High-Protein Cottage Cheese Spinach Dip (Smooth & Creamy!)

Why You'll Love This Healthy Spinach Dip Recipe

• High-protein spinach dip. 20 grams of protein per serving (just like our pool dip)!
• Tastes just like the classic recipe. Delicious classic creamy dip taste with fewer calories. Less fat and saturated fat than the original.
• Quick prep time. You can throw this easy dip recipe together in no time at all! Great for last-minute guests.
• Serve it hold or cold. Great to serve cold for summer months, or bake in the oven during game day parties, Thanksgiving, or Super Bowl parties.

Ingredients for High-Protein Spinach Dip

Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.

• Spinach. Look for frozen chopped spinach. Defrost it and drain it prior to making the spinach dip.
• Garlic Powder. Adds garlic flavor without the texture of minced garlic. Onion powder is a good substitute.
• Salt and Black Pepper. Season with salt and pepper to taste once the recipe is finished.
• Neufchâtel Cheese. Neuchâtel cheese has less fat and calories than cream cheese, but either will work in this recipe. You will use one half of the block (4 oz.)
• Cottage Cheese. When cottage cheese is blended, it is thick, cheesy, and provides a smooth base for appetizer dips. Opt for low fat cottage cheese.
• Plain Greek Yogurt. Greek yogurt helps to keep the high-protein spinach dip light (like our buffalo chicken dip). You can use all Greek yogurt in place of cottage cheese, but it will be thinner. Sour cream will also work, but it will alter the amount of protein.
• Parmesan Cheese. A hint of Parmesan cheese helps to deliver classic spinach dip flavor.
• Mozzarella Cheese. Mozzarella cheese is optional if you are making cold high-protein spinach dip, but it will help the dip to come together if you are making it hot.
• Mayo. Mayonnaise is another ingredient in classic spinach dip. Adding a tablespoon helps to give the flavor without extra fat and calories

How to Make This Cold Cottage Cheese Spinach Dip

Below are step-by-step instructions for how to cook this recipe with the best results. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.

1. Blend the cottage cheese. Place the cottage cheese in a food processor or high-speed blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
2. Blend other ingredients. Add the Neufchâtel, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, and garlic powder and blend until creamy.
3. Add remaining ingredients. Into a large bowl, add the remaining ingredients.
4. Stir until just combined. Stir the ingredients and serve cold, or refer to the directions below for making hot spinach dip.

Instructions for Making Hot High-Protein Spinach Dip

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray an oven-safe dish or a cast-iron skillet with cooking spray.

Spoon the spinach dip into the baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes until hot and bubbly.

You can use the broil function for the last few minutes to lightly brown the top. Watch it closely so it doesn't burn.

Cottage Cheese Dip Variations:

• Spicy: Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or hot sauce to increase the heat.
• Crab: Stir in some canned lump crab to make crab spinach dip.
• Onions: Stir in diced onions for additional flavor.
• Artichokes. Add a jar of drained artichoke hearts to make high-protein spinach artichoke dip.
• Meal Prep: Add some cooked chicken to increase the protein and make an easy meal prep lunch.
• Low-sodium: Omit salt or add just a ¼ of a teaspoon to the finished dish to lower the sodium.

Tips For Making the Best Spinach Dip

• Frozen, not fresh. I recommend frozen spinach instead of fresh spinach for this recipe. It is generally already chopped, cooked, and easier to use for spinach dip.
• Drain the frozen spinach. Use a paper towel to push the excess water out of the cooked spinach through a colander. You will want the spinach to be drained very well to avoid the dip becoming runny.

Make Ahead

Make hot, high-protein spinach dip up to one day in advance, but do not bake until the day of serving. Remove the baking dish from the fridge 30 minutes before baking to allow it to come to room temperature.

For cold spinach dip, make up to 3 days in advance.

Storing Leftover Spinach Dip

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.

Freezing

Freeze spinach dip in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Reheating

If making hot spinach dip, reheat it in the oven at 350°F for 20 minutes or until it is hot and bubbly.

Reheat the dip in the microwave by heating for 30-second intervals, stirring in between.

What to Serve With Spinach Dip

• Veggies: Red peppers, celery, cucumbers, or carrots.
• Breads. Naan bread, flatbread, or pita.
• Chips. Tortilla chips or scoops.
• Crackers. Sturdy crackers like Triscuits or pita chips.

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