Marry Me Dip

A rich, creamy Tuscan-inspired cheese dip with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach that’s so irresistibly delicious, it might just inspire a proposal!

Here’s your ingredient list broken down into easy-to-skim bullet points:

🧄 Dip Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon sun-dried tomato oil (from the jar)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1¼ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed), drained and chopped
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

🥖 For Serving

• Toasted baguette slices or crostini
• Crackers
• Pita chips
• Fresh vegetables (carrots, celery, bell peppers)

Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Have a 10-inch oven-safe skillet (cast iron works beautifully) ready.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Base
Heat the sun-dried tomato oil in your skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and tomato paste. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant and the tomato paste deepens in color. This step is crucial for developing rich flavor!

Step 3: Create the Creamy Base
Remove the skillet from heat. Add the softened cream cheese and sour cream to the warm skillet. Whisk vigorously until completely smooth and well combined. The residual heat will help everything blend together beautifully.

Step 4: Fold in the Good Stuff
Add the chopped spinach, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, black pepper, salt, sun-dried tomatoes, and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese (save ¼ cup for topping). Fold everything together until evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Step 5: Smooth and Top
Spread the dip mixture into an even layer in the skillet. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.

Step 6: Bake Until Bubbly
Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and the edges are bubbling.

Step 7: Broil for Golden Perfection
Without removing the skillet from the oven, switch your oven to broil (high setting). Broil for 3-5 minutes, watching carefully, until the cheese on top is golden brown and irresistible. Keep a close eye on it—broilers work fast!

Step 8: Garnish and Serve
Remove from oven (careful—the skillet handle will be HOT!). Garnish with fresh torn basil leaves. Serve immediately while hot and gooey with your choice of dippers.

Make It Heartier: Add 1-2 cups of cooked, shredded chicken or cooked Italian sausage (crumbled) in Step 4 for “Marry Me Chicken Dip.”

Prep Ahead: Assemble the dip completely (through Step 5), cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes, then bake as directed (may need an extra 2-3 minutes).

Spice It Up: Add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce for a kick.

Cheese Substitutions: Try adding ½ cup of Gouda or Gruyere for extra depth of flavor.

Smooth Mixing: Make sure your cream cheese is truly softened (leave at room temperature for 30-60 minutes) for the smoothest texture.

No Oven-Safe Skillet? Make the dip in a regular skillet, then transfer to a 9-inch pie dish or 8×8-inch baking dish before baking.

Storage
Leftovers: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through, or microwave in 30-second intervals.

Serving Size
Serves 8-10 as an appetizer

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes