White Pizza Dip | How Sweet It Is

White Pizza Dip.

July 18, 2012

This is the story of how four adults ate 28 ounces of cheese.

I made this dip on the 4th of July.

I took it to a little gathering of peeps.

I was early to the party. This is not rare, as my mother scarred me for life and gave me a severe complex about punctuality because I spent most of my pre-pubescent years standing on the street outside of my dance studio, bawling my eyes out (literally) but telling people who walked by that I “had allergies,” waiting for her to pick me up 45 minutes after class ended.

But anyway. It’s not that big of a deal. Clearly.

So. There were only four people at the party when I arrived. Four, including me. Three being the hosts. None of the four being my husband with the gigantic appetite, because he was traveling for work. I know. Who travels for work on the 4th of July? How unamerican of him. Whatever.

See, the dip was hot. I baked it before going, thinking that other people also show up a few ~~hours~~ minutes early to a get together. They would appreciate a warm, gooey dip.

Well… they don’t. Should’ve known.

Buuuut it was hot. The dip. And the sun. So we HAD to eat it. And we just didn’t stop eating it. We couldn’t. It was near impossible. We ate it in our bathing suits. All of it.

That was lovely.

White pizza dip is essentially pizza dip without the tomato sauce.

I.freaking.love.it.

I don’t freaking love tomato sauce, hence my freaking love of the white pizza dip. And white pizza in general. Tons of cheese, roasted tomatoes, fresh basil and garlic. Get it?

Got it.

Good.

White Pizza Dip

serves about 6-8

1 pint grape tomatoes, tomatoes cut in half

1 teaspoon olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 1/2 (12 ounces) blocks cream cheese, softened

8 ounces mozzarella cheese, freshly grated

8 ounces provolone cheese, freshly grated

1/4 cup finely grated parmesan cheese + more for garnish

4 garlic cloves, minced or pressed

1/4 cup freshly chopped basil leaves

2 tablespoons freshly chopped thyme leaves

1/2 tablespoon freshly chopped oregano leaves

crackers, bread or chips for serving

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil then place tomatoes on top. Sprinkle with olive oil and salt, then roast for 20-25 minutes, until bursting. Set aside.

While tomatoes are roasting, mix softened cream cheese with about 7 ounces each of provolone and mozzarella, then and parmesan. Stir in fresh herbs, garlic and roasted tomatoes, mixing well to combine. Transfer mixture to an oven-safe baking dish (mine was 6 x 4 round). Sprinkle with remaining provolone and mozzarella. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until top is golden and bubbly. Serve immediately with crackers, chip or toasted bread.