Spinach and artichoke dip never fails to disappoint. Though artichokes themselves tend to get overlooked, the creamy, cheesy dip seems to continuously be a fan-favorite on any appetizer table, with soft artichoke hearts combining with rich cheeses for a crave-worthy snack that nobody can turn down. It's not hard to make, either, coming together quickly for easy serving. The only problem, then, is that every so often an occasion comes around where a dip just doesn't make sense.
Besides adding an extra boost of nutrients, spinach can add a really grounding, earthy flavor to a ricotta mixture or veggie layer. The one step that you can't miss when adding spinach to your lasagna, though, is to cook it first. The types of spinach commonly used for lasagna, including curly or flat-leaf, contain a lot of water. If you fail to cook out that water beforehand, the residual moisture may permeate the other layers, leading to a watery, heavy, and soggy pasta dish.