High Protein Spinach Dip

Dad's Take

Listen closely, friends, because I'm about to change your life. There is no better example that healthy food doesn't have to suck than what we are doing today.

Usually, the words "Spinach Dip Bread Bowl" are code for "diet destroyer." It’s usually a bomb of mayonnaise and heavy cream that leaves you feeling sluggish and guilty. But we don't do guilt here. We do gains.

I’ve cracked the code to make a dip that is creamy, savory, and indistinguishable from the unhealthy stuff, but it packs a massive 60 grams of protein for the entire bowl of dip. Whether you're hosting a football Sunday, hitting a holiday party, or just want to volume-eat like a champion, this is your secret weapon. You are going to eat this, you are going to love it, and you are going to look goddamn swole this season. Let’s go!

Watch the step by step recipe below

Why This Works ( The Macro Breakdown)

We aren't just making food; we're fueling the machine. Here is why this recipe is an absolute staple for anyone watching their intake but refusing to eat boring food:

• Total Dip Calories: ~580 Calories (for the whole batch of dip)
• Total Protein: 60g
• The Secret: By swapping mayo and sour cream for Fat-Free Greek Yogurt and Low-Fat Cream Cheese, we keep the texture thick and rich without the massive fat content.

Ingredients List

• 1 Large round bread loaf (Sourdough is king here for structural integrity, but a rustic Italian works too). Honestly, the bread is the bowl.  Eat it if you want, but you can also eat this dip with your favorite crunchy vegetable, making this the healthiest appetizer around)
• 8 oz Low-fat cream cheese (softened slightly for easier blending).
• 1 cup Fat-free Greek yogurt (The protein powerhouse).
• 1/2 cup Water chestnuts, chopped (Do not skip this! It adds the necessary crunch to break up the texture).
• 1 packet Vegetable recipe mix (like Knorr or similar dry soup mix).
• 1 cup Frozen spinach.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. The Dairy Base: Grab your food processor. Toss in the 8oz of low-fat cream cheese and the 1 cup of fat-free Greek yogurt. Blitz this on high. You want this base to be silky smooth—no lumps allowed.
2. Flavor Injection: Add your chopped water chestnuts and that packet of vegetable recipe mix. The chestnuts give it crunch, the mix gives it that nostalgic party-dip flavor.
3. Go Green: Add your frozen spinach. Pro Tip: Make sure you have squeezed the absolute life out of that spinach before adding it. You want spinach, not spinach water.
4. Final Blend: Pulse the mixture until the spinach is evenly incorporated and the dip looks thick and speckled with green goodness.
5. Carve the Bowl: Take a serrated knife to your bread loaf. Cut a circle out of the top (like a pumpkin) and pull the lid off. Use your hands to scoop out the soft inner bread to create a cavern for your dip. Save every piece of bread you pull out—that is your dipping vessel!
6. Load It Up: Spatula that protein-packed green gold into the bread bowl. Fill it to the brim.
7. Devour: Serve immediately. Grab a chunk of bread, scoop a massive amount of dip, and enjoy the fact that you are hitting your macros while eating a bread bowl.

Chef’s Pro-Tips for Success

• Squeeze the Spinach: I cannot stress this enough. If your spinach is wet, your dip will be runny. Wrap the thawed spinach in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and wring it out over the sink until it's dry.
• The Bread Factor: If you are strictly counting calories, track the bread separately. The 580 calories/60g protein covers the dip mixture. The bread is the glorious vehicle for the dip.
• Make Ahead: This dip actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge for an hour as the vegetable mix rehydrates. If you can wait that long, chill it before filling the bowl.