Description
Hearty Spicy Italian Sausage Dip blends robust flavors from savory sausage, creamy cheeses, and zesty herbs. Guests will devour this crowd-pleasing appetizer that brings warmth and comfort to any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb/454 g spicy Italian sausage, cooked and drained
- 12 oz/340 g cream cheese, softened
- 1 ¾ cups/218 g freshly grated mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup/50 g freshly shredded or grated Parmesan cheese
- 15 oz/425 g can diced tomatoes, drained
- ¾ cup/180 ml pepperoncinis, drained and diced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- Fresh chopped basil for garnish
- Crostini, toasted bread, or crackers for dipping
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously spray a 2½-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent adhesion.
- Mixing: In a large bowl, combine sausage, cream cheese, mozzarella, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasonings, blending until ingredients are thoroughly integrated and uniform.
- Assembly: Smoothly transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish, distributing evenly across the surface for consistent texture and flavor.
- Cheese Topping: Delicately sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the dip, creating a luxurious golden-cheese blanket that will melt and bubble during baking.
- Baking and Broiling: Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes until the cheese melts completely and edges turn golden. Activate the broiler for 1-2 minutes to achieve a crisp, caramelized surface, carefully monitoring to prevent burning.
- Resting and Garnishing: Allow the dip to settle for 3-5 minutes, enabling flavors to harmonize and temperature to stabilize. Adorn with freshly chopped basil leaves for a pop of color and aromatic enhancement.
- Serving: Present immediately with crostini, robust crackers, or toasted bread slices, inviting guests to dive into this rich, spicy Italian-inspired appetizer.
Notes
- Prep Like a Pro: Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother blending and easier mixing with other ingredients.
- Sausage Selection Matters: Choose high-quality Italian sausage with robust flavor, preferably fresh from the butcher for maximum taste impact.
- Prevent Greasiness: Drain excess fat from cooked sausage to keep the dip’s texture rich and creamy without becoming overly oily.
- Broiler Caution: Watch the dip closely during the final broiling stage to achieve golden perfection without burning the cheese layer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 293
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 724 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 68 mg