Loaded Spinach and Artichoke Dip (No Mayo!)

This loaded spinach and artichoke dip with no mayo, no cream cheese, and a boost of extra veggies is full of flavor and nutrition for a hearty twist on a classic appetizer! Served warm with bread chunks or crispy pita chips, this is a healthy chip dip recipe that you and all of your guests will love!

cast iron spinach and artichoke dip no mayo.

One of my all time favorite dips is a warm spinach artichoke dip. Served in a toasted bread bowl or paired with chips of your choice, I have always found this classic recipe to be one of the best on any appetizer table!

Naturally, I wanted to make my own delicious spinach and artichoke dip but with a dietitians twist on the recipe. This is a fully loaded and creamy spinach artichoke dip with no mayo, no cream cheese, higher protein and double the veggies than most recipes you will find on the internet. Plus it’s delicious!

Each bite is loaded with nutrient dense artichoke hearts and sautéed spinach, protein packed with ricotta cheese and greek yogurt, perfectly seasoned and then baked to perfection with a sprinkle of bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.

With each chip loaded with nutritious flavor, you’ll love dipping into this healthy spinach and artichoke dip and just about any party you go to!

wooden spoon in cast iron spinach and artichoke dip.

Why you’ll love this greek yogurt spinach and artichoke dip:

You’ll love this high protein spinach and artichoke dip because it:

  • Has no mayo and no cream cheese: Yes, and you won’t miss them! Making a creamy spinach and artichoke dip with no mayo and no cream cheese may feel intimidating but seasoned ricotta cheese and nonfat greek yogurt are the perfect substitutes in this recipe.

  • Is loaded with veggies: This recipe is packed with onion, chopped artichoke hearts, and sautéed spinach for a veggie rich bite. Take my word for it, this dip is HEARTY! If you prefer a creamier spinach artichoke dip, simply scale back on your portions of the veggies here.

  • Higher in protein: To make this artichoke and spinach dip healthy, I chose to mix mine with ricotta cheese and non-fat greek yogurt which not only cut back on the fat content but also make for a higher protein chip dip!

  • Pairs well with a variety of dippers: Pair this no mayo spinach and artichoke dip with carrot sticks, pita chips, classic tortilla chips, or sourdough bread chunks.

  • Is baked in a cast iron skillet: Aside from a classic bread bowl, cast iron spinach and artichoke dip always presents beautifully on the table so I recommend prepping this recipe in a medium cast iron skillet. Don’t have one? Any oven safe dish will work!

  • Customizable: As with most of my recipes, you can make this dip work for you! I love a hearty spinach and artichoke dip (I also LOVE artichoke hearts) but you can always scale back on how much of each ingredient you add to make a chunkier or creamier artichoke dip.

You’re going to love this creamy chip dip recipe. Let’s get to the ingredients:

Chip dipped into greek yogurt spinach and artichoke dip no mayo.

Ingredients for my spinach artichoke dip without mayo:

To make this recipe you’ll need:

  1. White onion: Fined diced.

  2. Garlic: minced.

  3. Oil: Or butter. We will just need 1 tbsp to sauté your onion, garlic, and spinach in!

  4. Canned artichoke hearts: Drained and finely diced. Use the entire can for an extra hearty dip!

  5. Spinach: Fresh, frozen, or canned (and drained) will work for this recipe. I recommend fresh for best results and if you use frozen spinach you may need to drain excess liquid it gives off while cooking.

  6. Shredded mozzarella cheese: For an extra boost of flavor.

  7. Non-fat greek yogurt: Choose an unflavored greek yogurt option for the higher protein content and thicker consistency!

  8. Ricotta cheese: If you want to really boost the protein content you could also make this spinach artichoke dip with cottage cheese instead of the ricotta cheese here.

  9. Italian breadcrumbs: For a crispy topping!

  10. Parmesan cheese: PLEASE use freshly shredded parmesan cheese so that it melts and looks pretty on top. Parmesan cheese in the bag will not melt the way you want it to.

  11. Seasonings: You’ll need smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic salt, and pepper. Do not sell yourself short on the seasonings, they really are key for making this greek yogurt artichoke and spinach dip a little less tangy and a lot more delicious!

. You’re going to love it!

Step by Step Instructions:

Now let’s walk through how to make this healthier spinach and artichoke dip. The best part? It comes together in just a few steps and only makes a few pans dirty (especially if you use a cast iron skillet).

1) Warm the oil in your cast iron skillet (or a medium sauce pan) over medium heat then add your diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 3-5 minutes or until softened and fragrant.

how to make spinach and artichoke dip in a cast iron skillet.

2) While your onions and garlic cook, thoroughly chop your fresh spinach then add it to your cast iron skillet and saute for another 3 minutes or until fully reduced.

