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Spicy Italian Sausage Spinach Dip Recipe

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4.3 from 11 reviews

This Spicy Italian Sausage Dip is a crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for game days or gatherings. Made with flavorful hot Italian sausage, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a blend of cheeses, this creamy dip is baked until bubbly and golden. Topped with fresh basil and served hot with crostini, crackers, or fresh vegetables, it’s a deliciously spicy and savory starter everyone will love.

Ingredients

Meat and Vegetables

  • 1 lb hot Italian sausage
  • 1/2 cup diced onion (about 1 small onion)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (omit for a milder dish)
  • 14.5 oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes (substitute regular diced tomatoes if preferred)
  • 2 cups baby spinach, chopped

Cheese and Dairy

  • 12 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided

Other

  • 3/4 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil, thinly sliced, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Cook Sausage Mixture: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the hot Italian sausage, diced onions, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cook for about 5 minutes, breaking up the sausage with a wooden spoon until fully cooked. Stir in the fire-roasted diced tomatoes and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
  2. Add Spinach and Remove from Heat: Add the chopped baby spinach to the skillet and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the spinach is wilted. Remove the skillet from heat.
  3. Mix Cream Cheese and Cheeses with Sausage Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, chopped pepperoncini peppers, 1/4 cup of grated parmesan, and 1.5 cups of shredded mozzarella. Pour the cooked sausage and spinach mixture over the cheese blend and mix thoroughly until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Assemble and Bake: Pour the combined mixture into a baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup parmesan and 1/2 cup mozzarella evenly over the top. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes until the dip is bubbly and the cheese on top is golden brown.
  5. Optional Broil and Garnish: For a crispier, browned cheese topping, broil the dip for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning. Remove from the oven, garnish with thinly sliced fresh basil, and serve hot.
  6. Serve: Enjoy the dip warm with crostini, crackers, or fresh vegetables for dipping.

Notes

  • Omit red pepper flakes to reduce spiciness for a milder version.
  • You can substitute regular diced tomatoes if fire-roasted is unavailable.
  • Broiling at the end is optional but adds a nice golden crust to the cheese topping.
  • Make sure the cream cheese is softened for easier mixing.
  • This dip pairs well with various dippers such as toasted baguette slices, pretzels, or raw vegetable sticks.

Find it online: https://bitezly.com/spicy-italian-sausage-spinach-dip-recipe/