Spinach-Artichoke Dip

My grandparents and I went to Applebee's, we had the spinach-artichoke dip, and I loved it. I wanted to make this dip at home, but I didn't know what recipe to use, so, I made up my own! I took the common ingredients from all the recipes I looked at, used those, and then I chose which ingredients weren't so common and used the ones I felt like using. My grandparents have fallen in love with this dip(and so have I) so I decided to blog about this recipe. Here we go!!

The cast of characters(minus the red pepper flakes... oops!) You will need 16 oz bag of spinach, 14 oz can of artichokes, mayo, cream cheese, onion, three garlic cloves, shredded pepper jack cheese, parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, salt pepper, and butter. 

Dice the onion into small pieces and put them into a pan that is heated with a small dab of butter. Also, place the three whole garlic cloves in with the onions(didn't get a pic of this either.) Cook these until they are starting to caramelize.

Put approximately(give or take a little) a cup of mayo and and a softened(NOT MELTED, just softened) 8 oz block of cream cheese in a bowl. Mix until evenly distributed. Once the onions are finished, take the garlic cloves out, and put the onions into the mayo-cheese mixture.

Take 14 oz can of artichokes, cut them in fourths and throw them in the same pan with some more butter. Cook these until they have some brown on them. Once they are finished, chop them up into bite size pieces. Throw them in the bowl with the onions, mayo-cheese mixture.

I didn't get a pic of the spinach cooking, my bad. Cook the entire 16 oz bag of spinach until wilted. Once it is finished, chop it up. Don't make it into mush, but nice bite-size pieces. Once this is done, throw the spinach into the artichoke, onion... you get the point. :) 

Put a half pound(2 cups) of shredded pepper jack cheese into the bowl. Then grate a whole bunch of parmesan cheese, 2 cups approximately, into the bowl and mix until incorporated.

This is the cheese mixture with a teaspoon or so of red chile flakes. These are completely optional, they just add a wonderful kick to the dip. Also, add salt and pepper to taste. 

This is the heavenly mixture all combined :) Are your mouths watering yet??

Take a 10x10x2 square baking dish(this is what I like to use, use what you think will work if you don't have this exact dish,) and generously grease it.

The dip in it's new home with plastic wrap over it. When it's time to bake it, put it in a 350 degree oven for about 35-45 minutes until bubbly and brown.

This is it all finished baking! Now go make it!! It's delicious, you won't be disappointed. Hope you enjoy! Lemme know if you make it and what you think of it.

P.S. After doing this blog, I have an all new appreciation for Pioneer Woman!!