If you’re looking for an appetizer destined to steal the spotlight, you’ve got to try this Marry Me Dip. Gooey, cheesy, and packed with sun-dried tomatoes and vibrant spinach, every bite delivers a cozy-tangy punch that might just win you a few marriage proposals (or at least some serious recipe requests) at your next gathering.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crowd-Pleaser: The creamy, melty cheese and bold sun-dried tomato flavors make this irresistible at any gathering.
- Ready in 30 Minutes: Perfect for last-minute plans—Marry Me Dip goes from pantry to party in about half an hour.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare it in advance, then bake just before serving for stress-free entertaining.
- Versatile & Customizable: Swap in different cheeses or greens to suit your taste or what’s in your fridge!
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes Marry Me Dip extra special is the way simple, everyday ingredients join forces and create flavor magic. Each one brings its own personality—creamy, tangy, cheesy, or herby—and together, they give the dip that swoon-worthy flavor and texture.
- Sun-dried tomatoes in oil: Their concentrated, slightly sweet flavor adds pops of vibrant tang throughout the dip.
- Sun-dried tomato oil: Used to sauté the garlic, this oil infuses extra tomatoey richness right from the start.
- Minced garlic: Nothing like sautéed garlic to deliver that savory aromatic base.
- Tomato paste: Brings depth and a subtle umami backbone to balance all the creamy notes.
- Cream cheese: For that essential, luscious smoothness and body—be sure it’s softened for easier mixing!
- Sour cream: Adds a tangy lightness that keeps each bite from feeling too heavy.
- Frozen cut leaf spinach: Thawed and well-drained spinach delivers an earthy green freshness and extra color.
- Parmesan cheese: Salty, nutty, and fabulously melty—parmesan gives the dip its signature savory punch.
- Italian seasoning: This blend of herbs ties all the Italian-inspired flavors together in one sprinkle.
- Freshly ground black pepper & kosher salt: Essential for seasoning and amplifying every other flavor.
- Low-moisture part-skim mozzarella: Adds that bubbly, stretchy cheese pull we all love—save some for the golden top!
- Fresh basil: Torn basil right before serving gives a gorgeous pop of color and irresistible aroma.
- Crostini toast: The perfect sturdy vehicle for scooping up all that decadent dip—use crackers or baguette slices if you want to mix it up.
Variations
The beauty of Marry Me Dip is how effortlessly it adapts to what you have or how you eat. Whether you’re craving a twist or making it fit a dietary need, a few simple swaps can make it your own!
- Spicy Marry Me Dip: Add crushed red pepper flakes or chopped Calabrian chilies for a gentle heat that lingers after every bite.
- Herby Version: Stir in a handful of chopped fresh parsley or thyme to brighten up the flavor profile.
- Artichoke Spinach Marry Me Dip: Fold in drained, chopped artichoke hearts for an extra tangy, Mediterranean flair.
- Lightened Up: Use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream, light cream cheese, or low-fat mozzarella for a lighter feel that’s still totally satisfying.
How to Make Marry Me Dip
Step 1: Sauté Aromatics
Begin by heating a tablespoon of that flavorful sun-dried tomato oil in your skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and tomato paste, stirring constantly—the garlic should become ultra fragrant and the tomato paste slightly deepened in color after 2 to 3 minutes. This step lays down a rich, savory base for the entire dip.
Step 2: Fold in the Creaminess
Pull the skillet off the heat, then immediately add the cubes of softened cream cheese and sour cream. Whisk until everything melts together into a dreamy, smooth mixture—this is where the Marry Me magic starts to happen!
Step 3: Add the Greens and Cheese
Next, gently fold in the well-drained spinach, grated parmesan, Italian seasoning, black pepper, salt, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and most of your shredded mozzarella (reserve a bit for topping). The key here is to mix just until everything’s evenly distributed—no need to overdo it.
Step 4: Top, Bake, and Broil
Smooth the mixture into an even layer, then shower on that final sprinkle of mozzarella for a golden, bubbly crust. Bake at 375°F until melty and bubbling (8 to 10 minutes), then broil briefly until the top is golden and spotty brown—this guarantees that irresistible cheesy finish.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Take the dip out (careful, it’s hot!), and scatter over lots of freshly chopped basil. Serve right from the skillet with crostini toasts, crackers, or veggie dippers. Watch how quick Marry Me Dip disappears!
