Introduction

Oh, does this recipe bring back memories! I can practically smell the warm, bubbly goodness wafting from the oven. There’s something so incredibly comforting about a classic spinach dip, and when you add succulent crab and shrimp to the mix? Pure magic! This Crab & Shrimp Spinach Dip is one of those recipes that’s deceptively simple to make but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. It’s perfect for game nights, holiday parties, or just when you want to treat yourself to something truly special.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Seriously, from start to finish, you’ll have this delicious dip ready in under 40 minutes!
Easy: No fancy techniques required here. If you can stir and bake, you can make this dip.
Giftable: Assemble it in a cute baking dish, tie a ribbon around it, and you have an instant, thoughtful gift for neighbors or friends.
Crowd-pleasing: Trust me, this dip disappears faster than you can say “more crackers, please!” Everyone adores the creamy, cheesy, seafood goodness.

Ingredients

Let’s gather everything you need for this incredible dip. Don’t worry, most of these are pantry staples or easy to find!

2.5 cups Chopped Spinach: Fresh or frozen (thawed and squeezed dry!) will work wonderfully.
½ lb Medium Sized Raw Shrimp, peeled and deveined: These little guys add such a lovely sweet flavor.
8 oz Crab Meat: Use good quality lump crab meat for the best texture and taste.
¼ cup Cream Cheese, softened: This is the creamy base of our dip. Make sure it’s nice and soft!
¼ cup Sour Cream: Adds a tangy richness.
1 tablespoon Mayonnaise: Just a touch for extra creaminess and a little zing.
1 tablespoon Green Onion, chopped: For a mild oniony bite and a pop of color.
½ teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning: This is a must for that classic seafood flavor!
¼ teaspoon Lemon Pepper Seasoning: A little zest to brighten everything up.
½ cup Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully and adds that gooey cheese pull.
1 cup Muenster Cheese, divided (½ cup for topping): Muenster adds a wonderful nutty flavor and a lovely golden crust.
¼ teaspoon Pepper: Just for a hint of spice.
⅓ cup Onion, small diced: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth.
1 teaspoon Garlic Paste (or minced garlic): Because garlic makes everything better!
1 teaspoon Cooking Oil: For sautéing those yummy aromatics.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get this party started! You’ll be amazed at how quickly this comes together.

Prep Your Aromatics: Grab a skillet and heat your cooking oil over medium heat. Toss in your small diced onion and let it soften and turn a little translucent, about 5 minutes.
Garlic Goodness: Now, add your garlic paste (or minced garlic) to the skillet. Stir it around for just 1 minute until you can smell that irresistible garlic aroma.
Wilt That Spinach: Time for the spinach! Add it to the skillet and cook until it’s all wilted down, which should take about 3-5 minutes. If there’s a lot of liquid, just gently drain it away.
Creamy Base Time: In a large bowl, combine your softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Give it a good stir until it’s all smooth and lovely.
Bring It All Together: Now, let’s mix in the deliciousness! Stir in your cooked spinach mixture, those beautiful shrimp, the luscious crab meat, chopped green onion, Old Bay seasoning, lemon pepper seasoning, ¼ cup of the Muenster cheese, your mozzarella cheese, and the pepper. Mix everything gently until it’s all well combined and looks like a party in a bowl!
Into the Dish: Spoon this glorious mixture into your favorite baking dish. Spread it out evenly.
Cheesy Topping: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of Muenster cheese all over the top.
Bake to Perfection: Pop your baking dish into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until it’s bubbly around the edges and the cheese on top is a gorgeous golden brown.

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is pretty fantastic as is, but who doesn’t love a little customization? Here are some ideas:

Seafood Swap: If you’re not a fan of shrimp or crab, you could try using cooked, shredded chicken or even artichoke hearts for a vegetarian twist.
Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
Extra Veggies: Finely chopped bell peppers or mushrooms sautéed with the onions would be a nice addition.
Cheesy Variety: Feel free to experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack or a bit of sharp cheddar.
Herbal Touches: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or dill before serving adds a nice fresh finish.

