizer!
- Green Onions: Green onions, or “scallions,” are typically named for a long, thin, tubular edible plant with an oniony flavor.
- Knorr Vegetable Recipe Mix: A savory blend of finely ground vegetables that, when combined with sour cream, mayonnaise, and cream cheese, creates the perfect base for this dip.
- Spinach: A mild-tasting leafy green that is high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Bread Soup Bowl (for dipping and presentation): A sourdough or French bread soup bowl is perfect for presentation, and the hollowed-out inner bread chunks are used for dipping.
Easy-To-Make Spinach Dip
Step One: Gather Ingredients
Gathering the ingredients is my very favorite thing to do. Then I start to work, doing my magic as I make the recipe. Life is so good! Knorr Vegetable Recipe Mix
Step Two: Soften Cream Cheese
You see, the recipe lists only one 8-ounce block of cream cheese. Well, I doubled this recipe, so I’m ready for the upcoming holiday weekend since we’ll have more family and friends visiting. That’s why you see two cream cheese chunks softening right now.
Step Three: Drain the Spinach
Drain the spinach, then press it to remove any excess moisture. You don’t want any water in the dip.
Step Four: Combine Ingredients
Then add the mayonnaise, sour cream, green onions, and the dry soup mixture to the cream cheese in the bowl, and mix well.
Step Five: Mix until Smooth
Mix until smooth.
Step Six: Add Chestnuts
Fold in the chopped chestnuts.
Finished Product
Today, I used an eight-inch loaf of French bread because it was cheaper than the round sourdough loaf. It works okay, although I like the sturdier sourdough loaves.
You basically cut off the top at an angle, remove some of the bread from the inside of the round loaf, and set it aside until it’s time to fill the loaf with the dip. It not only looks great, but you can eat the dip-soaked bread when the dip is gone.
Easy-To-Make Spinach Dip Recipe
Easy-To-Make Spinach Dip
Ingredients
- 16 -ounces sour cream
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1- 8-ounce cream cheese softened
- 1-8 ounce chestnuts, drained and chopped
- 1 bunch green onions, chopped fine
- 1.4 -ounce package Knorr Vegetable Recipe Mix
- 1-10 ounce package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
- Bread chunks, or vegetables for dipping
Instructions
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Soften the cream cheese.
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Drain the spinach, and then press down on the spinach to remove any excess moisture.
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Then add the mayonnaise, sour cream, green onions, and the dry soup mixture to the bowl of cream cheese, and mix well.
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Add the chopped chestnuts, and mix until smooth.
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I used an eight-inch round loaf of French bread (for the "bowl") today because it was cheaper than the sourdough round loaf. It works okay, although I like the sturdier sourdough loaves. You basically cut out the top on an angle, remove some of the bread inside the round loaf, and set it aside.
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Fill the "bread bowl" with the spinach dip
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This recipe is similar to the Knorr package.
Can I use a different dry soup mix?
Yes, you can, but it would change the flavor. Why not experiment? It makes food prep more of an adventure. I love new recipes.
Can I use low-fat mayonnaise?
I know people use low-fat mayonnaise, but to me, it tastes weird. Hey, why not save on some calories, right?
How do I store this recipe after making it?
I recommend storing this dip in an airtight container. It will last for 3-5 days if stored correctly in the fridge.
Can I freeze it?
I haven’t frozen my dips. You could try it and see if it affects the texture. I like my dips fresh, whenever possible.
What can I serve with it?
- French bread baguettes
- Sourdough baguettes
- Crackers
- Crostini Sliced (see below)
What is Crostini?
There’s something undeniably charming about a simple slice of toasted bread that becomes the perfect canvas for endless flavor. That’s the magic of crostini— crisp, golden little toasts that add instant elegance to any gathering. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, setting out a cozy appetizer board, or just elevating a quiet night at home, crostini turn even the most ordinary ingredients into something special.
What I love most about crostini is how beautifully uncomplicated they are. A drizzle of olive oil, a few minutes in the oven, and suddenly you have the base for everything from creamy dips to fresh tomatoes to luxurious cheeses and spreads. They’re light, crunchy, and sturdy enough to hold whatever delicious topping you’re dreaming up.
Crostini also have a timeless appeal. They feel rustic yet refined—like something you’d casually enjoy on a patio in Italy but can whip up effortlessly in your own kitchen. And because they’re made from a simple baguette, they’re as budget-friendly as they are beautiful.
Whether you’re pairing them with your favorite spinach dip, creating a bruschetta bar, or serving them alongside a charcuterie board, crostini are one of those little kitchen secrets that transform a table. Once you start making them, you’ll wonder how you ever entertained without a plate of these crisp, golden bites.
Classic Crostini Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Baguette, sliced into ½-inch slices
- 3-4 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1-2 Cloves of garlic, cut in half) (optional for rubbing)
- Salt (optional)Freshly cracked black pepper (optional)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to (400°F) = 204°C)
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Arrange bread slices on a baking sheet in a single layer.
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Brush lightly with olive oil on both sides.
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Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper if desired.
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Bake 7–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp.
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(Optional) When warm, rub each piece with the cut side of a garlic clove for classic Italian flavor.
Tips
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For extra crunch, bake closer to 10–12 minutes.
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For softer centers, slice slightly thicker.
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Great topped with: spinach dip, bruschetta, goat cheese + honey, or smoked salmon.
Final Word
Please let me know if you make an easy-to-make spinach dip like this. Is it different, is it the same recipe? I love to hear from you. Please stay safe and stay well. May God bless this world, Linda
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