Ingredients
Roasted Tomatoes
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, divided
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons basil pesto (homemade or store bought)
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup fresh chopped basil
- 8 ounces low-moisture mozzarella cheese, cut into chunks
- 8 ounces shredded provolone cheese
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Serving
- Crusty bread, crackers, or tortilla chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F and position the oven rack in the middle to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare and Roast Tomatoes: Place 1 cup of whole cherry tomatoes in the bottom of a 2-quart baking dish or cast iron skillet. Drizzle with olive oil and add basil pesto, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and season with kosher salt and black pepper. Toss gently to coat all the tomatoes evenly. Bake for 15 minutes until tomatoes start to soften and release juices.
- Mix Cheese and Sour Cream: While tomatoes roast, combine the sour cream and fresh chopped basil in a bowl. Add the chunks of mozzarella, shredded provolone, and grated parmesan cheese, stirring gently to mix.
- Combine and Add More Tomatoes: Once the tomatoes are roasted, add the cheese mixture into the baking dish with the tomatoes. Toss everything gently to combine and distribute the cheese evenly. Slice the remaining 1 cup of cherry tomatoes in half and arrange them on top of the cheese layer for freshness and texture.
- Final Bake: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes. Bake until the cheese is melted, the top is slightly golden, and the edges are bubbly and hot.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the dip from the oven and immediately top with additional fresh basil. Serve warm with crusty bread, crackers, or tortilla chips for dipping.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh pesto with store-bought for convenience.
- Adjust red pepper flakes quantity according to your spice preference.
- Use a cast iron skillet or an oven-safe baking dish for best roasting and melting results.
- For a lighter option, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt.
- Serve the dip warm to enjoy the melty cheese texture fully.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian