Hot Cheesy Spinach Dip

Hot Cheesy Spinach Dip
(from Easy to Bake, Easy to Make)

2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup chopped onion (about 1/4 medium)
2 cloves garlic, minced (1 teaspoon)
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups half-and-half
2 packages (9 oz. each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained
1 can (8 oz.) sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 package (1 oz.) dry vegetable soup mix
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 425 F. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until onion is crisp-tender and garlic is fragrant, 2-3 minutes.

2. Stir in flour; cook and stir an additional minute. Add half-and-half and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens, about 2 minutes.

3. Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in chopped spinach, water chestnuts, Cheddar and vegetable soup mix. Spoon dip into a 1-quart casserole or gratin dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan.

4. Bake dip until it is bubbly and cheese is melted, 10-15 minutes. Serve warm.


***When I told my mom that the ingredient of the week was water chestnuts, she made this for me for lunch. The only thing she did differently was that she cooked it in the microwave for about 3 minutes instead of baking it. We ate it with sliced french bread. It is yummy!

I would rate this 4 stars. It is definitely good enough for a pot luck.