Caprese Dip Recipe
Delight in this Caprese Dip Recipe's creamy, bold flavors. Perfect for sharing, it's a party favorite with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil!
Ingredients
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons basil pesto homemade or store bought
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup fresh chopped basil
- 8 ounces low-moisture mozzarella cheese cut into chunks
- 8 ounces shredded provolone cheese
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- crusty bread, crackers, or tortilla chips for serving
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Tomatoes
Preheat your oven to 400°F and grab a 2‑quart baking dish (a seasoned cast iron skillet works beautifully). Place one cup of whole cherry tomatoes into the dish, drizzle with a tablespoon of olive oil, spoon in the pesto, sprinkle the minced garlic, season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, and toss gently to coat every tomato in the glossy herb mixture. Slide the dish into the oven for about 15 minutes until the tomatoes begin to blister and release their juices, concentrating their sweet, tangy flavor.
Step 2: Mix Your Cheeses
While the tomatoes roast, combine a cup of sour cream with two tablespoons of fresh chopped basil in a modern matte grey ceramic mixing bowl. Add the 8 ounces of chunked low‑moisture mozzarella, 8 ounces of shredded provolone, and the quarter cup of freshly grated parmesan. Use a sturdy spoon to stir until the mixture is uniformly studded with cheese chunks and flecked bright green with basil — thick, creamy, and slightly uneven in texture, perfect for melting.
Step 3: Combine and Bake
Pull the blistered tomatoes from the oven, and using the same cast iron baking dish, fold the cheese mixture into the roasted tomato base so everything is evenly coated; toss gently so the chunky mozzarella and shredded provolone nestle into the warm tomato juices. Halve the remaining cup of cherry tomatoes and arrange them, cut‑side up, across the top for bright fresh color and a burst of acidity. Slide the assembled dish back into the oven and bake for about 20 minutes until the cheese is luxuriously melted, bubbling at the edges, and beginning to take on golden spots.
Notes
- Ensure to use fresh cherry tomatoes for the best flavor.
- Use extra virgin olive oil for richer taste.
- Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.