Easy Hot Caprese Dip in Minutes
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Hot Caprese Dip is an easy party appetizer filled with the Mediterranean flavors we love! It’s zippy, cheesy, and oh-so-simple with a handful of ingredients and 15 minutes in the oven! It’s party time!
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 20-25 minutes
- Servings: Approx. 8-10 people
- Equipment: 10-inch cast iron skillet or similar oven-proof dish
Best Tips:
- For best melt, use freshly shredded cheese - pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can affect texture.
- Reserve a few halved cherry tomatoes and extra basil for garnish after baking.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes on top before serving for a light heat kick.
What I Love About This Recipe
This Hot Caprese Dip is one of those recipes that feels a little special - but takes almost no effort at all.
Made with creamy cheeses, sweet cherry tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, it delivers all the flavors of a classic Caprese salad in warm, melty, scoopable form.
It's perfect for game days, casual gatherings, or anytime you need a quick appetizer that feels elevated without being fussy. And best of all, it comes together in minutes. Here are a few more reasons to love this hot dip:
- Ready in under 20 minutes from start to finish
- Uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients
- Naturally vegetarian
- Perfect for game day, holidays, or last-minute guests
- Warm, melty, and ideal for scooping with bread or chips
For another quick appetizer, you may also love Easy Salami Caprese Skewers!
Jump to:
Hot Caprese Dip Ingredients
You'll need just a handful of fresh and pantry-friendly ingredients to make this warm Caprese-style dip.
- Sour Cream: For this dip, you can use full-fat sour cream or, to keep it a bit leaner, light sour cream works equally well.
- Shredded Cheese: For the best flavor, we use a combination of shredded mozzarella and Monterey Jack. If you prefer, you can use all Mozzarella (and by the way, I prefer a thicker shred like Tillamook’s Farmstyle because I think it melts better).
- Fresh Basil: This provides the best flavor, but if you can’t find fresh basil, you can substitute a basil pesto. But I absolutely love using fresh when possible. Save some for garnishing the top of the dip!
- Dry Spices: This dip is all about delicious flavor, and these simple dried spices are incredibly delicious in this easy dip recipe: garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
- Dijon Mustard: Just a bit of this savory ingredient makes this dip extra special.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Because a caprese salad or dip isn’t the same without sweet tomatoes. Grape tomatoes also work.
- Dippers: Pita chips, crackers, crostini, or fresh baguette rounds are perfect for dipping!
How To Make This Dip
All you need to make this easy dip is a shallow 8-inch baking dish or, as I’ve done, a 10-inch cast-iron skillet. Then, preheat the oven to 425℉.
Step 1: Combine the ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the sour cream, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. If using pesto instead of fresh basil, add it with the sour cream.
Finally, stir in the shredded cheese and fresh basil until combined. Spread into a 10-inch oven-proof skillet or square baking dish, and top with cherry tomatoes and a sprinkling of red pepper flakes if desired.
Step 2: Bake for 15 minutes
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown.
Why Everyone Loves This Hot Caprese Dip
At every gathering we host - from Super Bowl parties and game day watching to casual backyard BBQs - everyone seems to gravitate toward the dips, spreads, sauces, and finger foods.
And the cheese lovers - you know who you are - will happily park themselves near the Mediterranean cheeseboard or warm, melty dips and mingle from there.
Because really… who doesn't love a cheesy dip? Not one single person in my family.
So this hot Caprese dip is for you, cheese lovers - especially those who also love fresh basil, mozzarella, a hint of spicy mustard, and roasted tomatoes.
How to Serve Hot Caprese Dip
Serve this dip warm, straight from the oven, with:
- toasted baguette slices or crostini
- pita chips or flatbread crackers
- garlic breadsticks
- fresh vegetables like cucumber rounds or bell pepper strips
For a party spread, place it alongside other warm appetizers so it stays cozy and melty.
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
Make-Ahead:
- Prepare the dip as directed through Step 1 (mix and layer in baking dish).
- Cover tightly and refrigerate up to 8 hours before baking. Bring the dish to room temperature for 10-15 minutes before baking so the cheese melts evenly.
Storage:
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
Tip: If your tomatoes have released extra juice after chilling, gently blot before baking so the dip doesn't turn watery.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! You can assemble the dip up to 24 hours ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, let it sit at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes before baking.
This dip doesn't freeze well because the dairy changes texture once thawed. For best quality, enjoy it fresh or refrigerated only.
Absolutely! Swap Monterey Jack for provolone or fontina if you prefer a slightly different melt and flavor profile, or use all mozzarella for a classic, stretchy finish.
Yes - use dairy-free sour cream and shredded dairy-free mozzarella/cheddar blends. Note that texture and browning will be a bit different, but it's still delicious.
Try toasted baguette slices, crostini, crackers, crudités (like cucumber or bell pepper strips), or flatbread chips for plenty of dipping variety.
More Delicious Dip Recipes
If you're planning a game day menu, you may also love these easy party favorites:
- 5 Minute Refried Bean Dip
- Easy Mexican Street Corn Dip
- Black Eyed Peas Dip
- 2 Minute Greek Dill Yogurt Sauce
- Homemade Salsa with Pantry Ingredients
- 2 Minute Greek Yogurt Dill Pickle Dip
- Baked Brie Pasta
- Easy Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip
- 2 Minute Strawberry Yogurt Fruit Dip (3 Ingredients)
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Easy Caprese Dip Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup light sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese about 2 cups
- 8 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese about 2 cups
- 1/2 cup basil leaves chopped, or 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425℉.
- In a large bowl, combine the sour cream, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. If using pesto instead of fresh basil, add it with the sour cream. Then stir in the shredded cheese and fresh basil until combined.
- Spread into a 10-inch oven-proof skillet and top with cherry tomatoes.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown. Serve immediately with crostini, pita or chips!
Notes
- Garnishing the Dip: I like to reserve a few halved cherry tomatoes, add a couple of chopped green onions, and a few more fresh basil leaves. A sprinkling of red pepper flakes adds a nice punch to the flavor!
- Cheese: For best melting, use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded.
- Tomatoes: If your tomatoes are very juicy, lightly blot them before baking.
- Serving: This dip is best served warm while the cheese is fully melted.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.