Garlic Bread Dip with Roasted Garlic, Cream Cheese, and Mozzarella Recipe

Introduction

This Garlic Bread Dip is a delicious, creamy appetizer perfect for any gathering. Roasted garlic adds a rich, mellow flavor that pairs beautifully with melted cheeses and a hint of fresh parsley. Serve it warm with crostini or crackers for an irresistible snack.

Ingredients

• 2 heads garlic
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 8 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (divided)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon fresh chopped parsley (as a garnish)
• Crostini or crackers (for serving)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400℉. Prepare the garlic by removing excess outer papers and slicing off about ¼ inch from the top of each head to expose the cloves. Set aside the top portions.
2. Step 2: Create a small foil bowl to hold the garlic heads upright. Drizzle the exposed garlic tops with olive oil, then cover completely with foil. Roast in the oven for 40-50 minutes until the garlic is soft and lightly browned. Let cool before handling.
3. Step 3: Lower the oven temperature to 350℉. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins into a large mixing bowl and mash them into a paste with a fork.
4. Step 4: Add the cream cheese and sour cream to the bowl. Stir until well combined. Mix in the shredded mozzarella, half of the parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth.
5. Step 5: Spread the mixture evenly into a small baking dish (an 8×8 inch square or 8-9 inch pie pan works well). Sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese on top.
6. Step 6: Bake in the preheated 350℉ oven until the dip is hot and bubbly, about 20 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
7. Step 7: Serve warm with crostini or crackers for dipping.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dip for a mild kick.
• Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a tangier, lighter option.
• Try mixing in finely chopped fresh herbs such as basil or thyme for a different twist.
• For a dairy-free variation, substitute cream cheese and sour cream with dairy-free alternatives and use a plant-based mozzarella.

Storage

Store any leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven until warmed through, stirring occasionally to maintain creaminess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the roasted garlic ahead of time?

Yes, you can roast the garlic up to two days in advance and keep it refrigerated. Just bring it to room temperature before mixing it into the dip.

What can I substitute if I don’t have crostini or crackers?

Fresh vegetable sticks like celery, carrot, or bell pepper slices make great alternatives for dipping.

Garlic Bread Dip with Roasted Garlic, Cream Cheese, and Mozzarella Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 364 reviews

This creamy Garlic Bread Dip combines the rich, roasted flavor of garlic with smooth cream cheese, tangy sour cream, and melty mozzarella for the perfect party appetizer. Baked to bubbly perfection and topped with parmesan and fresh parsley, it’s ideal for serving with crostini or crackers.

• Author: Elias
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 65 minutes
• Total Time: 80 minutes
• Yield: About 8 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Roasted Garlic

• 2 heads garlic
• 1 teaspoon olive oil

Dip

• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 cup sour cream
• 4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (about 1 cup)
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon fresh chopped parsley (for garnish)
• Crostini or crackers (for serving)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400℉ to prepare for roasting the garlic.
2. Prepare Garlic: Remove excess papery skins from the garlic heads. Slice off about 1/4 inch from the top (the root end) to expose the garlic cloves inside. Discard the sliced top pieces.
3. Roast Garlic: Create a small foil bowl to hold the garlic heads upright. Drizzle the exposed cloves with olive oil, then cover the garlic heads completely with foil. Roast for 40-50 minutes until the garlic is soft and lightly browned. Allow garlic to cool before handling.
4. Reduce Oven Temperature: Lower oven temperature to 350℉ to prepare for baking the dip.
5. Make Garlic Paste: Squeeze the softened garlic cloves out of their skins into a large mixing bowl. Mash the garlic with a fork until it reaches a paste-like consistency.
6. Mix Dip Ingredients: Add the room temperature cream cheese and sour cream to the garlic paste and mix until thoroughly combined. Then stir in shredded mozzarella, half of the parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until evenly mixed.
7. Assemble and Bake: Spread the dip mixture into a small baking dish (8×8 inch square or an 8-9 inch pie pan). Sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese on top.
8. Bake: Place the dish in the oven at 350℉ and bake until the dip is hot and bubbly with a lightly golden top, around 20-25 minutes.
9. Serve: Garnish the baked dip with fresh chopped parsley and serve warm alongside crostini or crackers.

Notes

• Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature for easier mixing and smooth texture.
• Roasted garlic can vary in sweetness and softness depending on roasting time; check at 40 minutes and adjust if needed.
• This dip pairs wonderfully with toasted baguette slices, crostini, or your choice of crackers.
• For a lighter version, substitute part of the sour cream with Greek yogurt.
• Leftover dip can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven or microwave.

Keywords: garlic bread dip, roasted garlic dip, party appetizer, creamy garlic dip, baked cheese dip