Description
This Baked Garlic Bread Dip is a creamy, cheesy delight perfect for gatherings and cozy nights in. Roasted garlic and shallots add a sweet, mellow flavor, blended with cream cheese, sour cream, and cheeses for a rich dip that’s baked until golden and bubbly. Serve it warm with your favorite chips or toasted bread for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Roasted Aromatics
- 2 whole shallots (bottoms cut off)
- 2 heads of garlic (tops cut off)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
Dip Mixture
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped (reserve some for topping)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Roast the Garlic & Shallots: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the garlic heads and shallots on a sheet of foil, drizzle them with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt. Wrap the foil tightly to create a sealed packet, then roast for about 1 hour, or until the garlic and shallots are soft and aromatic.
- Prepare the Dip Mixture: Once roasted, squeeze the garlic and shallots out of their skins and mash them into a smooth paste. In a mixing bowl, combine this paste with the softened cream cheese and sour cream, mixing until smooth. Stir in half a cup of the mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes until well blended.
- Assemble & Bake: Spread the prepared dip mixture evenly into an 8- or 9-inch pie plate. Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake the dip for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the dip is bubbling hot.
- Serve & Enjoy: Garnish the hot dip with extra parsley and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Serve warm alongside bagel chips, toasted bread, or pita chips for dipping.
Notes
- For the best flavor, use fresh garlic and shallots for roasting.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to facilitate smooth mixing.
- You can substitute mozzarella with a mix of Italian cheeses for varied flavor.
- Keep an eye on the baking time to avoid over-browning the cheese topping.
- This dip is best served warm but can be reheated gently if needed.
