This warm, creamy seafood dip combines tender shrimp, spinach, artichoke hearts, and a rich blend of cheeses with lemon, Dijon mustard, garlic, Old Bay, and Creole seasoning. Baking the dip in stages keeps the shrimp tender while producing a golden, bubbling cheese topping.

Yield: 10 to 12 appetizer servings

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 12 ounces cooked medium or large shrimp, peeled, deveined, patted dry, and chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1 can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts, drained, blotted dry, and chopped
• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed very dry
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
• 2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions, divided
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon Creole seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
• Nonstick cooking spray or 1 teaspoon softened butter, for the baking dish

Preparation

1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish
   Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 10-by-7-inch baking dish or a 9-inch cast-iron skillet with nonstick cooking spray or softened butter.
2. Prepare the Spinach, Artichokes, and Shrimp
   Squeeze the thawed spinach thoroughly to remove as much moisture as possible.
   Drain the artichoke hearts, blot them dry with paper towels, and chop them into bite-sized pieces.
   Pat the cooked shrimp dry and chop them into bite-sized pieces. Set the shrimp aside.
3. Make the Creamy Base
   Reserve about 1 teaspoon of the dark-green onion tops for garnish.
   Place the softened cream cheese in a large mixing bowl and beat until smooth.
   Add the sour cream and mayonnaise. Stir until creamy and evenly combined.
4. Add the Cheese, Seasonings, and Vegetables
   Fold in 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic, the remaining green onions, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, Creole seasoning, and black pepper.
   Add the spinach and artichoke hearts and stir until evenly distributed.
   Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning as needed, keeping in mind that the Parmesan, shrimp, Old Bay, and Creole seasoning may already contribute salt.
5. Bake the Dip Base
   Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
   Bake for 15 minutes, or until the dip is hot around the edges and beginning to bubble.
6. Add the Shrimp
   Remove the baking dish from the oven.
   Scatter the chopped shrimp evenly over the dip. Gently press the shrimp into the upper half of the hot dip, distributing them evenly without stirring deeply into the mixture.
   Smooth the surface and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.
7. Finish Baking
   Return the dip to the oven and bake for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the shrimp are heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
8. Brown and Garnish
   Broil for 1 to 2 minutes, if needed, watching closely, until the cheese is lightly golden.
   Remove the dip from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes.
   Garnish with the parsley and reserved green onion tops before serving.

Cook’s Notes

• The spinach must be squeezed exceptionally dry. Excess moisture can make the finished dip watery.
• Blotting the artichoke hearts and shrimp dry also helps the dip remain thick and creamy.
• Adding the cooked shrimp near the end of baking prevents them from becoming dry or rubbery.
• Monterey Jack creates a smoother, creamier texture, while mozzarella provides the browned, stretchy topping.
• Old Bay and Creole seasoning blends vary in salt content, so additional salt may not be necessary.
• For a stronger seafood presence, increase the shrimp to 1 pound.
• The dip may be assembled without the shrimp up to one day in advance. Cover and refrigerate. Bake the chilled base for 20 to 25 minutes, or until hot around the edges and beginning to bubble, before adding the shrimp and remaining mozzarella.

Serving Suggestions

• Toasted baguette slices
• Crostini
• Pita chips
• Buttery crackers
• Tortilla chips
• Celery sticks
• Sweet pepper strips
• Cucumber rounds

Beverage Suggestions

• Sauvignon Blanc
• Unoaked Chardonnay
• Dry sparkling wine
• Light lager
• Lemon- or lime-flavored sparkling water