Margherita Pizza Dip (with Burrata).
There’s regular old pizza… and then there’s PIZZA DIP!
The difference??? Pizza dip is basically all the melted, gooey cheese you’d normally get on a pizza, times three! AND, the cheese is on the bottom so it’s kind like a reversed pizza. Oh my gosh, YES. I mean, really could it get any better?
Thinking not.
Here’s the thing, I almost never, ever make appetizers. I know I have told you guys this before, but with my family/the people I feed, it’s all about the big meal. No one wants to casually chat and eat a little something before dinner like civilized people. No, they really just want to sit at a table, any table, pile their plates high, and then eat and eat and eat until their tummy’s are full. It’s not a pretty sight.
This Christmas when we had a house full of people, I made an executive decision that appetizers had to be made, and guys, it was the bestest thing ever. I made brie and blue cheese and hummus and life was complete. We did apps like two-three hours before our late night dinners and it worked out amazingly. The apps held the drunken family members (not joking, Christmas was a little loosey goosey to say the least this year) over…and sobered them up a little before sitting down to dinner.
PERFECTION, and obviously they were delicious because well, appetizers RULE… cheese + carbs = happiness.
SO this all brings me to this crazy awesome Margherita Pizza Dip. With the Super Bowl happening this Sunday, I figured now is the time to up the my appetizer game. Appetizers are pretty much uncharted territory for me, so the excitement to experiment is through the roof.
Yes, I am so weird… but I feel like I say this daily.
Clearly I have accepted it.
This dip is EVERYTHING. It’s kind of the inverse of a margherita pizza. Instead of the cheese being on the bread, the cheese gets melted in a baking dish… melted until it’s hot, gooey and perfect. The bread is then used for dipping. AND my margherita pizza dip has something super special.
Burrata. Burrata. Burrata.
SO GOOD.
If you have yet to try Burrata, now is the time. It’s quickly becoming one of my favorite cheeses. It’s like a ball of fresh mozzarella on the outside, BUT inside is the creamiest, most yummiest form of ricotta. Honestly, it’s the best. Like if you’re feeling a little depressed about being single on Valentine’s Day, buy yourself a ball or two of burrata, make this dip and then let your depression fade into cheese heaven… Then finish your evening off with some chocolate.
Obviously.
Point in all my rambles: Margherita Pizza Dip + Burrata will save any and all of your day-to-day problems, AND it makes for one KILLER Super Bowl app.
There is one very important part to this dip. Well, aside from all the cheese of course.
The tomatoes!
Yes, tomatoes are not in season, I know, enter giant 🙁 I am ALL about eating seasonally, but sometimes you just gotta have some Margherita Pizza in your life. Life without Margherita pizza would be zero fun.
So the good news is that we still have pretty decent tomatoes coming in from California, which means good things for our Margherita pizza dip. So here’s my VERY important tip. Because the tomatoes are not as flavorful as they might be in the spring and summer months, it is a MUST to roast them until they are lightly charred to a golden perfection. Roasting the tomatoes brings out their natural sweetness and makes them utterly delicious. I actually do this year round with any tomatoes bigger than a golf ball. I’m personally not a fan of large tomatoes… or I take that back, I am not a fan of large tomatoes that are not of the heirloom variety. SO, if the tomatoes are large and they’re not heirloom, you can bet I will be roasting the heck out of them. Only way to go if you ask me.
And yes, I am totally a tomato snob.
I also highly recommend buying Roma tomatoes that are still on the vine. I have found that these have great flavor, even in these brutal winter months. Which by the way, this winter is brutal thus far. It’s currently windy, snowing like crazy and so cold. I am wearing two shirts and two sweatshirts at the moment. #BUNDLED
OKAY and lastly, the bread. I simply toasted up a loaf of ciabatta bread with olive oil, salt + pepper and parmesan and baked it at 375 degrees F. until crisp. Once the bread was finished, I topped it off with fresh basil. THEN you dip, bite and go to a very happy place… eyes rolling back.
Dramatic, but so true.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Margarita Pizza Dip (withBurrata!!).
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Dip
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: burrata, cheese, mozzeralla, pizza
There's regular old pizza... and then there's PIZZA DIP!
Ingredients
- 2-3 medium or 4 small tomatoes sliced thinish
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt + pepper
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese divided
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- salt + peper
- 8 ounces fresh burrata cheese
- fresh basil for serving
- toasted bread/crostini for serving
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Lie your sliced tomatoes flat on the baking sheet and drizzle with 1-2 tablespoons olive oil. Generously sprinkle the tomatoes with salt and pepper. Now sprinkle with 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the tomatoes are beginning to char and caramelize around the edges. Remove from the oven.
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Reduce the oven temp to 375 degrees F. Grease an 8-inch baking dish.
