Marry Me Dip Recipe
A luscious, creamy dip layered with the bold essence of sun-dried tomatoes, velvety cheeses, and aromatic Italian herbs, this Marry Me Dip delivers everything you want in a warm appetizer—comfort, flavor, and elegance. It’s the kind of dish that turns casual gatherings into unforgettable moments. Perfect for holidays, date nights, or cozy weekends at home, this dip earns its name with every irresistibly rich bite.
Ingredient Breakdown
The foundation of this dish is a trio of creamy components that work in harmony to create a smooth, luxurious texture. Cream cheese provides the base—dense, rich, and perfectly tangy—while sour cream adds lightness and silkiness. The mozzarella, both creamy and stretchy, binds everything together, ensuring a satisfying melt that pulls with every scoop.
The sun-dried tomatoes bring a concentrated burst of umami and sweetness, enhanced by a touch of tomato paste for depth and richness. Garlic, gently sautéed, builds an aromatic backbone that fills the kitchen with warmth, while the Italian seasoning infuses each bite with familiar, comforting Mediterranean notes. Parmesan introduces its distinct nuttiness, balancing the creamy base with a savory sharpness. Finally, fresh basil and a touch of salt and pepper complete the flavor symphony with freshness and balance, making this dip irresistibly well-rounded.
Step-by-Step Preparation Guide
Begin by preheating the oven to 375°F (190°C) and setting your ingredients within easy reach—a simple step that ensures a smooth cooking flow. In an oven-safe skillet, the reserved oil from the sun-dried tomato jar becomes a golden elixir, carrying the flavor of the tomatoes themselves. When the minced garlic and tomato paste hit the heat, their transformation begins—the garlic turns fragrant and slightly nutty, while the tomato paste deepens in color, concentrating its sweetness and acidity.
Once the base aromatics have bloomed, remove the skillet from the heat to avoid scorching. Stir in cubes of softened cream cheese and spoonfuls of sour cream, watching as they melt into a silky, cohesive mixture. Fold in the spinach for a touch of earthy freshness, followed by the Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. The chopped sun-dried tomatoes bring vivid specks of color and tang, while a generous cup of mozzarella binds the mixture into a creamy, cohesive filling.
Smooth the mixture across the skillet’s surface with a spatula, then scatter the remaining mozzarella on top for that signature bubbly crust. Bake for about 8 to 10 minutes until the edges begin to sizzle and the cheese glows molten. For the final flourish, broil briefly—just enough to achieve that delicate golden-brown top. Once out of the oven, a scattering of fresh basil brings brightness and aroma. Serve immediately, warm and gooey, alongside crisp crostini toast for dipping.
Recipe Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing the best skillet:
Use an enamel-coated or cast-iron skillet to retain heat and deliver that oven-to-table presentation effortlessly.
Achieving creamy perfection:
Avoid overheating when adding the cheeses—gentle folding keeps the mixture smooth instead of grainy.
Make-ahead convenience:
Prepare the mixture a few hours ahead, refrigerate, and bake right before serving for stress-free entertaining.
Flavor twists:
Add roasted red peppers for sweetness, artichokes for tang, or switch up the cheese blend with fontina or provolone for extra richness.
Using fresh spinach:
You can substitute with fresh spinach, just sauté lightly and drain well to avoid excess moisture.
Storing leftovers:
Keep in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. Reheat gently in the oven until warmed through.
Serving time limit:
For best quality, serve the dip within two hours of baking to maintain its creamy consistency.
Skillet alternatives:
If you don’t have cast iron, use a ceramic or glass baking dish—just ensure even heating.
What to Serve With This Recipe
This dip shines brightest when served with contrasting textures and complementary flavors. Crisp crostini or pita chips are the classic companions, offering the crunch that offsets the creamy, molten filling. For a fresher touch, try cucumber slices, celery sticks, or colorful bell pepper strips—they provide a light, crisp balance that refreshes the palate between bites.
