Marry Me Dip

Name: Marry Me Dip
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil; 1 Small Onion (finely diced); 10 Ounces Spicy Italian Sausage; 8 Ounces Cream Cheese (softened); 3/4 Cup Sour Cream; 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese (shredded); 1 Cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated); 3 Cloves Garlic (mashed); 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning; 1/4 Teaspoon Sea Salt; 1/2 Cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes (packed in oil, rained, and chopped); 2 Cups Fresh Spinach

The classic “Marry Me” chicken gets a creamy, cheesy, dippable twist with my delicious Marry Me Dip. This dip comes together with a blend of four different cheeses, fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and spicy Italian Sausage for that true perfect bite. Serve it alongside sliced, warmed baguette, tortilla chips, or your favorite crackers, and you’ve got the perfect appetizer ready in under 30 minutes.

Friends, what was your FAVORITE Kalejunkie recipe of 2024? While there were so many that I loved, from my Viral Crispy Rice Salads to my Brown Butter Green Beans with Lemony Whipped Feta (which was the star of your Thanksgiving dinner tables this year!) undoubtedly, one of the most popular recipes of the year was none other than my One-Pan “Marry Me” Chicken Orzo. This recipe is based off of the classic “Marry Me” Chicken, which is said to be so good, that it will convince any man to marry you. While I can’t answer whether or not that’s true, what I can say is this: it’s delicious!

Truly, I used to think that nothing could be more delicious than perfectly-cooked chicken, smothered in a rich, creamy, sauce filled with cheese, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes, and served over a bed of tender pasta. That is, until I made it into dip form. Think of this recipe like an elevated take on the classic spinach and artichoke dip – only, instead of being filled with artichokes, it’s filled with bursting sun-dried tomatoes. Yum!

Not only that, but instead of chicken, this dish is filled with spicy Italian sausage. I love the way that the spiciness of the sausage cuts through the creaminess of the cheese, helping this dip achieve the perfect balance of flavor. Plus, it makes the dip extra filling, which means it’s the perfect appetizer to serve at your next holiday party. I love enjoying it with sliced baguette, but it’s also delicious with tortilla chips or crackers, too. No matter how you enjoy it, you can’t go wrong – in fact, it’s so good that it may make someone want to marry you!

Overhead view of ingredients on a cutting board: fresh spinach, dried tomatoes, minced meat, garlic cloves, ricotta, grated cheese, Parmesan, an onion, olive oil, salt, and spices. — To make this dip, you’ll need olive oil, onion, spicy Italian sausage, cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, garlic, Italian seasoning, sea salt, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach.

A flat lay of ingredients for a creamy spinach dip, including a large bowl with spinach, a plate with cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and spices, a small bottle of olive oil, garlic cloves, and Parmesan cheese on a wooden board. — To make this dip, you’ll need olive oil, onion, spicy Italian sausage, cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, garlic, Italian seasoning, sea salt, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach.

What You Need to Make This Warm and Cheesy Appetizer

Olive Oil: To cook the onion and sausage, I like to choose a better-for-you oil such as olive oil.
Onion: Pick your favorite onion variety and use it in this recipe! I always recommend using what you already have, in order to make this recipe as easy as possible.
Spicy Italian Sausage: Instead of chicken, this recipe calls for spicy Italian sausage as a delicious, spicy addition to this dip.
Cream Cheese: Make sure that the cream cheese is softened, so that this dip is easy to mix together. You can do this by leaving the cream cheese out on the countertop, until it reaches room temperature, or by transferring the cream cheese into a microwave-safe dish and microwaving it for 20 seconds. That’s it!
Sour Cream: The addition of sour cream helps to bind this dip together. Don’t skip it!
Mozzarella & Parmesan Cheese: The combination of grated mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese adds a delicious, quintessentially-cheesy flavor to this dip. I recommend using freshly grated parmesan cheese, to ensure the freshest flavor.
Garlic: I always recommend using fresh garlic, whenever possible. The flavor is truly unbeatable!
Italian Seasoning: A pinch of Italian seasoning adds the best flavor to this dip, and perfectly compliments the flavors of the Spicy Italian Sausage.
Sea Salt: The sea salt helps to balance out the flavor of this dip without making it too salty.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes: I recommend using sun-dried tomatoes that are packed in oil, so that they have add the richest flavor to this dip.
Spinach: Spinach is packed with vitamins and minerals and is the perfect way to sneak extra veggies into this dip. Some would even call it “healthy!” 😉

Next, heat a cast iron skillet on the stove and add in the olive oil and diced onion. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, then add in the Italian sausage and use a spatula to break it up into small pieces and cook until it’s browned.

How to Make This Creamy, “Marry Me” Holiday Dip

To make this dip, start by adding the olive oil to a 10-12 inch cast iron skillet or oven-safe pan. Heat the pan, on the stove, over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, dice the onion and sauté it for about 3-4 minutes. Then, once the onion is almost translucent, add the sausage to the pan and use a spatula to break it down into small pieces.

Once the sausage is fully cooked through, remove the pan from the heat and set it aside. Next, preheat your oven to 375F. Then, soften the cream cheese. You can do this one of two ways: either by leaving the cream cheese out until it reaches room temperature, or by transferring it into a microwave-safe bowl and microwaving it for 20 seconds.

A person wearing a red sweater holds a bowl filled with a creamy sausage and spinach mixture. The table is set with bowls of sun-dried tomatoes, cheese, and spices, as well as fresh spinach leaves and a skillet with cooked sausage. — Then, add the cooked onion and sausage to the bowl with the cheese and spinach and mix to fully combine.

A person stirs a creamy spinach and sun-dried tomato dip in a green pan with a wooden spoon. Bowls of fresh spinach, grated cheese, and spices surround the pan on a light-colored countertop. — Then, add the cooked onion and sausage to the bowl with the cheese and spinach and mix to fully combine.

Add the softened cream cheese to a bowl alongside the sour cream, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, mashed garlic, Italian seasoning, sea salt, tomatoes, and the cooked sausage and onion mixture. Use a spoon to mix everything together well, until it’s fully incorporated.

Then, transfer the mixture back into the skillet and use the back of the spoon (or a spatula) to spread the mixture out evenly across the pan. Then, place the skillet into the oven and allow the dip to bake for 20-22 minutes, or until the skillet is heated all the way through and the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.

Once the dip is done, remove it from the oven. Serve it immediately alongside your favorite sliced baguette, chips, or crackers, and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this dip ahead of time?

Yes! Simply prepare the dip as directed in steps 1-7 of the recipe card. Then, cover the skillet with tin foil and transfer it to the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Once ready, remove it from the fridge and follow steps 8 and 9 on the recipe card. You may need to add a few more minutes to the bake time, to ensure that the dip warms all the way through.

What can I serve with this dip?

I recommend serving this dip alongside sliced baguette, tortilla chips, crackers, or your favorite cut-up vegetables!

How should I store leftovers?

To store any leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to three days. Then, once you’re ready to serve the dip, transfer it into an oven-safe dish and warm it in the oven at 350 F for 8-10 minutes, or until it’s warmed through.

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.