Imagine a party appetizer that's so irresistibly delicious, it'll have your guests fighting for the last scoop! This Layered Pesto Appetizer Dip is not just another ordinary dip – it's a flavor explosion that combines creamy cream cheese, vibrant pesto, melty mozzarella, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and crunchy toasted pine nuts. Perfect for entertaining, this show-stopping appetizer takes just 15 minutes to prepare and will instantly elevate your hosting game from ordinary to extraordinary!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup pesto
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 1 cup of pesto, 1 cup of softened cream cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and 1/4 cup of toasted pine nuts.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with the pesto. Use a hand mixer or a spatula to blend them together until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix the shredded mozzarella cheese and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. This will be the second layer of your dip.
- To assemble the dip, take a serving dish or a shallow bowl. Start by spreading the cream cheese and pesto mixture evenly across the bottom of the dish.
- Next, add the mozzarella and sun-dried tomato mixture on top of the cream cheese layer, spreading it evenly to cover the entire surface.
- For the final layer, sprinkle the toasted pine nuts evenly over the mozzarella and sun-dried tomato layer. This will add a nice crunch and flavor to the dip.
- Once assembled, you can serve the dip immediately or refrigerate it for up to an hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
- To serve, provide a variety of dippers such as toasted baguette slices, pita chips, or fresh vegetable sticks for guests to enjoy with the layered pesto appetizer dip.
Tips
- Make sure your cream cheese is truly softened at room temperature to ensure a smooth, easy-to-blend base layer.
- Toast the pine nuts carefully – watch them closely to prevent burning, as they can go from perfectly golden to burnt in seconds.
- For the best flavor, use high-quality, fresh pesto. If possible, opt for homemade or artisanal pesto from a local deli.
- Chill the dip for about 30-60 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together and make the texture more cohesive.
- Serve with a variety of dippers to add visual interest and cater to different preferences – think crispy baguette slices, colorful vegetable sticks, and crunchy pita chips.
- This dip can be prepared a day in advance, making it perfect for stress-free party planning.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute Greek yogurt for some of the cream cheese.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 45mg
