This ever so dippable recipe for Pepper Jack Spinach Dip with Bacon is packed with flavor. Filled with spinach, onion, seasonings, smoky crumbled bacon and plenty of shredded pepper jack cheese, it just never disappoints.
Pepper Jack Spinach Dip with Bacon Recipe
There are few events where appetizers aren't involved, even if it's just a simple casual dinner with friends. I think appetizers set the tone for the meal, and they're a terrific way to keep people entertained while everyone arrives. When making this pepper jack spinach dip with bacon it's important to remove as much moisture as possible from the thawed spinach or it could cause the filling to breakdown. You can use a kitchen towel to remove the excess water from the spinach if needed, and you'll be good to go. Serve this Southern style spinach dip as a holiday snack or game day snacks, it's always a hit.
How to Make the Best Spinach Dip with Bacon
- When making this pepper jack spinach dip with bacon it's important to remove as much moisture as possible from the thawed spinach. If not, it could cause the filling to breakdown.
- What's the best way to remove the liquid from frozen spinach? You can use a kitchen towel to remove the excess water from the spinach if needed, or paper towels. When using paper towels, double them over and repeat the process with dry paper towels until the liquid has been removed. The beauty of paper towels is, they can be tossed when you're done for easy clean-up.
- If you're serving both vegetarians and carnivores, consider making a double batch and leaving the bacon out of one to suit everyone's taste.
- Can I use a different flavor of cheese? Of course, this recipe is flexible and the cheese can easily be adapted using the same amount.
- Can I omit the bacon? If you're serving both vegetarians and carnivores, consider making a double batch and leaving the bacon out of one to cater to everyone's taste.
- Can I add artichokes to spinach dip? If you'd like to make a classic checkout my recipe for Italian Spinach Artichoke Dip here.
- You can fully assemble this scratch made spinach dip one day in advance and pop it into the refrigerator to chill. Doing so, you'll have it ready to bake when just before serving hot from the oven.
- You can serve this easy spinach dip recipe with a variety of dippers. I recommend serving it with pita chips, crackers, Frito scoops or tortilla chips and it's usually one of the first appetizers to go.
- When can I serve it? Serve this as a holiday snack, small bite appetizer, for entertaining friends at a back yard barbecue or for part of your game day munchies it's always a hit.
- You may also like to try this gooey Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Bread via The View from Great Island.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
- Enamel Coated Cast Iron Skillet
- Rotary Cheese Grater
- 3 Tier Metal Display Snack Server
- Oven Safe Baking Rack
Pepper Jack Spinach Dip with Bacon
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 189kcal
Ingredients
- 1 16 oz package chopped frozen baby spinach thawed
- 1 8 oz container garden vegetable cream cheese softened
- 1 cup real mayonnaise
- 1 cup heavy cream or half & half
- 2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 green onion chopped
- 5 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 2 ½ cup shredded pepper jack cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Oil the bottom and sides of an 8-inch cast iron skillet or similar. Set aside.
- Thaw the spinach and squeeze to remove as much moisture as possible.
- In a medium size bowl, use a mixer to whip together the cream cheese, mayonnaise, heavy cream, garlic salt, onion powder and black pepper. Whip until creamy and combined around 1-2 minutes.
- By hand mix in the spinach, green onion, bacon and 1 ½ cup shredded cheese. Pour into the skillet.
- Top with the remaining cheese. Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly.
- Serve with pita crisps, tortilla chips or crackers for dipping.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 189kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 617mg | Potassium: 63mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 238IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 152mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!
My name is Melissa and I'm the Creator of Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen. Cooking, baking, developing recipes and kitchen tips is my passion. I love sharing my dishes and connecting with people through the food that I create.
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Lisa Burczyk
Your instructions are a bit unclear. #3 mixes the seasoning and creamy ingredients, and #4 mixes the "dry" ingredients, so I would guess # 5 would be to fold them together before pouring into skillet. The way they are written sounds like you want them layered.
