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Baked Cheesy Garlic Dip

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This baked cheesy garlic dip is the ultimate pizza side—creamy, gooey, and loaded with sautéed garlic and a swirl of herb butter. It’s easy to make, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for dipping pizza crusts, breadsticks, or veggies.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup whole milk mozzarella, shredded
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter (2 tbsp for dip, 1 tbsp for herb swirl)
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried oregano, basil, and thyme)
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish, optional)
  • 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/4 tsp cracked black pepper
  • Red pepper flakes (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a small skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Do not let it brown.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, sautéed garlic with butter, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and well combined.
  4. Transfer the cheese mixture to an 8-inch oven-safe baking dish and spread evenly.
  5. In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tbsp butter. Stir in Italian seasoning and half the chopped parsley. Drizzle the herb butter over the cheese layer and gently swirl with a knife or toothpick.
  6. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and the edges are lightly golden. For a deeper crust, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end, watching closely.
  7. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with extra parsley and a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired. Serve hot with pizza crusts, breadsticks, or veggies.

Notes

Use full-fat cheeses for best texture and flavor. Sautéing garlic in butter mellows its flavor and infuses the dip. Don’t overbake—remove when bubbly and golden. For a pretty presentation, swirl the herb butter gently. The dip is naturally gluten-free; serve with gluten-free dippers if needed. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to a month.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy garlic dip, pizza side, baked dip, appetizer, party dip, Italian dip, garlic cheese dip, easy dip recipe, gluten-free dip, vegetarian dip

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/baked-cheesy-garlic-dip-recipe-best-easy-pizza-side-ever/