Description
Bruschetta Dip Recipe featuring fresh tomatoes, basil, and garlic. Quick, easy, and perfect for entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 medium tomatoes (about 1 lb/450g), seeded and diced small
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- ¼ cup (10g) fresh basil, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (120g) sour cream
- ¼ cup (25g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (113g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Tomato Mixture Start by carefully dicing your tomatoes into small, uniform pieces after removing the seeds. Place them in a strainer over a bowl and sprinkle with a pinch of salt to draw out excess moisture. While they drain, mince your garlic as finely as possible—a microplane works wonderfully here to create an almost paste-like consistency that distributes evenly throughout the dip. Chop your fresh basil into thin ribbons by stacking the leaves, rolling them tightly, then slicing. After about 10 minutes, gently pat the tomatoes with a paper towel and transfer to a mixing bowl.
- Step 2: Season the Tomatoes In your bowl with the drained tomatoes, add the minced garlic, chopped basil, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then gently fold everything together. The key here is to mix just enough to combine—overmixing will break down the tomatoes and release more juice. Cover the mixture and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours) to allow the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Step 3: Create the Cheese Base While your tomato mixture chills, beat the softened cream cheese in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Add the sour cream and continue mixing until well combined and no lumps remain. Fold in the grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning, reserving the mozzarella for later. This cheese mixture forms the rich, creamy foundation of your Bruschetta Dip that perfectly balances the acidic tomatoes.
- Step 4: Assemble the Dip Select a shallow serving dish that allows for a nice ratio of tomato topping to cheese base in each scoop. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly across the bottom, then sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top. Place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully, until the cheese is melted and just beginning to brown in spots. Allow to cool slightly before proceeding.
- Step 5: Top and Serve Using a slotted spoon to leave any accumulated juices behind, gently spoon the chilled tomato mixture over the warm cheese layer. The temperature contrast creates a delightful sensory experience. Drizzle with a little additional balsamic glaze if desired, and garnish with a few small basil leaves. Serve immediately with toasted baguette slices, pita chips, or crackers.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 100g
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 45mg