Melty Cheesy Bruschetta Dip – Easy, Gooey & Perfect for a Crowd

Layers of melty cheese, juicy tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil baked until golden and bubbly—this easy dip is like bruschetta in gooey, shareable form!

🎉 Introduction

This Melty Cheesy Bruschetta Dip takes everything you love about classic bruschetta—fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil—and layers it with creamy, melty cheese for the ultimate hot dip. Serve it with crusty bread or crackers, and watch it disappear at parties, game day, or anytime you need an easy crowd-pleaser! 🍅🧀

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Oven-safe baking dish (8×8 or similar)
• Mixing bowl
• Knife & cutting board
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Spatula

🛒 Ingredients

🍅 Tomato Bruschetta Layer

• 2 cups diced fresh tomatoes (Roma or cherry)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt & black pepper, to taste

🧀 Cheesy Layer

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning

🍞 For Serving

• Toasted baguette slices, crostini, or crackers

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Make the Tomato Topping

1. In a bowl, combine diced tomatoes, garlic, basil, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Stir well; set aside to let flavors meld.

Step 2: Prepare the Cheese Base

1. In a separate bowl, mix cream cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, and Italian seasoning until combined.
2. Spread cheese mixture evenly in the bottom of an oven-safe dish.

Step 3: Assemble & Bake

1. Spoon tomato bruschetta mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
2. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 4: Serve

• Remove from oven; let cool 5 minutes.
• Serve warm with toasted bread or crackers.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 6–8
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Bake Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: ~30 minutes

🥄 Variations

• Extra Creamy: Add a layer of ricotta cheese.
• Spicy: Stir red pepper flakes into tomato mixture.
• Bacon: Add crumbled cooked bacon on top before baking.
• Caprese Twist: Add fresh mozzarella slices under tomatoes.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Store in airtight container up to 4 days.
• Reheat: Bake at 350°F until warm or microwave individual servings.
• Freezer: Not recommended; cheese and tomatoes lose texture.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use canned tomatoes?
   Yes—drain well to avoid excess liquid.
2. What cheese works best?
   Mozzarella, cream cheese, and parmesan for the perfect melt.
3. Can I make it ahead?
   Yes—assemble up to 24 hours in advance; bake when ready.
4. Is it vegetarian?
   Yes—no meat included.
5. What bread works best?
   Baguette slices, crostini, or pita chips.
6. Can I add herbs?
   Yes—try oregano, thyme, or rosemary.
7. Can I make it gluten-free?
   Yes—serve with gluten-free crackers or bread.
8. How do I make it lighter?
   Use reduced-fat cream cheese.
9. Can I cook it in a slow cooker?
   Yes—heat on low 1–2 hours until bubbly.
10. Can kids eat this?
    Absolutely—mild, cheesy, and kid-friendly.

🏁 Conclusion

This Melty Cheesy Bruschetta Dip is gooey, savory, and bursting with fresh tomato-basil flavor—perfect for parties, gatherings, or anytime you need an easy, cheesy appetizer everyone will love! 🧀🍅

Adam

Melty Cheesy Bruschetta Dip – Easy, Gooey & Perfect for a Crowd

This Melty Cheesy Bruschetta Dip takes everything you love about classic bruschetta—fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil—and layers it with creamy, melty cheese for the ultimate hot dip. Serve it with crusty bread or crackers, and watch it disappear at parties, game day, or anytime you need an easy crowd-pleaser! 🍅🧀

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🍅 Tomato Bruschetta Layer

• 2 cups diced fresh tomatoes Roma or cherry
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• ¼ cup fresh basil chopped
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt & black pepper to taste

🧀 Cheesy Layer

• 8 oz cream cheese softened
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning

🍞 For Serving

• Toasted baguette slices crostini, or crackers

Equipment

• Oven-safe baking dish (8×8 or similar)
• Mixing bowl
• Knife & cutting board
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Spatula

Method

 

Step 1: Make the Tomato Topping

1. In a bowl, combine diced tomatoes, garlic, basil, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Stir well; set aside to let flavors meld.

Step 2: Prepare the Cheese Base

1. In a separate bowl, mix cream cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, and Italian seasoning until combined.
2. Spread cheese mixture evenly in the bottom of an oven-safe dish.

Step 3: Assemble & Bake

1. Spoon tomato bruschetta mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
2. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 4: Serve

1. Remove from oven; let cool 5 minutes.
2. Serve warm with toasted bread or crackers.

Notes

🥄 Variations
Extra Creamy: Add a layer of ricotta cheese.

Spicy: Stir red pepper flakes into tomato mixture.

Bacon: Add crumbled cooked bacon on top before baking.

Caprese Twist: Add fresh mozzarella slices under tomatoes.

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store in airtight container up to 4 days.

Reheat: Bake at 350°F until warm or microwave individual servings.

Freezer: Not recommended; cheese and tomatoes lose texture.

❓ 10 FAQs
Can I use canned tomatoes?
Yes—drain well to avoid excess liquid.

What cheese works best?
Mozzarella, cream cheese, and parmesan for the perfect melt.

Can I make it ahead?
Yes—assemble up to 24 hours in advance; bake when ready.

Is it vegetarian?
Yes—no meat included.

What bread works best?
Baguette slices, crostini, or pita chips.

Can I add herbs?
Yes—try oregano, thyme, or rosemary.

Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes—serve with gluten-free crackers or bread.

How do I make it lighter?
Use reduced-fat cream cheese.

Can I cook it in a slow cooker?
Yes—heat on low 1–2 hours until bubbly.

Can kids eat this?
Absolutely—mild, cheesy, and kid-friendly.

🏁 Conclusion
This Melty Cheesy Bruschetta Dip is gooey, savory, and bursting with fresh tomato-basil flavor—perfect for parties, gatherings, or anytime you need an easy, cheesy appetizer everyone will love! 🧀🍅