The idea for this warm Italian dip has been bouncing around my noggin for a while now. A few weeks to be exact, but when you’re talking about something this creamy, gooey, melty, cheesy…that might as well be forever.
After the week of technological troubles I’ve had, I was craving comfort food. It also had to be incredibly simple, because Lord knows what kitchen processes the cause-all-technology-to-go-haywire aura I was giving off could have messed with. I seriously couldn’t handle a comfort food fail on top of it.
Nothing major happened, thankfully, but it was a WEIRD couple of days. One of my worst blog nightmares came true when the post for these pineapple ginger cocktails posted itself before it was ready. My ancient laptop played dead for a panic-inducing couple of seconds TWICE. Mid Insta-stalk I liked strangers’ posts from months and months ago (so not used to the big iPhone 6 screen yet).
Then I thought I’d be cleverly efficient and order Panera online for lunch one day at work, and just run over and pick it up without waiting. So smart, Alyssa! I checked out and noticed on my confirmation page that instead of sending my order to the Nashville location, I sent a bowl of turkey chili and a salad to San Diego instead. Ugh! The same internet gnomes that prematurely posted those cocktails struck AGAIN.
So when it came to this dip, I wasn’t taking any chances. Blending, heating, and stirring are all that’s required. Easy peasy!
Besides cheese and more cheese, there’s a whole can of cannellini beans in here, too! After rinsing and draining them, I gave them a whirl in the food processor with a drizzle of olive oil until they were just about all smooth. The beans added some substance to the nutrition here, but also worked so well in bulking up the dip and giving it some heft. Flimsy chips beware!
On the stove top, I mixed together marinara sauce (use your favorite!), cheese, and spices until the cheese is smooth and melted. Resist the urge to stop here and grab a spoon…you’re not done yet! Soon. Throw in the beans and stir, stir, stir until everything is heated throughout and combined. Now you’ve got yourself a warm, creamy dip bursting with Italian flavor. So good, it’ll make you forget all about hurried post status changes and frantic calls to Panera customer service. Promise. 🙂
This easy warm Italian dip is creamy and flavorful, featuring two kinds of cheese and cannellini beans. It only uses seven ingredients and takes fifteen minutes to make.
- 1 15-oz can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (I used part-skim)
- 1 8-oz block neufchâtel cheese (or regular cream cheese)
- 1 tsp dried basil, or to taste
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder, or to taste
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In the bowl of a food processor, blend cannellini beans and olive oil until mixture is just about smooth. Set aside.
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In a medium sauce pan set over medium to medium-high heat, add marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Let mixture heat and stir so that the cheese melts. Once mozzarella has melted completely, add neufchâtel and stir so it melts and everything is combined.
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Add bean mixture to the sauce pan along with basil and garlic powder. Stir so all ingredients are evenly distributed and dip is heated throughout. Serve warm.
Depending on the type of marinara sauce you use, you may wish to adjust the spice quantities to fit your tastes.
If you like things zippy, feel free to add red pepper flakes!
This recipe yields approximately two cups of dip.
Kim says
Can u make this ahead of time? And put in fridge?
Alyssa says
Hi Kim, yes that shouldn’t be an issue! When we have leftover portions of this dip, we will refrigerate it and then reheat it on the stovetop over low-medium heat before serving, stirring occasionally until it gets back to that melty cheese/creamy consistency.
Catherine says
Dear Alyssa, how delicious! This dip is perfect for parties, game day, and is the perfect comfort food after a stressful day. Happy that everything was resolved. xo, Catherine
Alyssa says
Thank you Catherine! I’m a big fan of this dip no matter what the occasion. 🙂
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
My fave party food is hands down… dips. I love them. I devour them. And I’m always looking for new creative ones! This one sounds amazing!
Alyssa says
I can’t get enough of dips! You can definitely find me at a party hovering over the dip haha! Thanks Chris!
Terri says
I’m loving that recipe and thinking pita chips as a perfect companion… A perfect duo on a cold, blustery day!
Alyssa says
Thank you Terri! Pita chips were great with this dip, we had the sea salt ones! 🙂
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
This dip looks phenomenal! I love the caprese situation going on with the tomato, mozz, and basil, and I doubly love how it is warm 🙂
Alyssa says
Thanks Medha! Caprese = <3 and having something warm to snack on was definitely a bonus in this weather!
