Super Bowl Spinach Dip in Bread (Printer-friendly)
A warm, creamy spinach dip nestled in a crusty bread bowl—ideal for sharing and entertaining.
# What You'll Need:
→ Bread Bowl
01 - 1 large round sourdough loaf, approximately 1 pound
→ Spinach Dip
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
06 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
07 - 1 cup sour cream
08 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
09 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
10 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
14 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
→ For Serving
15 - Extra bread cubes from bread bowl interior
16 - Raw vegetables including carrots, celery, and bell peppers, sliced
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
02 - Slice off the top of the sourdough round and hollow out the center, leaving approximately 1 inch of shell to form a bowl. Cut the removed bread into cubes for dipping.
03 - In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
04 - Stir in the spinach and cook for 2 to 3 minutes to remove any excess moisture.
05 - In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Mix until smooth.
06 - Add the cooked spinach mixture, mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes if using, and nutmeg. Stir until well combined.
07 - Spoon the dip mixture into the hollowed bread bowl. Place bread bowl on a baking sheet.
08 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the dip is hot and bubbly and the top is lightly golden.
09 - Serve immediately with bread cubes and vegetable sticks for dipping.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The contrast between the golden, crusty sourdough exterior and the creamy, cheesy interior creates a presentation that always draws people away from the TV, even during crucial game moments.
- Everything can be prepped ahead so youre not missing the action in the kitchen while everyone else is having fun.
02 -
- After countless soggy disasters, I discovered placing the filled bread bowl on a cooling rack on top of a baking sheet allows hot air to circulate underneath, keeping the bottom crusty.
- Covering the exposed top edges of the bread bowl with foil for the first 15 minutes prevents them from burning while the dip heats through.
03 -
- For an extra-decadent version, sprinkle another quarter cup of mozzarella on top during the final 5 minutes of baking for a golden, stretchy cheese pull that wows everyone.
- If your bread bowl springs a leak during baking, dont panic simply transfer everything to a ceramic baking dish, tear the bread into chunks, and present it as a deconstructed version.