Layered Pesto Spread Recipes

LAYERED PESTO CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Line a 3-cup bowl with plastic wrap; set aside. , In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. In another bowl, combine pesto and Parmesan cheese. Layer half of the cream cheese mixture, pesto mixture and sun-dried tomatoes in prepared bowl. Repeat layers. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour., Unmold onto a serving plate. Serve with crackers.

PESTO HERB SPREAD

Steps:

• Place cream cheese and pesto in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth. Mix in the chives and cilantro. Continue blending until smooth. Transfer to a mold lined with plastic wrap. Cover and chill in the refrigerator 1 hour, or until firm.

LAYERED ITALIAN DIP

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Mix cream cheese and Parmesan until blended; spread onto bottom of 9-inch pie plate.
• Top with layers of remaining ingredients.
• Bake 15 min. or until heated through.

LAYERED PESTO AND RED PEPPER DIP

Steps:

• Blend peppers and 1/2 of reduced-fat cream cheese in blender until well blended, stopping occasionally to scrape down side of blender.
• Mix remaining reduced-fat cream cheese, pesto and milk; spread onto small serving plate. Top with pepper puree.
• Refrigerate 1 hour.

PESTO CREAM CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Line a 5-3/4x3" loaf pan with plastic wrap.
• In a small bowl, combine cream cheese and garlic powder until well blended; set aside.
• In a bowl, combine Parmesan cheese, butter and pesto sauce until blended.
• Gradually stir in olive oil.
• Spread about 1/4 cup cream cheese mixture into prepared pan.
• Carefully spread with 1/3 pesto mixture.
• Repeat layers twice.
• Top with remaining cream cheese mixture.
• Cover and refrigerate at least 5 hours.
• Un-mold; serve with crackers and veggies.
• NOTE: to get nice layers refrigerate first cream cheese layer until firm then top with even layer of pesto mix. Refrigerate after each layer.

CHEESE AND PESTO SPREAD

Steps:

• Blend basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic together in a blender until evenly chopped. Add Parmesan cheese, Romano cheese, and olive oil; blend until smooth.
• Beat cream cheese and Brie cheese together in a bowl until nearly smooth.
• Beat cream in a glass or metal bowl until soft peaks form. Lift your beater or whisk straight up: the whipped cream will form soft mounds rather than a sharp peak. Fold whipped cream into cheese mixture.
• Line a 3 1/2-cup mold with plastic wrap. Spread 1/4 the cheese mixture into the mold; top with 1/3 the basil pesto. Repeat layering 2 more times, ending with cheese mixture. Refrigerate until set, 6 to 24 hours. Turn mold onto a plate and remove plastic wrap.

LAYERED PESTO AND ROASTED RED PEPPER DIP

Steps:

• Soften cream cheese to room temperature.
• Place half of the cream cheese, pesto and milk in a blender or food processor - blend until smooth.
• Remove and place into a shallow bowl or plate.
• Clean out blender/food processor.
• Place half (4 oz) of the cream cheese and the red peppers in a blender or food processor. Cover and blend 30 to 40 seconds until smooth.
• Place red pepper mixture on top of the pesto mixture.
• Place in a the refrigerator to chill for 1 hour before serving.
• Serve with Wheat Thins or your choice of crackers. You can dip the crackers in the dip or use a spreader.
• Note: Makes 9 servings of 2 Tablespoons each. If you want to make a larger serving for a party, double recipe.