Roasted Garlic Caprese Dip

Name: Roasted Garlic Caprese Dip
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Italian
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

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

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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

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

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

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

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

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Questions

What oven temperature does Roasted Garlic Caprese Dip need?

For Roasted Garlic Caprese Dip, the oven is set to 400 F (about 205 C) in step 1. The longest stretch at that heat is 40 minutes, in step 1. The oven is also used at 375 F (about 190 C) in step 2.

How do I know when Roasted Garlic Caprese Dip is done?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 4: cook until bubbling and golden on top.

Is there a substitute for Parmesan in Roasted Garlic Caprese Dip?

The entry for Roasted Garlic Caprese Dip calls for 1/2 cup grated Parmesan. In its place: Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano, measure for measure. For dairy-free, use nutritional yeast at half the volume.

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.

Is Roasted Garlic Caprese Dip vegan?

No, though it is vegetarian. What keeps it from vegan is 8 oz cream cheese, softened, 2 cups shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan. For fully plant-based entries, see the vegan appetizer collection.

How many calories are in Roasted Garlic Caprese Dip?

One serving (the recipe makes 6) is about 260 calories, with 12 g protein, 10 g carbohydrate and 19 g fat, plus 1 g fiber and 410 mg sodium.

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