Get festive at your next pizza party with this delicious baked mozzarella and marinara dip recipe!
The fundamental flavor combination in most pizzas is tried and true and completely and utterly perfect. The best part is, you don’t have to enjoy that ooey-gooey mozzarella, piping hot marinara, and warm crispy bread crust in pie form only. The triage can be noshed on in a healthier way or in an alternate way, like the following baked mozzarella and marinara dip. This recipe is a unique, crowd-friendly way to enjoy an all-time favorite food.
What I personally love about this recipe is that it let’s me decide whether or not I want to have the crust component or not. Sometimes, when I’m feeling bloated or on the heavier side, I try to minimize carbs in my diet. This dip recipe is based in marinara sauce, spinach, basil, and mozzarella cheese, with the optional dipping vessel of toasted baguette slices. If I’m holding back on carbs, I’ll simply dig into the dig with spoon and eat it straight out of the skillet, or I’ll use it as a sauce over roasted veggies. However you dive into it, this marinara dip is worthy of a recurring appearance at your dinner table. It is also a huge crowd pleaser, because everyone can have a taste without committing to an entire slice of pizza. Plus, it helps to add a homemade feel to any get-together – you can do so much better than simply ordering in pizza from your local dealer!
Once you nail the basics of this dip recipe, try customizing it to you and your friends and family’s taste preferences. Add in roasted veggies, a variation of cheeses, or even croutons prior to broiling.
Baked Mozzarella and Marinara Dip Recipe
Serves 8
Ingredients
- 3 cups of your favorite marinara sauce (no added sugar)
- 2 cups loose fresh spinach leaves
- 1 handful fresh basil leaves
- 1 8-ounce fresh mozzarella ball, sliced
- 1 baguette, sliced
- Olive oil
- Garlic salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Set the oven to broil.
Take the baguette slices and brush each side with olive oil. Season lightly with garlic salt and pepper. Place them onto a baking sheet and pop them into the broiler for a minute on each side, or until each side is lightly toasted, not burned. Remove from oven and set aside.
In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, add the marinara sauce and spinach. Stir. Cook until the spinach is wilted. Add in the basil leaves. Stir.
Remove the skillet from the stove and take the mozzarella cheese slices and layer the across the top of the marinara sauce. Place the skillet into the oven, which is still set to broil, and let sit for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is lightly browned. Stay near the oven during this process in order to avoid burning the cheese.
Serve with the toasted baguette slices. Enjoy!
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Rich Marinara Sauce Image from Shutterstock