Melissa
Clearly the recipe states what to do: From the recipe: In a medium size bowl, use a mixer to whip together the cream cheese, mayonnaise, heavy cream, garlic salt, onion powder and black pepper. Whip until creamy and combined around 1-2 minutes.
By hand mix in the spinach, green onion, bacon and 1 ½ cup shredded cheese. Pour into the skillet.
Samantha
I loved this! I used garlic powder instead of garlic salt and I added crab meat. Amazing! My family asks me to make this all the time now
Melissa
Love the addition of crab, thanks so much!
Carole D.
I thought this dip was a little bitter when I made it and couldn't taste the bacon very much ( I used a whole lb of bacon. I wonder if it can be sweetened up a little ?
Melissa
I can't imagine why you would find the flavor to be bitter unless the spinach was off. I wouldn't add sugar to this dip, if that's what you mean. One pound of bacon and you should surely taste it. Maybe use sweet onions next time.
Cindy
Could you use fresh spinach instead of the frozen?
Melissa
In the same amount, sure. You'll need far more than 10 ounces of fresh to be the equivalent of 10 ounces frozen.
Lisa
Can I make the pepper jack spinach dip ahead and bake it like a couple hours later?
Melissa
Yes, no problem at all. You can even assemble the night before, cover and chill. Then uncover and bake just before serving. When chilled, you may need to add to the baking time or allow 15 minutes at room temperature prior to baking.
Sharon
I freeze my spinach from my garden. I weighed out enough frozen spinach. Once it was thawed I only got 4 ounces of thawed and dried spinach. What equivalents does it make in ounces or cus thank you.
Sounds delicious . Going to make it for a holiday get together tomorrow.
Melissa
The amount of spinach needed will be the same. 16 ounces.
Sue
Hello, would I be able to make this recipe with my crockpot? I am going to the Packer game at a bar,,,, and we all bring a dish to pass. The Pepper Jack Spinach dip with bacon sounds amazing!
Melissa
Hi Sue, oh sure you can, no problem. On high for 1 1/2-2 hours then just keep warm. (Put doubled paper towels under the lid to keep condensation from dripping back down onto the dip while cooking.)
Deaana
What do you mean by whip? Use a mixer or by hand?
Melissa
Either one your preference.
Mary
Melissa, you usually leave Nutritional values 🙁
How bad are the calories and sodium?
Melissa
Hi Mary, there are actually several online calculators you can use for my recipes or any others you find online. My Fitness Pal is one.
Martha
I do not have one of those pans. Do you have any other suggestions for a pan I could use
Melissa
You can make this dip in any similar size oven safe skillet or baking dish, no problem.
Sara
Just made this and it's too salty!! Followed the recipe. Is there anything you can do to cut the salty taste?
Melissa
I've never had a concern about salt but, salt is like any spice it's purely subjective. Keep in mind, the mayonnaise you're using as well as the cheese sodium content as it all varies by brand. If you're ultra sensitive to it just cut back on the salt you add to it in the beginning.
April Leroy
To cut back on salt, add garlic powder instead of garlic salt. There is plenty of salt in the other ingredients and probably in the chips you will use.
Jessie
What brand is the skillet?
Melissa
It's a Threshold brand I purchased at Target.
Sarah
Hey..We don't use mayo.. Would Greek yogurt work in place of it?
Melissa
I think you could, sure.
Krista
Hello,
Just wondering if I could use regular cream cheese instead of the flavored cream cheese.Thanks
Melissa
You could, however the chive & onion cream cheese is seasoned and it's spreadable meaning it has a softer texture. If you use regular cream cheese, you won't really have the same results ans you would need to adjust the seasonings.
Kathy Habit
Your ingredients list garden vegetable cream cheese but one of your replies above mentions chive & onion cream cheese. Can you please clarify which you used?
Melissa
You can use either one go with your preference.
Liz
Sounds so good. Thank you.
Melissa
You're welcome Liz!
Fran
Its super delish! Made it for a Seahawks gathering today and guests raved about it! Will make it again!
Melissa
Yay, thanks for letting me know!