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Meanwhile, in a bowl, beat together the cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, garlic powder, basil, oregano and a good pinch of salt + pepper until evenly combined. Spread the mixture in the prepared baking dish. Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly. After 15 minutes, remove from the oven and add the roasted tomatoes and burrata cheese. Return to the oven and continue baking for another 10 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown and the burrata is warmed through.
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Top with fresh basil + pepper. Serve with toasted bread. EAT.
The cheese situation is REAL. The struggle to stop eating? Even worse.
Major score, Girl! I’m in that category of single ladies for V-day this year too so I’m definitely loving your idea of pizza dip for dinner! This looks epic!
hip, hip for the singles girls! 🙂
Love this idea! The pictures themselves look so temping. It’s great and fun idea for a party snack too. I am a huge fan of buffalo mozzarella, do you think it would work just as well?
Thank you so much! Yes, buffalo mozzarella will be delicious!
Hope you had a great day!
I find the idea of pizza dip very close to my idea of heaven on a plate…
http://bloglairdutemps.blogspot.pt/
hehe! thank you!
I think this is the most wonderful dip EVER! Let’s all just sit here in “awe” over how perfect your photos are every single recipe! MOUTH WATERING!!!! 🙂
awe, wow! Thank you! Honestly, it means a lot especially since I am having a horrible week photos wise. UGH. just cant get them right!
Looks absolutely DELICIOUS! I am so obsessed with burrata too, it’s so heavenly! We love including it on a cheese platter but I suppose in dipform is even better. Yum!
Thank you!
burrata cheese ?? I don’t believe I have seen this in the stores. Any substitutions?
shredded mozzarella cheese ?? is this fresh or vacuum packaged in the dairy case?
Thanks…looks divine..
HI! Burrata comes fresh in water. If you cannot find it, you fresh mozzarella. Let me know if you have questions. Thanks!
This looks utterly divine! Another win here Tieghan!
Thanks Kathy!
Awesome looking dip!!! Looks completely addicting!!! Perfect for Superbowl!!
Thanks Deborah!
What a mouthwatering, taste-bud tantalizing dip – seriously – wow! As a fellow single gal – I would love to cuddle up with this!
hehe! TAHNK YOU! Hope you had a great day!
Do you just put the burrata in whole with the tomatoes? Also,looks like you left the parm out of the ingredients section. This recipe looks amazing!
Hey Laura! Sorry about that, I fixed the recipe!
Yes, you add the burrata whole. Leaving it whole will prevent the cheese from drying out in the oven. Let me know if you have questions. THANKS!
This looks amazing! I really want to make it soon. I hadn’t heard of burrata cheese until reading your blog, but it sounds incredible.
Thank you! You have to try Burrata!
What happened to the 1/2. Cup olive oil in the ingredient list?
Sorry! That is a typo, I fixed it! Thanks!
There are no words! I want this dip so badly, and it’s not even lunch time yet. Pizza for breakfast? I think so.
haha! Yes! 🙂
This looks heavenly! My husband will be away on valentines day so I may have to face plant into this dip to make up for it. Any excuse to use burrata is fine by me 😉
Thanks Heather! 🙂
That’s a lot of cheese! Wow. Beautiful photos – will have to try this!
Thank you so much, Whitney! 🙂
Lol Tieghan, my husband is like that with appies. I can sometimes relate to him, I admit. The poor guy just wants to be fed 😀 This dip looks amazing btw.
haha! Thanks!
I’m drooling just looking at these pictures. Yum!
Lifestyle by Joules
Thank you!
Where can I subscribe to your blog? I’ve looked all over your site & can’t find anywhere to get emails. Is it not available to do on with a Mobile view?
Hey Ashely!!
Sorry you are having trouble finding it, honestly, I am not sure where it is on mobile…looking into this now. In the meantime, I added you to my email list. You should have an email waiting for you in your inbox. If not let me know. Sorry for the trouble.
THANKS! 🙂
I’ve never been the biggest fan of Italian food, but this looks incredible! The cheese and the tomatoes just UGH–they look amazing!
Seriously?!? I love Italian! 🙂
Thanks Cassie!
Wonderful idea to use Burrata. Fabulous photography!
~~Carmen
Baking is my Zen
Thank you!
Oh my… this is right up my alley. I’m both a burrata and baked tomato fan 🙂 Thanks for the recipe and the gorgeous and inspiring photography.
This is a cheese lover’s heaven for sure! Looks amazing, Tieghan!
Your photos are fantastic !! What camera do you use?
Thank you! I use a Canon 5D Mark iii
Be still my heart, this dip is everything! You had me at burrata – the best! 🙂
THAT CHEESE! OMG. I don’t have plans to watch the super bowl, but I totally would if this were in front of me! #cheesebabygirl is kicking;)
hehe! YEAH! 🙂
THANKS!
