If you ask me, no party is complete without a warm and creamy veggie-based dip, but they can be a little fussy to make with steps for the stovetop and oven. This year, I’ve made things easier for you by combining two of my favorite shortcuts. One, of course, is using jarred sauce, in this case I think the Francesco Rinaldi Roasted Garlic Alfredo Sauce works perfectly, adding a creamy taste and texture without having to create a base sauce from scratch. The other shortcut is my beloved Instant Pot which gets things done in literally three minutes.
7 delicious, easy holiday appetizers made even easier with a smart store-bought shortcut.
As you may know, I am all about using smart, store-bought shortcuts whenever possible, even for holiday cooking.
Because, let’s be honest, a lot of us love the idea of holiday entertaining — and envisioning all those decadent homemade recipes we want to serve to our friends and family while we wait for the compliments to roll in — until reality sets in. You mean…we have to cook all of this stuff? On top of everything else on our lists?
Clearly, it’s not possible for everyone, let alone busy, multi-tasking parents. That’s why I’m all about easy holiday entertaining with recipes that still impress, like the ones I have here!
Top: Bocconcini with Spicy Tomato Sauce at The Curvy Carrot | Our Instant Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip | Gluten-Free Polenta Cakes | Photo by Carmen Sturdy for Daily Burn
Of course I’m a proponent of scratch cooking, but I also know that there are plenty of healthy store-bought products made with simple ingredients that can make holiday entertaining easier without a lot of compromise. Like the sauces produced by our wonderful new sponsor, Francesco Rinaldi. (Ciao, Francesco Rinaldi! Ti amo! ) You might not know, but they’re still a family-owned and run business, making tomato and Alfredo sauces from recipes have been handed down for years using delicious blends of simple ingredients.
Just as it should be with any sauce.
So we’re both here to help! Grab a jar of our favorite store-bought sauce to help you make one — or all! — of these easy holiday appetizer recipes in a fraction of the time.
And be sure not to miss my killer original recipe for a 5-Minute Spinach Artichoke Dip made with Francesco Rinaldi Alfredo Sauce that really only takes five minutes to make. (Yes, really!)
Easy Holiday Appetizer #1:
5-Minute Spinach Artichoke Dip
If you ask me, no party is complete without a warm and creamy veggie-based dip, but they can be a little fussy to make with steps for the stovetop and oven. This year, I’ve made things easier for you by combining two of my favorite shortcuts. One, of course, is using jarred sauce, in this case I think the Francesco Rinaldi Roasted Garlic Alfredo Sauce works perfectly, adding a creamy taste and texture without having to create a base sauce from scratch. The other shortcut is my beloved Instant Pot which gets things done in literally three minutes.
Using them in conjunction means being able to throw together this 5-Minute Spinach Artichoke Dip. And YES, it really does take just five minutes to make this, from start to finish — watch and see! You can even make it ahead of time and keep it warm in the pot.
If you don’t have an Instant Pot, fear not: you can make this recipe in your slow cooker too. Just set it to low for 3–4 hours. Or, if you’re using a traditional stovetop method, simply cook all the ingredients over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until everything is melted and blended.
5-Minute Spinach Artichoke Dip
1/2 cup chopped onion (from about 1/2 a medium onion)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 8-ounce block cream cheese, cut into cubes*
1 15-ounce can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 10-ounce bag or clamshell fresh baby spinach
1/2 cup sour cream (you can use light or fat free)
1/2 cup Francesco Rinaldi Roasted Garlic Alfredo Sauce
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper, plus more to taste
1. Add all of the ingredients to your Instant Pot insert. Use a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to mix everything together as best you can. (See note above for stovetop or crockpot cooking instruction alternatives.)
2. Lock the lid into place and set the valve to “sealing.” Using the manual setting, set the Instant Pot to “low pressure” for three minutes—and no longer. If your Instant Pot or pressure cooker doesn’t have a “low” setting, set it on the lowest setting possible or check the dip after 1, and then 2 minutes. The bottom will burn if it cooks for a full 3 minutes at high pressure. Stir well at each check because even though it may look like the cream cheese hasn’t melted, you may find that it has once you stir it well.
3. Quick release the pressure by carefully turning the valve to “venting” and, once you’re able, unlock and open the lid. Use a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to mix the dip thoroughly; again, it may seem at first as though the cream cheese hasn’t melted and ingredients haven’t come together, but stirring fixes this. Taste and season with more salt and pepper, as desired. Once well mixed, allow the dip to sit for up to five minutes to thicken, then serve with pita bread or chips, gluten-free crackers, or crudite. You can also leave extra in the Instant Pot to keep on “warm” and refresh the dish for guests.
*Pro tip: Spray your knife with oil or cooking spray before cutting the cream cheese into blocks. This will keep it from sticking and getting super messy.
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