Description
A fresh and flavorful Veggie Pizza Dip that combines a creamy cheese base with colorful chopped vegetables, topped with melted mozzarella and fresh basil. Perfect for parties and gatherings, this no-cook dip offers all the tastes of a pizza in an easy-to-serve appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Base
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise (optional, for extra creaminess)
For the Toppings
- 1 cup chopped bell peppers (red, green, yellow, or a mix)
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes, seeds removed
- ½ cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 cup sliced black olives
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the dip base: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and mayonnaise (if using). Mix until smooth and well combined. Spread the mixture into an even layer at the bottom of a baking dish or shallow serving dish.
- Prepare the veggies: Chop your bell peppers, tomatoes, red onion, and slice the black olives. Pat the vegetables dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture, especially from the tomatoes.
- Layer the veggies on top: Evenly distribute the chopped vegetables (bell peppers, tomatoes, red onion, and black olives) over the cream cheese base. Make sure each topping is evenly spread out.
- Add the mozzarella topping: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the veggies, covering the entire surface.
- Chill the dip: Refrigerate the veggie pizza dip for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the dip to firm up slightly.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a touch of color and freshness. Serve the dip chilled with your choice of crackers, bread, pita chips, or fresh vegetable sticks like carrots, cucumber, and celery.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, you can add the optional tablespoon of mayonnaise to the base mixture.
- Ensure vegetables, especially tomatoes, are patted dry to prevent the dip from becoming watery.
- Chilling the dip improves flavor melding and helps it firm up, making it easier to scoop.
- This dip can be made a few hours ahead of time and stored covered in the refrigerator.
- Feel free to customize the veggies according to your preferences or seasonal availability.
