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Roasted Garlic Caprese Dip

A warm baked dip of roasted garlic, melted mozzarella, and sweet cherry tomatoes finished with basil, the appetizer version of caprese salad that took over summer 2026 gatherings.

70 minEasyServes 6260 cal/serving

ItalianAppetizerOvenVegetarian

Ingredients

  • 2 garlic head, top sliced off
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  • 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil, torn
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 baguette, sliced, toasted

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat the oven to 400F. Drizzle 2 top sliced off garlic head with 1/4 cup olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 35 to 40 minutes until soft and golden. Let cool slightly, then squeeze the cloves out of their skins and mash.

  2. 2

    Lower the oven to 375F. In a baking dish, stir together the mashed roasted garlic, 8 oz cream cheese, softened, and half of 2 cups shredded mozzarella until smooth.

  3. 3

    Fold in half of 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes and season with 1/2 tsp salt. Smooth the top and scatter the remaining mozzarella and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan over it.

  4. 4

    Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until bubbling and golden on top.

  5. 5

    Top with the remaining tomatoes and 1/2 cup torn fresh basil, then drizzle with 2 tbsp balsamic glaze. Serve warm with 1 toasted baguette, sliced.

Questions

Can I make Roasted Garlic Caprese Dip dairy-free?

Not cleanly. Here the dairy (8 oz cream cheese, softened, 2 cups shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan) is the backbone of the dish, and plant-based substitutes change both its texture and its flavor. If you need strictly dairy-free, start from the dairy-free appetizer collection instead.

Can I make Roasted Garlic Caprese Dip gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 1 baguette, sliced, toasted. Swap the bread or crumbs for a gluten-free loaf or gluten-free panko. Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Roasted Garlic Caprese Dip keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat covered in a 300 F oven until warmed through.

Can I halve or double Roasted Garlic Caprese Dip?

Yes. As written it serves 6. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, split it across two pans and rotate them halfway; one crowded pan bakes unevenly.

Serve it with

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