Caprese Dip with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Melty Cheeses Recipe
This delicious Caprese Dip combines juicy roasted cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and a trio of cheeses baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect as a crowd-pleasing appetizer, it’s served warm with crusty bread, crackers, or tortilla chips for dipping. The blend of creamy sour cream, aromatic pesto, and melty mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan delivers the classic flavors of a Caprese salad in a fun, shareable dip.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Tomato Mixture
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (divided into 1 cup whole and 1 cup halved)
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup fresh chopped basil
- 8 ounces low-moisture mozzarella cheese, cut into chunks
- 8 ounces shredded provolone cheese
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
To Serve
- Crusty bread, crackers, or tortilla chips
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and position the rack in the middle for even baking.
- Prepare and Roast Tomatoes: In a 2-quart baking dish or cast iron skillet, combine 1 cup of whole cherry tomatoes with olive oil, basil pesto, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt and black pepper to taste. Toss well to coat. Roast the tomatoes in the oven for 15 minutes until softened and juicy.
- Mix Cheese Filling: While the tomatoes roast, stir together sour cream and fresh chopped basil in a bowl. Add the mozzarella chunks, shredded provolone, and grated parmesan to the mixture and combine thoroughly.
- Combine Ingredients: Remove the roasted tomatoes from the oven and add the cheese mixture to the dish, stirring gently to combine with the tomatoes. Slice the remaining 1 cup of cherry tomatoes in half and arrange them evenly on top of the cheese mixture.
- Bake Until Bubbly and Golden: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the cheese has melted completely, the top is slightly golden, and the edges are bubbling hot.
- Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle fresh basil on top for a bright, fresh flavor. Serve warm with crusty bread, crackers, or tortilla chips for dipping into this irresistible Caprese dip.
Notes
- Use low-moisture mozzarella for best melting and less watery dip.
- Allow the dip to cool slightly before serving to avoid burns from hot cheese.
- Homemade basil pesto adds a fresher, richer flavor but store-bought works well too.
- Red pepper flakes are optional but add a nice subtle heat to the dip.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