While I recommend using fresh, you can use frozen or canned spinach (thats been drained) for this recipe as well. Using frozen or canned may require different sautéing times to thaw and reduce so keep that in mind. They may also release extra liquid that you should drain off once it has cooked!

how to make spinach and artichoke dip in a cast iron skillet.

3) While your spinach reduces, drain and finely dice your artichoke hearts. Pour your onion and spinach mixture into a medium bowl then add your greek yogurt, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, finely diced artichoke hearts, and your seasonings then give it a good mix until combined.

LTN Tip: Remember, this recipe is LOADED with both spinach and artichoke hearts. If you prefer a lighter amount of veggies in your dip, I would recommend scaling back on the amount of artichoke hearts you add and only add about half of the can after you dice them.

how to make spinach and artichoke dip.

4) Pour your greek yogurt spinach and artichoke dip back into your cast iron skillet then lightly top with Italian bread crumbs (not too many) and some freshly grated parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes then broil on high for 2-3 minutes or until the top is golden brown and cheese is melted.

how to make spinach and artichoke dip in a cast iron skillet.

5) Serve your spinach and artichoke dip warm with chunks of sourdough bread or pita chips. Enjoy!

cast iron spinach and artichoke dip healthy.

Swaps, substitutions, and serving suggestions:

Some suggestions would be to:

  • Save the mayo: This recipe is for a spinach and artichoke dip with no mayo… but that doesn’t mean you need to make it that way. If you prefer mayo over greek yogurt, keep it in!

  • Add some spice: If you want to crank up the heat on your spinach and artichoke dip then I would add 1 tsp of red pepper flakes to your seasonings.

  • Change what you serve it with: Looking for what to eat with spinach and artichoke dip? Some of my favorite pairings are carrot sticks, pita chips, bread chunks, pita bread, and a classic tortilla chip.

  • Bake it in a bread bowl: I served this as a cast iron spinach and artichoke dip because I love the look of cast iron skillets but you can easily bake this chip dip in a bread bowl instead!

  • Add more protein: If you want to really make this greek yogurt spinach and artichoke dup high protein then you can swap the ricotta cheese for cottage cheese which will save the texture but add an extra protein boost.

Make this recipe your own and tag me on instagram with any fun ideas you come up with!

baked greek yogurt spinach and artichoke dip.

Recipe FAQ:

  1. Help, my parmesan didn’t melt!

    1. Always make sure that you use freshly grated or shredded parmesan cheese, not the parmesan cheese in the bag! The bagged shredded parmesan cheese has ingredients in it that keep it from melting properly.

  2. How to store spinach and artichoke dip.

    1. If you have leftover spinach and artichoke dip then I would recommend storing it in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days You can then warm it in the microwave it or reheat it in the oven and enjoy throughout the week!

  3. Should I serve this dip warm or cold?

    1. Absolutely serve this dip warm! It not only tastes the best when it’s warmed but it will also have the best texture.

Other healthy dip recipes you will love:

If you love this greek yogurt spinach and artichoke dip with no mayo then you’ll love some of my other healthy dip recipes like:

2 Ingredient Cottage Cheese Ranch Dip

“Salted Caramel” Peanut Butter Fruit Dip

Cilantro Avocado Yogurt Dip (or dressing)

Greek Yogurt Buffalo Chicken Dip

Blended Peanut Butter Cottage Cheese

Yield: 5 cups
Author: Lauren Twigge
Loaded Spinach and Artichoke Dip (No Mayo!)

Loaded Spinach and Artichoke Dip (No Mayo!)

This healthy spinach and artichoke dip with no mayo, no cream cheese, and loaded with extra veggies is full of flavor and nutrition that you and all of your guests will love!
Prep time: 10 MinTotal time: 10 Min

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Add your oil to a medium cast iron skillet (or medium sauce pan) and warm over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add your diced white onion and your garlic and saute for 5 minutes or until fragrant.
  3. While your onions saute, chop your spinach. Add your spinach to your onion mixture and saute for another 2 minutes until your spinach is reduced.
  4. Pour your onions and spinach into a medium mixing bowl then add your greek yogurt, ricotta cheese, chopped artichoke hearts, mozzarella cheese, and your seasonings. Stir until fully combined and adjust seasonings as needed.
  5. Add your spinach and artichoke dip back into your cast iron skillet (or an 8x8 baking dish) and evenly top with breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese to taste.
  6. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes then broil on high for 2-3 minutes until the top is golden. Serve warm with bread chunks, pita chips, or veggies and enjoy!

*All nutrition information has been approximated. Results may vary depending on brands used and serving size.


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Hey! I’m Lauren

I’m a Registered Dietitian and busy toddler mom committed to bringing you delicious, nutritious, and easy-to-make recipes!

 
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