Cheddars Santa Fe Spinach Dip

There’s something magical about that moment when a hot, bubbling spinach dip arrives at your table at Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen. After countless visits and numerous attempts in my kitchen, I’ve finally cracked the code to recreating their famous Santa Fe Spinach Dip. The secret? A perfect blend of four different cheeses and a technique that ensures the spinach stays perfectly distributed throughout the dip.

homemade Cheddar's Santa Fe spinach dip and tortilla chips


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Creamy and cheesy spinach dip

A great dip makes every gathering better. Whether it is family movie night or tailgating with friends, Cheddar’s Santa Fe Spinach Dip is sure to be a hit!

Cheddar Spinach Dip is wonderfully creamy with a four-cheese blend and just a hint of spice. This stuff is so delicious that even folks who claim they hate spinach can’t get enough of it!

Try it once, and you are going to want to make it again and again. That’s okay because the Cheddars Spinach Dip recipe is quick and simple to prepare. Soon you are going to look for reasons to make it!

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe succeeds by combining the right ratio of cheeses for the perfect melt, properly preparing the spinach to avoid excess moisture, and layering flavors with both fresh and prepared ingredients. The result is a creamy, cheesy dip with just the right amount of heat that rivals the restaurant version.

Ingredients

For the Base:

  • Frozen Spinach – Creates the nutritious foundation
  • White onion, finely diced – Provides savory depth
  • Cream cheese, softened – Creates a creamy base texture
  • White cheddar cheese, shredded – Adds sharp flavor
  • Monterey Jack cheese, shredded – Provides excellent melting quality
  • Mozzarella cheese, shredded – Creates the perfect cheese pull
  • Fresh garlic – Adds aromatic flavor
  • Jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced – Provides gentle heat
  • Seasoned salt – Enhances all flavors

For Serving:

  • Warm corn tortilla chips – Perfect for dipping
  • Sour cream – Adds cooling creaminess
  • Fresh salsa – Provides fresh contrast
Cheddars Santa Fe spinach dip ingredients

How to Make Cheddar’s Spinach Dip

  1. Thaw spinach then drain and squeeze liquid from the spinach.
  2. Place spinach, diced onions, cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic, jalapeno pepper, and seasoned salt in a bowl.
ingredients for homemade Cheddars Santa Fe spinach dip in a bowl
  1. Stir until well blended.
homemade Santa Fe spinach dip mixture in a bowl
  1. Spread the mixture into a 1-quart casserole dish
  2. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until the top is nice and bubbly.
  3. Serve with sour cream, salsa, and warmed tortilla chips.

Pro Tips and Variations

  • For creamier dip: Let cream cheese reach room temperature
  • For spicier version: Leave jalapeño seeds in
  • For smoother texture: Process onions in food processor
  • For make-ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours in advance, bake when needed

Creative Variations

Artichoke Version

  • Replace half the spinach with chopped artichoke hearts
  • Add 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Citrus Bright Version

  • Replace jalapeño with lemon zest and juice
  • Add 1/4 cup fresh chopped herbs

Poblano Version

  • Replace jalapeño with roasted poblano peppers
  • Add 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
homemade Cheddars Santa Fe spinach dip and tortilla chips on a wood board

Dietary Modifications

  • Gluten-free: Already naturally gluten-free
  • Vegetarian: Already vegetarian
  • Lower fat: Use reduced-fat cheeses and light cream cheese
  • Keto: Serve with vegetable crudités instead of chips

CopyKat Tip: Use a kitchen towel to squeeze liquid from cooked or thawed spinach. Wrap the spinach in the towel, twist, and tightly squeeze.

Storage and Reheating

Storage Instructions

  • Cool completely
  • Cover tightly with plastic wrap
  • Refrigerate for up to 4 days
  • Do not freeze

Reheating Methods

  1. Oven Method (Best):
    • 350°F for 15-20 minutes
    • Cover with foil
  2. Microwave Method (Quick):
    • 50% power in 30-second intervals
    • Stir between intervals

Scaling the Recipe

  • For a crowd: Double recipe, use a larger baking dish
  • For small groups: Halve the recipe or use ramekins
  • For individual servings: Bake in 4-oz ramekins for 15-20 minutes

Common Questions and Troubleshooting

Q: Why is my dip watery? A: Insufficient draining of spinach; squeeze more thoroughly next time.

Q: Why isn’t my cheese melting smoothly? A: Cheese might be too cold; let ingredients reach room temperature first.

Q: Can I make this ahead? A: Yes, assemble up to 24 hours ahead and bake when needed.

overhead view of homemade Cheddar's Santa Fe spinach dip and tortilla chips

Favorite Appetizer Recipes

If you enjoy appetizers, you may like some of these recipes:

Love Cheddars? Try these copycat recipes!

Find ever more of my restaurant style appetizers and the most popular copycat recipes.

Remember, the key to perfect spinach dip is properly drained spinach and patience while baking. Don’t rush the process – let it get hot and bubbly for the best texture and flavor.

homemade Cheddar's Santa Fe spinach dip and tortilla chips

Cheddars Santa Fe Spinach Dip

You can make Cheddars Sante Fe Spinach Dip at home with this easy copycat recipe.
4.98 from 71 votes
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cheddars Recipes, Santa Fe Spinach Dip, spinach dip
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 381kcal

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces frozen spinach thawed and drained
  • 1//2 cup finely diced white onion
  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded white Cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 2 teaspoons finely minced jalapeno pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt

For Serving

  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup salsa
  • 4 ounces corn tortilla chips

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the spinach, onions, cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic, jalapeno pepper, and seasoned salt.
  • Stir until well blended. Spread into a 1-quart casserole dish and bake for approximately 30 minutes or until the top is nice and bubbly.
  • Serve with sour cream, salsa, and warmed tortilla chips.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 381kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 765mg | Potassium: 369mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 6520IU | Vitamin C: 5.4mg | Calcium: 346mg | Iron: 1.8mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Maria

    This was fabulous..thank you for the recipe!! I made it for new year’s eve and all my guests loved it. I would like to know however if it is possible to prepare this in advance and freeze it so I can heat up whenever i have unexpected guests over

    • Stephanie

      I am honestly uncertain about freezing. I don’t tend to freeze anything. I think it would be fine in the refrigerator a day or two if you made it ahead of time.

    • Teresa Minnick

      Since spinach dip is available in the freezer section, as long as it is sealed and air tight,you should be able to freeze it

  2. Tiffany

    I’m just wondering how close this tastes like Cheddar’s?? I just ate my leftover spinach dip from there last night. Its the best I’ve ever had from any restaurant.

4.98 from 71 votes (63 ratings without comment)

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