Warm Basil Pesto Cream Cheese Spread Recipe

Warm Basil Pesto Cream Cheese Spread! When I host a party, I love to serve food that can be prepared simply and easily so I can get out of the kitchen and enjoy my guests. This warm cheesy pesto spread served on crackers fits the bill!

Our guests devoured it! The best part…it is only three ingredients. I try to keep these on in case I need a last minute appetizer.

What You Need to Make this Pesto Cream Cheese Dip

• Basil Pesto, I used prepared pesto in a jar, but you can make your own from scratch!
• Cream cheese (regular or light)
• Cherry tomatoes

Tip

Cook the dip in the same dish that it will be served in so all the pesto that pools round the cream cheese while cooking can be scooped up with the crackers. I use Triscuits.

How to make Warm Basil Pesto Cream Cheese Spread

1. Spread about 1/4 cup of basil pesto on top a brick of cream cheese. Light cream cheese works great too. Use an oven safe small casserole dish.
2. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 mins until the cheese is warm through and the basil pesto is bubbly.
3. Pour ½ cup quartered cherry tomatoes over top when you pull it out of the oven. Some will fall to the side and slightly cook in the pesto, and some will stay on top, they add great color and a burst of flavor.

Basil Pesto Spread

Prep Time 8 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

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Equipment

• 1 oven proof serving dish

Ingredients  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1/4 jar basil pesto
• ▢ 1 block cream cheese regular or light
• ▢ 1/2 cup Cherry tomatoes quartered

Instructions 

• Spread about 1/4 cup of basil pesto on top a brick of cream cheese. Light cream cheese works great too.
• Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 mins until the cheese is warm through and the basil pesto is bubbly.
• Pour ½ cup quartered cherry tomatoes over top when you pull it out of the over. Some will fall to the side and slightly cook in the pesto and some will stay on top, they add great color and a burst of flavor.
• Cook the dip in the same dish that it will be served in so all the pesto pools around the cream cheese.

Notes

Serve warm with crackers. I serve mine with Triscuits.

Nutrition

Calories: 30kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 68mg | Potassium: 27mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 206IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

Servings: 6

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Author: Cindy Hopper

No Tomatoes Available?

This recipe can also be made without tomatoes! Simply prepare with cream cheese and pesto! (Anything served on top of cream cheese with Triscuits is sublime!)

I like to mix it up with different flavors of Triscuits too. I am excited to try some of their new flavors!

More Tried and True Crowd-pleasing Dips

Looking to expand your party food menu? I’ve got you covered with some of my family favorites! Please let me know in the comments if you give these a try!

• 3 Indredient Rotel Sausage Dip
• Buffalo Chicken Dip
• These Kielbasa rolls are another great party food and easy finger food.
• Honey Mustard Pretzels
• Monster Cookie Dip – this is a sweet one that you just can’t stop eating!
• It doesn’t get easier (or more delicious) than this easy Easy 3 Ingredient Appetizer