Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip With Italian Sausage & Kalamata Olives

Whether it’s a toasty bread bowl filled with cold spinach dip or hot bubbling cheesy spinach dip straight from the oven, I’m a fangirl for life. That’s why it was my sincere pleasure to test this recipe all summer long! The old classic hot spinach artichoke dip gets a total makeover here. The combo of spicy Italian Sausage, briny Kalamata olives, and petite diced tomatoes turn this hot spinach artichoke dip into an unforgettable appetizer!

If you’re looking for a new spin on an old classic appetizer this holiday season, then this Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip with Italian Sausage & Kalamata Olives is a crowd pleaser (even if it’s for a crowd of ONE)!

Classic Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip

There is nothing better than a comfort food classic recipe that gets tweaked to include unexpected tasty ingredients! Of course spinach and artichokes pair beautifully. But, Italian sausage makes this a hearty dip that nobody can resist!

Also, don’t forget about the Kalamata olives. What goes beautifully with spinach and artichokes? Of course, my favorite olives!

I can’t count how many times I’ve made the classic. But, I’m not sure I’ll ever go back to the old way. This new flavor combo can go toe-to-toe with the classic any day!

Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip with Italian Sausage & Kalamata Olives

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Easy make ahead hot appetizer that's a total crowd pleaser!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

• ½ lb. Hot Italian Sausage 
• 12 oz. Frozen Chopped Spinach (Thawed)
• 12 oz. Jar or Can of Artichoke Hearts (drained)
• 8 oz. Cream Cheese (room temp)
• 2 c. Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (reserve ½ c. for top)
• ⅓ c. Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1 can Petite Diced Tomatoes (drained)
• 5 oz. Jar Kalamata Olives (drained)
• Red Pepper Flakes (to taste)
• 1 tsp. Dried Italian Seasoning

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. Brown sausage in pan until thoroughly cooked (no longer pink). Drain if any excess oil is in the pan. Turn down to low heat.
3. Add drained petite diced tomatoes and cream cheese to warm pan. Mix over low heat until cream cheese has completely melted and combined with tomatoes and sausage. Remove from heat.
4. Drain thawed spinach to remove any excess water. Squeeze out spinach to avoid getting too much liquid in the dip. Add spinach to the cheese and sausage mixture.
5. Drain olives and artichokes. Give a rough chop to both. Add both to the mixture. (You may not use all olives in the jar depending on the size of the jar you buy).
6. Mix in the shredded mozzarella cheese (reserving ½ c. for topping) and add in the Italian seasoning.
7. Pour dip into greased baking dish. Top with remaining ½ c. mozzarella cheese & parmesan cheese and sprinkle with hot pepper flakes. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden and bubbling!
8. Serve with favorite baguette or crackers.

Notes

• If you want to freeze this dip, then you can do so at one of two stages. You can freeze it before it goes into the oven or after. Just thaw it out before you want to cook it (or reheat it).
• Petite diced tomatoes work the best in this recipe. Regular diced tomatoes are cut a bit too large for this dip, but they will work in a pinch.
• Artichoke hearts can be marinated, frozen, or in a can. This won't make too much of a difference in this dip.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 221Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 457mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 10g

Easy Make Ahead Appetizer for the Holidays

What I love about this spinach dip recipe is that it is so versatile. It can easily be tailored to fit your tastes. If you’re not a fan of spicy, then nix the hot Italian sausage and go for the mild. And, if you prefer black or green olives over Kalamata, then go nuts!

Plus, the very best thing about this appetizer (other than you’ll want to devour it immediately) is that it freezes BEAUTIFULLY! So, don’t be afraid to make this ahead of time and freeze it.

This dip makes enough to fill a small casserole dish, so you can make this recipe once and eat twice for small gatherings. Or, you can double it and freeze half for larger parties.

Fall Football Hot Appetizer

Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip with Italian Sausage & Kalamata Olives is the perfect recipe for fall football snacking! This is spinach dip that is fancy enough for a holiday appetizer table but robust enough to satisfy any football fan’s appetite.

Come to think of it, there’s not an occasion I wouldn’t consider having this decadent hot app on the table. Beach vacation, 4th of July BBQ, children’s birthday parties, football gameday, and every holiday that comes my way will likely have this bubbling dish of comfort food on the table!

It’s 2020 people. Time to go all-in on our holiday apps this year! Don’t skimp on your favs, and don’t be afraid to change it up a little. Also, if you’re looking for a new twist on the same old turkey or roasted chicken, try this amazing Preserved Meyer Lemon Spatchcock Chicken recipe that will BLOW your mind!

And, most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy every single morsel!

We may be social distancing, but we can still connect! I can’t wait to hear how this app turns out for you, and your family! Drop me a line in the comments below!

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