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Irresistible Garlic Bread Cheese Dip

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This warm, creamy garlic bread cheese dip combines cream cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan with roasted garlic, butter, and Italian herbs for the ultimate party appetizer! It tastes just like garlic bread but in dippable form – rich, garlicky, cheesy, and absolutely irresistible. Baked until golden and bubbly, this easy dip is perfect for any gathering!

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8-10 servings (about 3 cups of dip) 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For Roasted Garlic:

  • 1 whole head of garlic
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • Pinch of salt

For the Dip:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (about 6 oz), divided
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 whole head roasted garlic (about 8-10 cloves), mashed into a paste
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped, divided
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For Serving:

  • Toasted baguette slices
  • Crackers
  • Breadsticks
  • Vegetable sticks (optional)
  • Extra fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Roast the garlic (if not already prepared). Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut about ¼ inch off the top of the garlic head to expose the cloves. Place on a piece of aluminum foil, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Wrap tightly in foil. Roast for 35-40 minutes until the cloves are soft, golden, and caramelized. Let cool, then squeeze the soft cloves out of their skins and mash into a smooth paste with a fork. Set aside.
  2. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) if not already hot from roasting garlic. Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish or 9-inch cast-iron skillet with butter or cooking spray.
  3. Mix the dip base by combining the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, melted butter, and roasted garlic paste in a large mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer or sturdy spatula to beat until smooth, creamy, and well combined with no lumps. The mixture should be fluffy and uniform in color.
  4. Add most of the cheese and seasonings by folding in 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, ⅓ cup of the Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, 3 tablespoons of the fresh parsley, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir until everything is evenly distributed throughout the cream cheese mixture. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed – it should be well-seasoned and garlicky!
  5. Transfer to baking dish by spreading the mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula. The mixture should fill the dish in an even layer about 1-1½ inches thick.
  6. Add the topping by sprinkling the remaining ½ cup mozzarella cheese and remaining Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the dip. This creates that beautiful golden, bubbly, slightly crispy top layer.
  7. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until the dip is hot and bubbly throughout, and the cheese on top is melted and turning golden brown in spots. You should see the edges bubbling and the top should be beautifully golden. For extra browning, turn on the broiler for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
  8. Cool slightly for 3-5 minutes before serving. This allows the dip to set slightly and prevents burnt tongues! The dip will be extremely hot straight from the oven.
  9. Garnish and serve by sprinkling the remaining fresh parsley over the top and serving immediately while warm and gooey. Provide toasted baguette slices, crackers, or breadsticks for dipping.

Notes

  • Roasted garlic ahead: Roast garlic up to 3 days ahead and store refrigerated in an airtight container. This saves time on party day!
  • No roasted garlic? In a pinch, use 2 teaspoons garlic powder or 3-4 cloves of minced fresh garlic sautéed in butter, but roasted garlic provides the best flavor.
  • Make it ahead: Assemble the dip completely (through step 5), cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add the cheese topping and bake when ready to serve, adding 5 minutes to the baking time since it starts cold.
  • Keeping warm: Keep the dip warm in a small slow cooker on low or warm setting for parties.
  • Consistency: If the dip seems too thick, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of milk or cream before baking.
  • Cast iron magic: Baking in a cast-iron skillet creates beautiful presentation and keeps the dip warm longer.
  • Crispy top: For an extra crispy, golden top, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully.

  • Author: Samantha Nelson
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: ⅓ cup dip (without bread/crackers)
  • Calories: 245
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 420mg
  • Fat: 21g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 4g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 10g
  • Cholesterol: 60mg

Find it online: https://charmingsnacks.com/garlic-bread-cheese-dip/