If you’re curating a spread for guests, consider pairing the Marry Me Dip with an antipasto platter brimming with olives, marinated artichokes, and cured meats. For a heartier option, serve it alongside toasted baguette rounds brushed with olive oil and sea salt. When it comes to drinks, crisp white wines such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc highlight the tangy creaminess, while sparkling mocktails or light cocktails add a playful finish.
Creative Variations
For those who crave heat, add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes or a few diced jalapeños for a fiery twist that cuts through the richness. To give it a Mediterranean flair, fold in chopped Kalamata olives, crumbled feta, and roasted red peppers for layers of tangy complexity. If cheese is your love language, go all-in with a three-cheese topping of mozzarella, provolone, and fontina to create a deeply satisfying, gooey crust.
The Marry Me Dip isn’t just another appetizer—it’s a statement of flavor and comfort. Each spoonful offers a blend of creamy indulgence, roasted tomato richness, and herby sophistication that’s impossible to resist. Whether shared among friends or served as the star of the table, this dip guarantees that everyone will be coming back for seconds—and quite possibly, asking for the recipe before the night is over.
Ingredients
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened and cubed
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/4 cups shredded low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup drained julienne-cut sun-dried tomatoes in oil, finely chopped
1 tablespoon oil from the sun-dried tomato jar
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 (6-ounce) package frozen cut leaf spinach, thawed, drained, and thoroughly patted dry
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Chopped fresh basil, for garnish
Crostini toast, for serving
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and gather all your ingredients to streamline the cooking process.
In a 10-inch oven-safe or enamel-coated cast-iron skillet, warm the reserved sun-dried tomato oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and tomato paste, stirring continuously for 2 to 3 minutes until the garlic releases its aroma and the tomato paste deepens in color.
Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the cream cheese and sour cream, whisking or stirring until the mixture becomes smooth, creamy, and well combined. Gently fold in the spinach, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and 1 cup of mozzarella. Stir until every ingredient is evenly distributed and the mixture takes on a rich, cohesive texture.
Spread the dip mixture evenly across the skillet, smoothing the surface with a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of mozzarella evenly over the top for a perfectly melty finish.
Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and the edges begin to bubble. Switch the oven setting to broil and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, just until the top layer turns lightly golden and blistered.
Remove from the oven and allow the dip to rest briefly. Garnish with freshly chopped basil for a burst of color and freshness. Serve warm with crisp crostini toast for dipping—the irresistible combination of creamy cheese and sun-dried tomato richness is guaranteed to impress.
Marry Me Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/4 cups shredded low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese divided
- 1/2 cup drained julienne-cut sun-dried tomatoes in oil finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon oil from the sun-dried tomato jar
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 6-ounce package frozen cut leaf spinach, thawed, drained, and thoroughly patted dry
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Chopped fresh basil for garnish
- Crostini toast for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and gather all your ingredients to streamline the cooking process.
- In a 10-inch oven-safe or enamel-coated cast-iron skillet, warm the reserved sun-dried tomato oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and tomato paste, stirring continuously for 2 to 3 minutes until the garlic releases its aroma and the tomato paste deepens in color.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the cream cheese and sour cream, whisking or stirring until the mixture becomes smooth, creamy, and well combined. Gently fold in the spinach, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and 1 cup of mozzarella. Stir until every ingredient is evenly distributed and the mixture takes on a rich, cohesive texture.
- Spread the dip mixture evenly across the skillet, smoothing the surface with a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of mozzarella evenly over the top for a perfectly melty finish.
- Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and the edges begin to bubble. Switch the oven setting to broil and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, just until the top layer turns lightly golden and blistered.
- Remove from the oven and allow the dip to rest briefly. Garnish with freshly chopped basil for a burst of color and freshness. Serve warm with crisp crostini toast for dipping—the irresistible combination of creamy cheese and sun-dried tomato richness is guaranteed to impress.