My Signature Spinach Artichoke Dip

This dip was a concoction that I developed after trying the  spinach dips at Applebees and Olive Garden.  I wanted to create my own dip that was a combination of both of these popular restaurant dips.  I nailed it!  It's perfectly creamy and full of flavor!

Ingredients:

1 (10 oz) box frozen chopped spinach

5-7 artichokes, drained and chopped (leave this out if you don't like them!)

8 ounces Neufchatel cheese, cubed

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 (16 oz) jar of Classico Four Cheese Alfredo sauce

garlic & onion powder, to taste

salt & pepper, to taste

crackers, tortillas, or sliced baguette for dipping (I prefer the baguette)


Directions:

1. Cook spinach in microwave by following instructions on box.


2. While spinach is cooking begin chopping artichoke hearts.


3.  Add cream cheese and artichoke hearts to medium saucepan over med-low heat.


4.  When spinach is finished cooking remove from microwave and blot with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. (I usually go through about 10-15 paper towels before all the water is out).


5.  Add the spinach to the saucepan and stir occasionally until cream cheese is melted and all ingredients are combined.


6. Pour in Alfredo sauce and heat thoroughly over LOW heat, stirring frequently.


7. Add parmesan cheese and seasonings to taste, stirring well after each addition. This is the step that I start taste testing :).


8. Let simmer for 15 minutes, stirring frequently.


9.  Serve warm in crockpot stirring once in a while.