Baked Spinach Dip in Bread

Name: Baked Spinach Dip in Bread
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Yield: 4 cups.
Cuisine: Italian Appetizers, Italian Recipes
Ingredients: 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened; 1 cup mayonnaise; 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1 pound sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled; 1/4 cup chopped onion; 1 tablespoon dill weed; 1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 round loaf (1 pound) unsliced sourdough bread; Assorted fresh vegetables

This is the only way my kids will eat spinach! The dip can be made ahead and chilled. Place in the bread shell and bake just before company arrives.—Shauna Dittrick, Leduc, Alberta

Ingredients

2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup mayonnaise
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 pound sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon dill weed
1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced
1 round loaf (1 pound) unsliced sourdough bread
Assorted fresh vegetables

Directions

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and mayonnaise until blended. Stir in the spinach, cheese, bacon, onion, dill and garlic; set aside.
Cut a 1-1/2-in. slice off top of bread; set aside. Carefully hollow out bottom, leaving a 1/2-in. shell. Cube removed bread and place on a baking sheet. Broil 3-4 in. from the heat for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown; set aside.
Fill bread shell with spinach dip; replace top. Place any dip that doesn't fit in shell in a greased baking dish. Wrap bread in heavy-duty foil; place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until dip is heated through. Cover and bake additional dip for 40-45 minutes or until heated through. Open foil carefully. Serve dip warm with vegetables and reserved bread cubes.

Editor's Note: Fat-free cream cheese and mayonnaise are not recommended for this recipe.

Nutrition Facts

1/4 cup: 361 calories, 28g fat (11g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 537mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein.

Originally published as Hot Spinach Loaf in Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook 2005

Reviews

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Average Rating:

ewhite234

Nov 5, 2015

Used ingredients as stated. Only change was that I baked it all in a dish and not the bread bowl. Turned out fantastic!!! Great as appetizer or snack for any occasion. Served with crackers or veggies.
crysmitchell

Apr 16, 2014

This dip was pretty good, but a lot of work.
kcrihfield89

Feb 17, 2014

This dip is a HUGE hit at parties. The bread bowl really gives it flair.
dstorek

Nov 9, 2013

So Good Brought this to a Stanford Tailgate Huge hit. Different from the usual Spinach dip So GOOD
jsousa

Nov 23, 2011

my husband asks me to make this all the time... People are always asking me to make it for get togethers
winterrain

Nov 20, 2011

This is simply the best! I would recommend this to all.
mammascookin

Sep 10, 2011

I just made this as an appetizer for a birthday party and it disappeared quicker than anything I've ever seen! It was delish!!
melanie212

Jan 2, 2011

YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
fourhoffs

Dec 23, 2010

I have been making this recipe for many years and I love it. I do not always bake in the bread. Most of the time, I bake in a covered dish. It is comparable to one of my favorite restaurants' spinach dip. I serve it at our family Christmas gathering and it is always gone by the end of the evening. I also serve it with pita chips.
beth clark

Nov 21, 2009

made it when first appeared in taste of home been making it ever since- fantastic