The GOAT’s Secret... Ben John's Spinach Dip | IN THE KITCHEN With Anna Leigh Waters

 

Ben Johns' Famous Spinach Dip

The GOAT's Secret Recipe: A Crowd-Pleasing Four-Cheese Delight from In the Kitchen with Anna Leigh Waters

Join pickleball legends Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters as they whip up this creamy, cheesy spinach dip in a fun, casual kitchen session. This easy-to-make appetizer is Ben's go-to for parties and gatherings, packed with four types of cheese for ultimate indulgence. It's simple enough for beginners but guaranteed to impress with its rich flavor and bubbly texture. Perfect for holidays, game days, or any get-together— just don't forget the chips!

Ingredients

• 1 large container (about 10-12 oz) fresh baby spinach
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided (3/4 cup for the mix, 1/2 cup for topping)
• 4 oz goat cheese, crumbled (for topping)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Tortilla chips or bread, for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the dip. (Note: The exact temperature wasn't specified in the vlog, but this is a standard for hot dips like this.)
2. Sauté the spinach: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the baby spinach. Sauté for a few minutes until it wilts down significantly (it starts as a huge pile but shrinks to a small amount). Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking. This should take about 3-5 minutes.
3. Drain the spinach: Remove the sautéed spinach from the skillet and drain excess moisture. Ben demonstrates a simple method: Place the spinach in a colander or on a cutting board and press it with a knife or paper towels to squeeze out the liquid. This prevents the dip from becoming watery.
4. Prepare the base mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained spinach, 8 oz cream cheese, 1 cup sour cream, 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined and homogenized (smooth and evenly blended). Ben notes that recipes don't need to be exact— a little more or less cheese is fine for a unique twist each time.
5. Assemble the dip: Transfer the mixture to an oven-safe baking dish (such as a pie plate or small casserole dish). Spread it out evenly.
6. Add the toppings: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese over the top as the first layer. Then, crumble the goat cheese evenly across the surface. Finally, sprinkle the 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top. Do not cover the dish.
7. Bake the dip: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the top is bubbly, golden, and aromatic. Keep an eye on it to avoid over-browning.
8. Cool and garnish: Remove the dip from the oven and let it cool for a couple of minutes (it's very hot right out of the oven). Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness— Ben suggests sprinkling it from a height like "Salt Bae" for fun.
9. Serve: Scoop the dip with tortilla chips, bread, or your favorite dippers. Enjoy warm! Ben and Anna rated it a solid 6.6-6.7 out of 10 for cheesiness and flavor— a true crowd-pleaser.

This recipe serves 6-8 as an appetizer. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven or microwave. Pro tip from Ben: The secret is tons of cheese!

ALW Channel Episode 1: Waters Family Mac & Cheese

 

Mac, Matches and Momentum: Anna Leigh Waters Cooks Up Comfort — and Confidence — in a Debut “In the Kitchen” Episode

In her first episode, the world-class pickleball player and her mother and coach, Leigh Waters, turn a family mac and cheese recipe into a window on teamwork, competitive turning points and life off the court.

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Introduction

Anna Leigh Waters’ new show, In the Kitchen, launched with equal parts levity and candor. The 15-minute debut felt less like a how-to cooking segment and more like a compact documentary on a champion’s life: a recipe for mac and cheese braided with the story of a rising athlete, a mother-coach’s perspective and the domestic rituals that stitch family to professional sport. In a mix of flour-dusty banter and tactical talk, Anna Leigh and Leigh Waters served viewers a favorite holiday dish and a round of candid conversation — about comeback matches, ACLs, coaching quirks and how a pan of pasta can double as team-building practice.

Anna Leigh Waters Launches YouTube Channel

 

The world’s No. 1 women’s pickleball player invites fans behind the scenes of her life—on the court, in the kitchen, and everywhere in between.

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Introduction

Today, Anna Leigh Waters, the reigning queen of professional pickleball, launched her official YouTube channel, marking a new chapter in how she connects with fans. Known for her fierce competitiveness, infectious energy, and close bond with her mother and coach, Leigh Waters, Anna Leigh is now bringing that same spirit to digital storytelling. Her channel promises an insider look at life as a world champion athlete, featuring everything from tournament travel and training to family challenges and spontaneous adventures.

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“Hey Everyone!”: A Champion Greets Her Fans

In her first post, Waters opens with warmth and authenticity:

“Hey everyone! I’m Anna Leigh Waters; pro pickleball player, world champion, and all-around lover of competition, family, and fun.”

It’s a tone that immediately feels familiar to anyone who’s followed her career. Her message signals not just a media expansion, but a mission: to share her journey with the same enthusiasm she brings to every match.

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Inside the Channel: From the Court to the Kitchen

Anna Leigh’s channel will feature a blend of on-court highlights and off-court lifestyle moments, capturing the balance between high-performance sport and grounded family life.

• On-Court Moments: Expect match-day routines, drills, and tournament travel from one of the game’s most dynamic players.

• Off-Court Adventures: From cooking shows and personal challenges to collaborations with fellow athletes, she’s bringing her audience along for the ride.

• Family First: Whether teaming up with Leigh Waters or sharing playful banter with family, Anna Leigh reinforces that her strength starts at home.

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A Mission to Grow the Game

Waters has always framed her success as part of something bigger—the rise of pickleball itself. Her closing line reflects that ongoing commitment:

“My goal is to keep growing the game... one point, one laugh, and one cookie at a time.”

That phrase perfectly encapsulates her mix of competitive drive and lighthearted joy. It’s not just about winning titles—it’s about nurturing community, inspiring younger players, and making pickleball approachable and fun for everyone.

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Why This Matters: A Digital Leap for Pickleball

Anna Leigh Waters’ YouTube debut represents more than another athlete joining social media. It’s part of pickleball’s evolution from niche pastime to mainstream sport. By sharing her story directly, Waters offers fans a rare window into the sport’s professional circuit and her unique mother-daughter dynamic—an element that has defined her career since she first burst onto the scene at 11 years old.

As professional pickleball continues to grow in visibility, her channel could become a cornerstone of how new fans discover and engage with the sport’s rising culture.

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Summary

Anna Leigh Waters’ launch of her official YouTube channel is a milestone in her ongoing effort to connect with the pickleball community and beyond. The channel’s blend of competitive insight, family-centered fun, and behind-the-scenes storytelling mirrors the personality that has made her a global ambassador for the game.

With her approachable charm and relentless energy, Waters is turning YouTube into a new kind of court—one where every upload can spark a smile, teach a skill, or inspire a new fan to pick up a paddle. As she puts it, she’s growing the game “one point, one laugh, and one cookie at a time”—and that may be the most Anna Leigh Waters thing ever.