Tips for Success

A few little tricks can make your dip even more amazing!

Drain Well: Make sure to drain any excess liquid from the spinach after cooking. Soggy dip is a no-go!
Softened Cream Cheese: This is key for a smooth, lump-free base. If you forget to soften it, a quick (and careful!) zap in the microwave for about 20 seconds usually does the trick.
Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: The shrimp will finish cooking in the oven, so you don’t want to cook them too much beforehand.
Prep Ahead: You can totally assemble the dip (up to step 6) a day in advance. Cover it tightly and keep it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, just add the cheese topping and bake a few minutes longer.

How to Store It

Leftovers are rare with this dip, but if you’re lucky enough to have some, here’s how to store it:

Once cooled, transfer any leftover dip to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, you can gently warm it in the oven at around 300°F (150°C) until heated through, or use the microwave in short bursts, stirring occasionally.

FAQs

Q: Can I make this dip ahead of time?: A: Absolutely! You can assemble the dip without the final cheese topping up to 24 hours in advance. Store it covered in the fridge, then top with cheese and bake when you’re ready, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Q: What should I serve with this dip?: A: Oh, the possibilities are endless! Tortilla chips, pita bread, crackers, baguette slices, or even some fresh veggies like carrots and celery sticks are all fantastic choices.
Q: Can I freeze this dip?: A: While it’s best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze the unbaked dip. Thaw it completely in the refrigerator before baking. The texture might change slightly after freezing, but it will still be delicious!

Crab & Shrimp Spinach Dip

A creamy, cheesy, and irresistible crab and shrimp spinach dip that's deceptively simple to make and perfect for any occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Equipment

Skillet
Large bowl
Baking dish

Ingredients

Main ingredients

2.5 cups Chopped Spinach Fresh or frozen (thawed and squeezed dry!)
0.5 lb Medium Sized Raw Shrimp peeled and deveined
8 oz Crab Meat Good quality lump crab meat
0.25 cup Cream Cheese softened
0.25 cup Sour Cream
1 tablespoon Mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Green Onion chopped
0.5 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
0.25 teaspoon Lemon Pepper Seasoning
0.5 cup Mozzarella Cheese
1 cup Muenster Cheese divided (½ cup for topping)
0.25 teaspoon Pepper
0.33 cup Onion small diced
1 teaspoon Garlic Paste or minced garlic
1 teaspoon Cooking Oil

Instructions

Prep Your Aromatics: Grab a skillet and heat your cooking oil over medium heat. Toss in your small diced onion and let it soften and turn a little translucent, about 5 minutes.
2.5 cups Chopped Spinach
Garlic Goodness: Now, add your garlic paste (or minced garlic) to the skillet. Stir it around for just 1 minute until you can smell that irresistible garlic aroma.
2.5 cups Chopped Spinach
Wilt That Spinach: Time for the spinach! Add it to the skillet and cook until it's all wilted down, which should take about 3-5 minutes. If there's a lot of liquid, just gently drain it away.
2.5 cups Chopped Spinach
Creamy Base Time: In a large bowl, combine your softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Give it a good stir until it's all smooth and lovely.
2.5 cups Chopped Spinach
Bring It All Together: Now, let's mix in the deliciousness! Stir in your cooked spinach mixture, those beautiful shrimp, the luscious crab meat, chopped green onion, Old Bay seasoning, lemon pepper seasoning, ¼ cup of the Muenster cheese, your mozzarella cheese, and the pepper. Mix everything gently until it's all well combined and looks like a party in a bowl!
2.5 cups Chopped Spinach
Into the Dish: Spoon this glorious mixture into your favorite baking dish. Spread it out evenly.
Cheesy Topping: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of Muenster cheese all over the top.
2.5 cups Chopped Spinach
Bake to Perfection: Pop your baking dish into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until it's bubbly around the edges and the cheese on top is a gorgeous golden brown.

Notes

You can assemble the dip up to a day in advance. Ensure spinach is well-drained and cream cheese is softened for best results. Shrimp will finish cooking in the oven.