Imagine a crowd-stopping appetizer that combines the rich, savory flavors of Italian sausage, creamy cheese, and nutritious spinach into one irresistible dish. This Sausage Spinach and White Bean Dip is not just another boring appetizer - it's a flavor explosion that will have your guests fighting for the last scoop! Perfect for game days, potlucks, or when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen, this dip is about to become your new secret weapon in entertaining.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 can (15 oz) white beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cream cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a 9x13 inch baking dish by lightly greasing it with cooking spray or butter.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage, breaking it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook until the sausage is fully browned and no pink remains, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Drain excess fat from the sausage, leaving a small amount for flavor. Return the skillet to medium heat and add fresh spinach, stirring until the spinach wilts and reduces in volume, about 2-3 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and well incorporated.
- Add the drained and rinsed white beans to the cream cheese mixture, gently folding them in to distribute evenly.
- Fold the cooked sausage and wilted spinach into the cream cheese and bean mixture, ensuring all ingredients are well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese, covering the surface completely.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the dip to set and prevents burning.
- Serve warm with tortilla chips, crusty bread, or vegetable sticks for dipping.
Tips
- Choose Quality Ingredients: Use fresh Italian sausage and high-quality cream cheese for the best flavor profile.
- Drain Excess Fat: After cooking the sausage, be sure to drain most of the fat, but leave a small amount for added flavor.
- Don't Overcook the Spinach: Wilt the spinach just until it reduces - you want it to retain some texture and bright green color.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Let cream cheese and sour cream sit out for 15-20 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth blending.
- Cheese Topping Hack: For extra golden-brown cheese, switch your oven to broil for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare this dip up to a day in advance and bake just before serving.
- Serving Suggestions: Pair with a variety of dippers like tortilla chips, crusty bread, pita chips, or fresh vegetable sticks.
- Reheat Tip: If you have leftovers, reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to maintain the dip's creamy texture.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 29g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Cholesterol: 75mg
