This skillet artichoke spinach dip is perfect for entertaining! With the bread rolls and the dip all in one skillet, it’s great for feeding a crowd.

spinach artichoke dip with bread rolls in skillet

I have always thought of the holiday season as a once-a-year excuse for indulgence, decadence and excess (cheese :). And in that spirit, I humbly offer up this skillet of warm cheese-topped bread and creamy, cheesy artichoke spinach dip. And you can make this skillet of goodness with a loaf of frozen, pre-made bread or roll dough (thawed) or make your own dough with the recipe below.

Whether it’s to accompany a football game or a holiday gathering, you’ll be the hit of the party when you bring this one out! Fresh, warm pull-apart buns ring the outside, while the centre is filled with warm artichoke and spinach dip. Simply grab a bun and spoon a bit of the warm dip on top.

As everyone knows, I like nothing more than to whip up my own bread dough, but don’t feel you need to do likewise (although this bread is wonderfully soft on the inside and crispy on the outside). Instead, you can easily use a loaf of frozen pre-made bread or roll dough (thawed). Just follow the directions below.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Bread Rolls – you can use the recipe below to make the rolls, or use a loaf of frozen pre-made bread or roll dough to make the rolls.

Cream Cheese – full fat cream cheese is recommended, for the best dip consistency.

Artichoke Hearts – canned artichoke hearts are recommended.

Recipe Tips

While best fresh from the oven, I have made this ahead and re-heated to serve. Simply bake, cool a bit then refrigerate covered with foil. To serve, cover loosely with tinfoil and pop into a 350° F. oven for 25-30 minutes to re-warm.

It’s also worth noting that you can use any of your favourite baked dips in this dish (I think it would be great with a warm crab dip!), so get creative and make your own version.

spinach artichoke dip with bread rolls in skillet

skillet bread and artichoke dip in cast iron skillet

Get the Recipe: Skillet Artichoke Spinach Dip

This skillet artichoke spinach dip is perfect for entertaining! With the bread and the dip all in one skillet, it's great for feeding a crowd.
5 stars from 14 ratings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Rising Time (for homemade rolls):: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Yield: 16 servings

Ingredients

Bread Dough: (or use one loaf of frozen bread dough, thawed)

  • 2 3/4 - 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and levelled
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry or instant yeast
  • 1 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1 cup milk, warmed, but not hot
  • 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil or melted butter

Artichoke Spinach Dip:

  • 4 cups loosely packed fresh baby spinach, (or 1/2 of a 10 oz. package frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
  • 6 oz canned marinated artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped (can also use regular canned artichokes, about 2/3 cup chopped)
  • 4 oz cream cheese, at room temperature (1/2 a typical brick)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sriracha sauce, (or any "hot sauce" you like)
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup mozzarella,, shredded plus more for topping
  • Salt and pepper

To serve:

  • 1/4 cup mozzarella, shredded
  • Freshly ground pepper

Instructions
 

  • For making bread dough: (If using pre-made dough, skip ahead to make the dip and then Cutting/shaping dough below)
  • Add two cups of the flour to a large bowl of the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a kneading hook. Add salt and combine. Warm milk to lukewarm. Stir in yeast and let stand a few minutes. Add yeast mixture to bowl, along with the vegetable oil or melted butter. Mix and add additional flour in 1/4 cup increments until a smooth dough forms. Knead until smooth. Transfer dough to an oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
  • Make Dip: Meanwhile, place fresh spinach in a bowl with 1 Tbsp. of water. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 1 minute. Remove from microwave, leave covered and let stand 15 minutes to cool. Drain spinach well and add to a medium bowl.
  • Add the remaining dip ingredients and mix until well combined. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
  • Cutting/shaping dough: Turn dough out onto a lightly floured cutting board. Using a sharp knife or bench scraper, cut the dough into 16 equal pieces. (I cut in half, then each piece in half, then repeat cutting each piece into equal parts until I have 16 pieces). Shape each piece into a ball by pinching the edges together underneath.
  • Generously butter an 8-inch cast-iron skillet. Find a bowl that is about 5 1/2-inches across the top, spray the outside with cooking spray and place it, top side down, in the center of the skillet. (*If you can't find a bowl, take a sheet of tin foil and shape it into a tight circle about 5 1/2-inches around and 1 inch high and place it in the centre. Spray it with cooking spray.
  • Arrange the dough balls around the outside of the skillet, pushing them together as needed until they all fit. Brush dough balls generously with melted butter. Cover the skillet with plastic wrap and let rise until puffy, about 30 minutes.
  • Pre-heat oven to 375° (regular bake setting/not fan assisted) with rack in centre of oven. Remove bowl from center of skillet. Spoon prepared dip into the centre space, pushing it right up to the edge of the dough. Sprinkle top of dip with additional mozzarella/Parmesan. Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 30 minutes, until rolls are golden and sound hollow when tapped and the dip is bubbly.
  • Remove from oven. Raise oven rack to the top third and switch oven to broil. Sprinkle the rolls with additional mozzarella cheese and return skillet to oven under the broiler, until the cheese and dip is browned.
  • Let skillet stand at least 5-10 minutes, or until just warm (not hot). Add a bit of freshly ground pepper on top, if you like. Do watch the hot skillet handle and wrap in a towel if it is still to hot to hold. Serve with a dip "knife" and let everyone serve themselves.

Notes

Be sure to read the notes above this Recipe Card, for more tips, options, substitutions and variations for this recipe!
Cuisine: American
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 259kcal, Carbohydrates: 38g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 310mg, Potassium: 162mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 996IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 89mg, Iron: 2mg
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