Spinach Artichoke Dip with Bacon

The addition of bacon and cream cheese to a traditional spinach artichoke dip take it to the next level. This is the perfect "please bring an appetizer" dish,  guaranteed to disappear quickly. Serve with celery sticks, tortilla chips or pita chips.

This recipe comes from "Simply Recipes"

Ingredients

6 slices of bacon, chopped
2 large cloves of garlic, minced
1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 (10 or 12 ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp, salt
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature
8 ounces shredded Italian cheese blend
1/2 cup sour cream

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Place the chopped bacon in a skillet and cook over medium heat until crispy.
Transfer to a paper-towel lined plate to drain, leaving the bacon grease in the pan.

Add the garlic to the pan and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the artichoke hearts, spinach, red pepper flakes and salt. Cook until all are warmed through, about 5 minutes.

In medium bowl, mix cream cheese, Italian cheese, sour cream, bacon and spinach-artihoke mixture until thoroughly combined.

Transfer mixture to a 1-2 quart baking dish and bake until bubbly around  the edges, about 20 minutes. Let cool slightly and serve.

Best to eat this dip right away. If it cools and starts to firm up, microwave a minute to softent he cheeses.