Bruschetta Dip with Tomato, Basil, and Feta Cheese Recipe
This Bruschetta Dip is a vibrant and flavorful appetizer combining fresh, marinated Roma tomatoes with a creamy cheese mixture of feta, cream cheese, and sour cream. Enhanced with basil, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and finished with a garnish of red pepper flakes and Parmesan, this dip brings together bright, tangy, and savory elements perfect for entertaining guests.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Bruschetta Mixture
- 4 Roma tomatoes, cored and diced
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1–2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- Salt, to taste
Cheese Mixture
- 8 oz feta cheese block, crumbled
- ½ block cream cheese (4 oz), softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, to taste
Garnish
- More fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
- Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, for topping
Instructions
- Preparing the Bruschetta: Core and dice the Roma tomatoes into small cubes, removing seeds if a less watery dip is desired. Place them in a medium bowl and add chopped basil, minced garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a pinch of salt. Gently toss to coat the tomatoes evenly.
- Marinate the Bruschetta: Let the bruschetta mixture sit for about 10 minutes. This marination allows the tomatoes to release their juices and absorb the flavors of basil, garlic, and vinegar, enhancing freshness and depth.
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a food processor bowl, combine crumbled feta, softened cream cheese, sour cream, minced garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. Puree for 3-4 minutes until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Scrape sides as needed to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
- Season the Cheese Mixture: Taste the cheese base and add salt cautiously, as the feta already provides saltiness. Blend briefly if more seasoning is added.
- Assemble the Dip: Spread the smooth cheese mixture evenly in a shallow serving dish to form the base layer of the dip.
- Add Bruschetta Topping: Spoon the marinated bruschetta mixture on top of the cheese base, spreading evenly to ensure balanced flavor distribution in each bite.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the dip with additional chopped basil, red pepper flakes for a mild heat, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese to add a salty, umami finish and pleasing texture.
Notes
- Removing seeds from tomatoes helps reduce excess moisture for a thicker dip consistency.
- Adjust balsamic vinegar amount to taste for desired acidity and sweetness.
- For a lighter dip, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt.
- Alternatives to feta include goat cheese or ricotta, noting that this will alter the flavor profile.
- Garnishes can be modified or omitted based on spice preference and availability of ingredients.
Keywords: bruschetta dip, tomato dip, feta cheese dip, appetizer, party dip, Italian appetizer