Pro Tips for Making Marry Me Dip
- Spinach Success: Be sure to squeeze as much water as possible out of the thawed spinach—excess moisture can make your dip watery instead of luscious.
- Room Temperature Cheese: Always start with softened cream cheese to guarantee a smooth, lump-free base.
- Broil for the Win: Don’t skip the broil—it creates those crispy, browned cheesy peaks everyone fights for!
- Serve Hot & Fresh: Marry Me Dip is at its absolute meltiest and most irresistible straight from the oven, so gather everyone before that first crunchy, cheesy scoop.
How to Serve Marry Me Dip
Garnishes
The finishing flourish really takes this dip over the top! A hefty scatter of chopped fresh basil infuses an herbal freshness and makes the creamy colors pop. For extra visual drama, add a few reserved sun-dried tomato pieces or a sprinkle of parmesan before serving.
Side Dishes
This dip truly shines alongside piping hot crostini, crusty baguette slices, or your favorite sturdy crackers—something with enough crunch to stand up to all that cheese. For a lighter spread, try serving with crispy veggies like carrot sticks, bell pepper strips, or endive leaves.
Creative Ways to Present
No need to stick with just a skillet! Spoon Marry Me Dip into mini ramekins for individual portions, pile it into a rustic bread bowl, or offer as part of a dramatic appetizer board. Add color with fresh veggies and extra basil for a wow-worthy centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow have any dip left, let it cool completely, then cover and refrigerate for up to three days. The flavors deepen overnight and it makes for an unbelievably good midnight snack or next-day treat!
Freezing
While Marry Me Dip is at its best fresh and melty, you can freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to a month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating, but keep in mind that the texture may be slightly looser after freezing because of the dairy content.
Reheating
To bring leftover dip back to bubbling glory, reheat gently in a 350°F oven (covered with foil to avoid over-browning) until warmed through. Alternatively, scoop smaller portions into a microwave-safe bowl and heat in bursts, stirring occasionally for even melting.
FAQs
-
Can I make Marry Me Dip ahead of time?
Absolutely! Mix together the entire dip (up until the final mozzarella topping), cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, sprinkle with mozzarella and bake as directed, adding a couple extra minutes if baking from cold.
-
Is there a way to make Marry Me Dip gluten-free?
The dip itself is naturally gluten-free! Just be sure to choose gluten-free serving options like GF crackers or sliced vegetables for dipping.
-
What can I use instead of sun-dried tomatoes?
If you’re out of sun-dried tomatoes, chopped roasted red peppers or finely diced oil-packed artichokes will bring similar tang and texture, though the flavor won’t be exactly the same.
-
Can I double the Marry Me Dip for a bigger party?
Certainly! Just double all ingredients and bake in a larger oven-safe dish, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time until hot and bubbly all the way through.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for something with guaranteed wow-factor, Marry Me Dip is pure joy in a skillet. Gather your favorite people, warm up the oven, and watch this dip cast its spell. Give it a try—I can’t wait to hear what you think!
Print
Marry Me Dip Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Marry Me Dip is a creamy and flavorful spinach and sun-dried tomato dip that will win over anyone who tries it. Perfect for parties or gatherings, this dip is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup drained julienne-cut sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped
- 1 tablespoon oil from sun-dried tomatoes jar
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 (6 ounce) package frozen cut leaf spinach, thawed and drained, then patted dry
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/4 cups shredded low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
- chopped fresh basil
- crostini toast, for serving
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Heat sun-dried tomato oil: Heat 1 tablespoon sun-dried tomato oil in a 10-inch enamel-coated cast-iron skillet over medium. Add garlic and tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, until garlic is fragrant and tomato paste is slightly darker in color, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Mix ingredients: Remove the skillet from heat and whisk in cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Fold in spinach, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, pepper, salt, sun-dried tomatoes, and 1 cup mozzarella until evenly combined.
- Spread mixture: Spread tomato mixture into an even layer. Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese.
- Bake and broil: Bake in preheated oven until cheese is fully melted and edges are bubbling, 8 to 10 minutes. Without removing skillet from oven, increase oven temperature to broil. Broil until cheese is lightly browned on top, 3 to 5 minutes. Garnish with basil and serve immediately with crostini.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
