Warm Italian Pepper Dip Recipes

STUFFED BANANA PEPPER DIP

Steps:

• Hold peppers over a flame or place on a grill to char.
• Chop peppers removing ends, rib and seeds.
• Saute onions and garlic in olive oil for about a minute.
• Add sausage and brown for another minute
• Add peppers and continue to saute until they are wilted.
• Add marinara and mix well.
• Add cheese reserving a handful (1/4 cup) for the top.
• Transfer to a serving dish and top with remaining cheese.
• Place under broiler to melt cheese.
• Serve with baguette slices, chips or crackers.

ITALIAN SEVEN-LAYER DIP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the crostini: Lay the baguette slices on a baking sheet. Brush with the oil and then sprinkle with the salt, garlic powder and some fresh pepper. Bake for 15 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. Remove the crostini from the oven and set aside. Turn the oven to broil.
• For the dip: In medium bowl, combine the ricotta with salt and pepper to taste. Mix until fully combined, then transfer to an 8-by-8-inch pan, spreading the mixture evenly across the bottom. Set aside.
• In a large pan with a lid, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions, and sweat for 3 to 5 minutes. Add the halved grape tomatoes, chicken stock and garlic and bring to a boil; cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook until the tomatoes have softened and the mixture has thickened, about 15 minutes.
• While the tomatoes are cooking, add the sausage to a saute pan over high heat. Break up sausage with a wooden spoon and cook it through. When the sausage is finished, spoon it directly over the ricotta and spread it out evenly.
• When the tomatoes are done, spoon them over the sausage layer. Top the tomato layer with the sliced pepperoncini, marinated artichokes and roasted peppers. Place the halved ciliegine on top.
• Place the dip under the broiler and broil on high heat until the cheese has browned slightly, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove the dip from the broiler and top with the basil. Serve immediately with the crostini.

HOT ITALIAN TOMATO AND CREAM CHEESE DIP

Steps:

• Heat stewed tomatoes till a bit bubbly and add the cream cheese.
• Stir until well blended.
• Remove from heat and serve in a nice serving bowl with tortilla chips or chunks of Italian bread.
• I sometimes will cut out the center of a round bread, line the inside with foil and pour in the dip.
• Cut up the center portion of the bread and use it to dip into the dip.
• Caution: if you do the bread bowl idea -- make sure you line it well so the liquid doesn't have a chance to soak into the outside rim of the bowl -- I have done that by accident and it is not a pretty sight!

WARM ITALIAN VEGETABLE & CHEESE DIP

Steps:

• Cook and stir eggplant, onions, peppers and garlic in dressing in large skillet on medium heat 8 min.
• Stir in zucchini and tomatoes; cover. Simmer 5 to 7 min. or until tender. Stir in Parmesan cheese.
• Spoon into serving bowl. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Serve with the chips.

HOT PIZZA DIP

Steps:

• In a bowl, beat cream cheese and Italian seasoning. Spread in an ungreased 9-in. microwave-safe pie plate. , Combine mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses; sprinkle half over the cream cheese. Top with the pizza sauce, remaining cheese mixture, green pepper and onion. , Microwave, uncovered, on high for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is almost melted, rotating a half-turn several times. Let stand for 1-2 minutes. Serve with breadsticks or tortilla chips.

WARM FETA CHEESE DIP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, feta cheese, peppers and basil until blended. Transfer to a greased 3-cup baking dish. Bake until bubbly, 25-30 minutes. Serve with baguette slices or chips., Editor's Note: To prepare in a slow cooker, mix ingredients as directed. Pour into a greased 1-1/2-qt. slow cooker; cook, covered, on low until heated through, 2-3 hours.

HOT ROASTED RED PEPPER AND ARTICHOKE DIP

Steps:

• Beat cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise together with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth.
• Stir in roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, and about half the mozzarella cheese.
• Pour mixture into a slow cooker.
• Sprinkled the remaining mozzarella on top.
• Cook on Low until cheese is melted and the dip is bubbly, 2 to 3 hours. Serve with Italian bread slices.

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.

HOT ITALIAN ANTIPASTI DIP

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray large cookie sheet with cooking spray. Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• Place bread slices on cookie sheet. Brush on both sides with olive oil; set aside.
• In medium bowl, mix Italian cheese blend, cream cheese, sour cream, artichoke hearts, garlic, oregano and pepper flakes. Spread evenly in baking dish.
• Top cheese mixture in baking dish with salami and prosciutto, then top with roasted peppers and olives. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake 20 to 24 minutes or until bubbling. Meanwhile, bake bread slices in same oven 20 to 24 minutes or until golden brown and toasted.
• Top dip with basil; serve with toasted bread slices.

HOT PIZZA DIP

Steps:

• Combine cream cheese and seasonings.
• Spread in the bottom of a 9 inch pie plate. (I used a round cake pan). Combine cheeses and sprinkle half over the cream cheese layer.
• Spread sauce over that. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.Bake 350 for 20 minutes.
• Serve warm with breadsticks or tortilla chips.
• (I used pita triangles).