1. Prepare the Spinach: Start by thawing the frozen chopped spinach. Once thawed, it’s crucial to squeeze out as much excess water as possible. You can do this by placing the spinach in a clean kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels and wringing it out firmly. This step prevents your dip from becoming watery.

2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Stir these ingredients together until they are well blended and smooth. Don’t worry if there are still some small cottage cheese curds; they add to the texture.

3. Add Flavorful Components: To the wet mixture, add the grated Parmesan cheese, finely chopped green onions, minced garlic, onion powder, and black pepper. If you like a little kick, now is the time to stir in the pinch of red pepper flakes.

4. Fold in Spinach: Gently fold in the squeezed-dry spinach. Make sure it’s evenly distributed throughout the mixture. You want every spoonful to have that delicious spinach flavor.

5. Season to Taste: Taste the dip and add salt as needed. Remember that Parmesan cheese is already salty, so start with a small amount and adjust until it’s perfect for your palate.

6. Chill for Best Flavor: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dip for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time allows all the flavors to marry and deepen, resulting in a much more enjoyable dip.

7. Serve and Enjoy: Once chilled, give the dip a final stir and transfer it to a serving bowl. Garnish with a few extra chopped green onions or a sprinkle of Parmesan if desired, and serve with your favorite dippers.