Sarah@Whole and Heavenly Oven says
Ugh! Techy problems are this food blogger’s worst nightmare! Hopefully you get it all sorted out asap!
And about this dip. Um, can I just say that I am THIS close to head-butting into my screen. This seriously looks SO dang amazing, Alyssa!
Alyssa says
Thanks Sarah! *Fingers crossed* everything has gone back to normal but geez, so weird! This dip definitely got me through. 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Oh no, that’s happened to me twice before too, tech troubles are the worst! This dip would make everything better though! It looks amazing!
Alyssa says
Thank you Kelly! 🙂
Michelle { A Latte Food } says
Technology is sometimes the worst. And I feel you–there is totally a moment of panic when accidentally liking an old post! Haha, thankfully, you can unlike pretty quickly, but the mild heart attack is enough to make me want to eat this dip in its entirety. This looks so good!
Alyssa says
Haha yes! Exactly that. Thanks Michelle!
Mira says
I’ve never had this type of warm dip before, but it sounds delicious! Pinned to try it!
Alyssa says
Thanks Mira – I bet you’ll love it! And thanks for the pin!
Ashley says
Oh my gosh, having a post publish before it’s ready is one of my biggest fears! I’ve starting scheduling them for a later point as soon as I go in to create the post – that way I can’t accidentally publish! What a week you’ve had!
But this dip … whoa man would this make any week better! Sounds so good!
Alyssa says
Thanks girl! And that is SUCH a good idea about immediately scheduling the post out. I’m starting that immediately. Thanks for the idea!! 🙂
Isadora says
Oh no! Technology problems are the worst!! And that is so crazy about sending your order to the wrong location, haha! This dip looks like it would fix any and all problems though! I’m a sucker for chips and dip and this one looks amazing 🙂
Alyssa says
Haha I couldn’t believe that mix up! I was panicking because I had scheduled pick-up only 20 minutes after I made the order! Thankfully customer service was able to cancel my order in San Diego with plenty of time (TWO hours and 20 min) to spare. Sometimes I love that CST/PST time difference. 🙂 Thanks!
Danielle says
Technology can be so frustrating sometimes, so sorry to hear about all of your technical difficulties! This dip looks like a good way to forget about them though. I think I could get lost in that bowl and eat the whole thing! Pinned 🙂
Alyssa says
Thanks Danielle! I felt like everything I touched went a little haywire. So weird! You’re right, this dip definitely did the trick. We had serious self control issues around it! 🙂
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Oh no, those are some of my worst technology nightmares too! I am so dang careful when going thru old pictures on Instagram. But I’ve had people like really old posts of mine, and I really like that. So maybe the person took it as a huge compliment! This dip, I can’t even! Sounds delicious. I bet this would even be good as a pasta sauce too. Yum!
Alyssa says
Haha I like that way of thinking…spreading compliments! And 100% do I need to use this as a pasta sauce. YUM!! It would coat the pasta beautifully. Such a good idea!
marcie says
I’m so sorry to hear about your technical difficulties! haha And this dip sounds like the kind you just don’t want to stop eating! Yum. 🙂
Alyssa says
It was a weird tech time, that’s for sure! Things seem to be back to normal now thankfully. 🙂 Thanks Marcie! We definitely had portion-control issues with this dip. It’s just so good!
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Agh darn internet gnomes! I hope they stay away from me…I’m bad enough with technology on my own! This dip looks so creamy and delicious! Gimme a nacho!
Alyssa says
Ooh they’re tricky little guys! I’m ready for them to leave me alone for a good while. Thanks Denise!
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says
That dip looks so good and sounds even better. Genius recipe
Alyssa says
Thanks Kathy! So good. 🙂
Nostramomous says
Delicious and healthy. A winning combination!
Alyssa says
Thank you! 🙂
Consuelo | Honey & Figs says
Ugh, tech problems are the absolute worst! Glad you had a bowl of this delicious dip to comfort you though. I really hope everything’s back to normal! xxx
Alyssa says
Tech troubles make me crazy!! Thanks Consuelo. 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This dip sounds fantastic, Alyssa! Sounds like this was well-deserved after the week you’ve had. So glad everything is fixed! And I love how easy this is to whip up. I crave dips like this, more often that sweet stuff, so this is perfect for me!
Alyssa says
Thank you Gayle! Warm creamy dip makes everything better. 🙂 I think I’ve blown myself out on desserts (….for now) after the holidays + Valentine’s. I was definitely craving something savory!