Me deu agua na boca! 🙂
For winter i would substitute roasted red peppers for the tomatoes~!
Sounds like a great idea, hope you love it Elizabeth!
Staying in for New Year’s Eve 2016 with my vegetarian son. Thought we’d have some Cheese Fondue. Change of plans, looks like its going to be gooey, delicious pizza mix on ciabatta served in a fondue bowl to keep it warm…Richard
Ah sounds so nice Richard! Hope you guys have an amazing christmas!
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! I usually make a spinach and artichoke dip for my appetizer, but I wanted to do something different this year. The Margarita Pizza Dip was the star of the show at my Christiana’s Eve dinner. My guests were literally scrapping the dish. I served it with a sourdough baguette because I couldn’t find the ciabatta but it was still excellent. I loved, loved the roasted tomatoes … I could’ve made a meal of just those. It went beautifully with the lasagna dinner I served. I made apple rose tarts for a light dessert. Thanks again.
WOW!! Thats so amazing Shelly. I’m so happy you tried it! Thank you so much!
Ok, I am in a little late here….. but found this recipe posted today. My mouth is watering…. I can’t wait to try this….LOVE roasted tomatoes and all that cheesy goodness, I might just tell my husband he’s on his own for Valentine’s day! 🙂
Haha, So happy you like it Erin! Thanks so much!
Made this yesterday and boy O boy will I be making this again! The burrata cheese was awesome! I added red pepper flakes and I had a Trader joe’s bag of shredded Swiss/Gruyere cheese so I added some of that too. The basil brought it all together. I love your site and tell your brother Brendon thanks for telling me about it!!
Sounds like a great pizza night haha! Thank you so much Julie!
My husband & I are (we like to think, anyway) serious foodies & home chefs. We rarely make the same recipe twice, but tonight is our second round on this one! The ooey, gooey, stringy, cheesy wonderfulness is too good! And then . . . The burratta?!?! Wowza! We both thank you, Tieghan, for bringing this recipe into our lives! Looking forward to experimenting with more.
Oh wow! So happy you like it that much!
Thank you so much for making it!
This recipe is absolutely wonderful! If possible, try to find the burrata. The first time I made this recipe I used fresh mozarella in place of burrata. It was good. The second time, I found burrata by accident at my local grocery store. Let me tell you it made all the difference. I had never tried that cheese before and I am in love now! Thanks for sharing this recipe. Your photos are amazing as well!
Burrata makes it! So happy you liked it!! Thank you so much!
just made this tonight. SO delicious. thank you!
Thank you Carissa!
The food is amazing and not too hard to do! thank you for giving me more new recipes!
Thank you! I am really glad this turned out amazing for you!
Can any of this be made ahead? I’m heading to a farm party tomorrow where kitchen availability is sparse so I’m wondering if it can be put together and toast prepped today and just heat to gooiness tomorrow.
HI! You can make the dip ahead of time and then just bake off when you get to the party. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much and happy Holidays!! xTieghan ?
I made this last night for friends and wasn’t expecting too much but WOW! This dip is amazing! I am already thinking of when I can make it again!
I love that! Thank you so much Amy! xTieghan
This looks amazing – what about adding a meat in there, like chorizo? What would that do to the recipe/baking?
Hi there! I am sure cooked chorizo will be great! Just stir it in with the cheese. I would think is should bake up just fine and be delicious! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
Hi! Does this sit well? Wondering if I made for a work party and had to reheat if it would be ok! Looks amazing!!
Thanks so much!
HI Jessica! Yes, reheating this works well! If you can use an oven for best results. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
Can I just serve with homemade crostini ? I’m taking it to a super bowl party and i think it would work better. Also can I do the second bake an hour or so later, will it get warm enough?
Hi Susan! Yes, of course you can serve with crostini. And yes, you can also finish baking an hour later too. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
We loved this dip! In the midst of the quarantine, we didn’t have cream cheese so substituted Greek yogurt. To counter the tanginess, we added a few tablespoons of pizza sauce. Delicious! Thanks for the great recipe!
Amazing! Thank you so much for trying this! xTieghan
OMG… I’d eat it everything day!
Thank you Monica! xTieghan
Awesome dip!
Thank you Ashley! xTieghan
OMG that looks spectacular!
Can’t wait to try this for myself.
Thanks for the inspiration. 😊
Thank you Kate! xTieghan
This was excellent, truly tastes like a deconstructed pizza! It is very rich, so this served 10 generously. The fresh basil really is a must!
Delicious and easy to make recipe, thank you so much!
Hey Mary,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad that it was enjoyed! xTieghan