Description
This Melty Cheesy Bruschetta Dip is the perfect crowd-pleaser, combining the fresh flavors of bruschetta with the creamy, cheesy goodness of a hot dip. Loaded with tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil, and a creamy cheese mixture, then baked until golden and bubbly, this dip is the ultimate appetizer for any party, game night, or gathering. Serve it with toasted bread, crackers, or veggies for an irresistible treat!
Ingredients
For the Tomato Base:
2 lbs Roma tomatoes (or the best tomatoes you can find)
¼ cup good olive oil
4–5 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium red onion, diced small
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (real stuff, not syrupy)
1 teaspoon salt (start with this, then taste and adjust)
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano (or 1 tablespoon fresh if you’re feeling fancy)
For the Cheese Mixture:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup sour cream (full fat for the win)
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated (fresh grated makes all the difference)
¼ cup Romano cheese, grated (optional but adds a nice sharp bite)
For the Fresh Stuff:
½ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped (save some pretty whole leaves for the top)
2–3 green onions, sliced thin (just the green parts)
For Serving:
Crusty Italian bread, sliced and toasted
Good crackers (water crackers or baguette crisps work great)
Maybe some veggies if you want to pretend it’s healthy
Instructions
-
Prepare the Tomato Base:
Dice the tomatoes and place them in a bowl. Add the olive oil, garlic, red onion, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and oregano. Mix well and let the tomatoes sit for about 10 minutes to absorb the flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. -
Prepare the Cheese Mixture:
In a separate bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, mozzarella, Parmesan, and Romano cheeses. Mix until smooth and well-combined. -
Assemble the Dip:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the cheese mixture evenly in a baking dish (an 8×8 or similar works well). Spoon the tomato mixture over the cheese, spreading it evenly to cover the surface. -
Bake:
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown. The cheese should be fully melted and starting to develop a golden crust on top. -
Garnish and Serve:
After removing from the oven, sprinkle with extra fresh basil and a little more Parmesan for added flavor and color. Serve hot with sliced, toasted Italian bread, crackers, or veggies for dipping.
Notes
Cheese Selection: Using fresh mozzarella, Parmesan, and Romano creates the perfect balance of meltiness and sharp flavor.
Fresh Tomatoes: Roma tomatoes are ideal for this dip due to their low moisture content, but any tomato will work in a pinch.
Temperature: This dip is best served hot and melty, but if you’re short on time, you can prepare it ahead of time and bake just before serving.
