Best “Healthified” Spinach Artichoke Dip

So you guys — this spinach artichoke dip is amazing!  Dreamy, creamy and clean eatin’ ! It has been far too long since we’ve indulged in artichoke dip and this “healthified” version did not disappoint. 

Goat Cheese!

I am loving being able to eat goat cheese!  I’m making so many old favorite comfort foods again.  Especially, dips and apps I haven’t had in forever.  

I made fried goat mozzarella cheese sticks.  We even made pimento cheese with a smoky goat gouda.  Then another pimento cheese with mild goat cheddar.

I started to try goat’s milk cheese and yogurt after learning that the casein protein is digested differently than that from cow’s milk (read more about why here).  

When I found creamy goat cheese at Trader Joe’s similar in texture to cream cheese without the harsh goaty tang –

my

first

thought

was

creamy spinach artichoke dip (with organic veggies, of course)!  

YUM.

And it turned out so amazing if I do say so myself.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

The first time I had artichoke dip was at a Holiday potluck party in graduate school in the late 1990’s.  And like I always react to delicious new foods – I started to obsess and ask who brought it, how did you make it, what is this amazing thing I’m eating.  

The response was that I didn’t really want to know what was in it.  But I did.  I really did!

And it was literally –> 2 cups of mayo, 2 cups of Kraft Parmesan powdery “cheese” and 2 cans of artichokes!  

Holy sh*t that was good.  

I started to make it for every party and people had the same reaction I did.  I also kept telling people they really didn’t want to know what was in it either…  just enjoy it!  

We’ve made various versions over the years, including spinach, cream cheese, and used a variety of different cheeses.

But we haven’t made it since 2014, when I finally had to stop eating dairy because it was ripping up my digestive system.  

What we thought was a lactose intolerance is more likely a reaction to casein.  I’m still not sure why I can eat some Parmesan cheese (maybe cause it is aged), but I’ll take it.

We’ve been making a healthier version of homemade mayo with avocado oil and organic ingredients, too.  Recipe is below in the notes.

So Brett whips up a batch of the homemade mayo and we use half in this recipe.  And usually have another recipe with mayo the next day.  

We’ve fallen in love with homemade Caesar salad dressing because you only have to add a few more ingredients to the mayo and you’ve got a quick and delicious dinner!

This is where menu planning really helps prevent waste and even potential food poisoning. 🙂

Want More Goat Cheese Comfort Food Recipes?

• Spinach Goat Feta Puff Pastry
• Ranch Cream Cheese Cucumber Bites
• Pepperoni Pizza Bites
• Goat Cheese Alfredo Sauce
• White Chicken Enchilada Casserole
• Smoked Gouda Broccoli Cheese Rice
• Twice Baked Potatoes
• Cheesesteak Casserole

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“Healthified” Spinach Artichoke Dip | Gluten-Free

Try this “healthified” gluten-free version of spinach artichoke dip made with freshly grated Parmesan, goat’s milk creamy cheese and mayo.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword healthy spianch artichoke dip

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 4

Author Deana Larkin Evans

Ingredients

• 2 cups roughly chopped organic baby spinach
• 1 can non-GMO or organic artichoke hearts
• 3 organic green onions
• 1 cup grated aged Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup homemade mayo (or your favorite GF mayo)
• 4.5 oz Trader Joe’s goat’s milk creamy cheese
• Dash of GF hot sauce (Franks RedHot)

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Place the roughly chopped spinach in a small skillet and heat for a few minutes until wilted. Set aside to cool. 
   

3. Rinse and chop the artichoke hearts, discarding any tough outer leaves.
   

4. Rinse and chop the green onions.
   

5. Mix together the grated Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, goat’s milk creamy cheese and dash of hot sauce. Fold in the green onions, spinach and artichokes. Transfer to a small baking dish.
   

6. Bake for about 20-25 minutes (bubbling at the edges).  Let cool a bit before digging in! Serve with GF chips, bread or crackers.
   

Recipe Notes

We make the homemade mayo with 1 egg + 1 egg yolk, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp organic cane sugar, 2 tsp lemon juice, 1/4 tsp dry mustard powder, and 1 cup of avocado oil. Combine ingredients in a large mouth jar and let sit for 15-20 minutes so the oil separates. Blend with an immersion blender directly in the jar. And voila – easy healthified homemade mayo.