Hot Caprese Dip
Featuring melty cheese and juicy tomatoes, this Hot Caprese Dip is a fun twist on a traditional caprese salad. This is a great appetizer to serve with friends!
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 156kcal
Ingredients
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes divided
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp basil pesto
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 8 oz. cream cheese softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil plus more for garnishing
- 4 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese balls mini or pearl size
- {optional} balsamic vinegar reduction for drizzling on top
- crackers or toasted baguette slices for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Spray a small baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set dish aside.
- Using a small mixing bowl, add 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, olive oil, pesto, garlic powder, salt and pepper; toss until well combined. Transfer mixture into prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, using a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and chopped basil.
- Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
- Remove the baking dish from oven and add the cream cheese mixture to the pan. Stir the roasted tomatoes and cream cheese mixture until well combined. (Note: The cream cheese mixture will be thick when you drop the spoonfuls into the baking pan. Let the spoonfuls sit for a minute. The hot pan will soften the cream cheese and you'll be able to stir it all together.)
- Slice the remaining 1 cup of tomatoes in half and lay on top of cream cheese mixture. Arrange fresh mozzarella balls on top.
- Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes, or until cheese has melted and is bubbling.
- {Optional} Turn the broiler on broil for 2-3 minutes, or until top of dip begins to turn golden brown.
- {Optional} Drizzle top of dip with balsamic reduction.
- Let dip stand for 10 minutes and then garnish with additional chopped basil before serving with pita chips, crackers or toasted baguette slices.
Nutrition
Calories: 156kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 337mg | Potassium: 100mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 588IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 139mg | Iron: 0.3mg
