This Three Cheese Lasagna Dip with bubbly layers of mozzarella, ricotta, and marinara sauce is an irresistible party appetizer.
What is it about dips that are so irresistible?
Is it the layers of flavors and textures? How crazy easy they are to make? The joy of dunking a chip or a cracker?
No wait, who am I kidding? It’s the cheese.
It’s definitely the gooey, melty cheese. It’s the cheese all golden browned and bubbly. It’s the cheese creating a string of yum from the pan to your cracker.
This Three Cheese Lasagna Dip with bubbling layers of mozzarella, ricotta, and marinara is an irresistible party appetizer.
What is it about dips that are so irresistible?
Is it the layers of flavors and textures? How crazy easy they are to make? The joy of dunking a chip or a cracker?
No wait, who am I kidding? It’s the cheese.
It’s definitely the gooey, melty cheese. It’s the cheese all golden browned and bubbly. It’s the cheese creating a string of yum from the pan to your cracker.
It’s always about the cheese.
Well, at least it is in the case of this lasagna dip. Three cheeses-ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella–with 2 layers of tomato sauce, a hint of garlic, and fresh sprinkling of basil.
This, my friends, is muy bueno.
I know it’s totally the wrong language for an Italian dip. But this girl doesa- not-a speak-a da Italian. So you get Spanish instead. I’m pretty sure every Italian in the world just shuddered a little. Sorry for that.
We served this at a neighborhood gathering and it was gone in about 30 minutes. Which is great…and terrible, since the event was supposed to last 2 hours. What did we learn? Always double the lasagna dip.
We served these with Triscuit’s sun dried tomato and basil crackers (Ohmalordie!) and they were the perfect compliment, but any tasty cracker or even pita will do you just dandy. And *triple bonus points* this dip is gluten free AND vegetarian. Can you say WINNA?!
If you’re looking for more ways to get cheesy dips in your face, check out this Hot Crab Dip or 3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Queso.
Three Cheese Lasagna Dip
Ingredients
- 2 cloves garlic
- 14-16 oz. jarred spaghetti or pizza sauce (check to make sure it's gluten free! I used Prego's traditional)
- Dried Italian herbs
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- Crackers, for serving
- 1/4-1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
- 15 oz. part skim ricotta cheese
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Heat the oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic cloves and cook until fragrant, stirring often, about 1 minute.
- Grease a 9 inch deep dish pie plate and spread ricotta evenly across the bottom. Spread cooked onion mixture on top of ricotta.
- Layer ½ the tomato sauce followed by ½ the mozzarella over the onion. Then repeat.
- Grate about ¼-12 cup Parmesan cheese over the last mozzarella layer. Sprinkle evenly with dried Italian herbs.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until browned and bubbly. Remove, sprinkle with fresh basil, and serve warm with crackers.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 240 Total Fat: 16g Saturated Fat: 10g Cholesterol: 56mg Sodium: 504mg Carbohydrates: 8g Fiber: 1g Sugar: 3g Protein: 15g
Ruthy says
August 30, 2013 at 9:24 AMThis dip looks amazing! And I agree, girl- it’s alllll about the cheese, every time. I’m so excited for football season to really kick off.
Microplanes are a MUST in our kitchen. I only use the box grater when we have gargantuan amounts of cheese to shred, say for sauce. But everything else gets the treatment of the microplane. Great giveaway!
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
September 3, 2013 at 12:31 PMI’m in love with them, but they’re probably bad for our health. Since it’s so easy to just grate some cheese really quickly, I find myself putting Parmesan on EVERYTHING.
Ashley says
August 30, 2013 at 9:58 AMI have so been wanting to get myself a microplane grater! I didn’t even know there were different kinds! I’m a horrible citrus zester–and no wonder! I need one of those microplanes 😉
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
September 3, 2013 at 12:30 PMIt makes a world of difference. Now it’s not such a chore to get minced garlic or ginger.
Jaclyn Larisa says
August 30, 2013 at 11:54 AMThis looks sooo amazing, I’ll definitely be making this dip on an upcoming football Sunday. I loved it so much I featured it on my blog today. Great giveaway too!
xxx
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
September 3, 2013 at 12:30 PMThanks for the feature. I hope you love it as much as we do!
Ashley Martin says
August 30, 2013 at 1:32 PMThe dip looks great, and so does the Microplane set!
Katie Arnold says
August 30, 2013 at 3:18 PMFact: Joe only eats freshly grated cheese
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
September 3, 2013 at 12:30 PMWhat??! That is hilarious. You definitely need some quality graters in your life.
Webicurean says
August 30, 2013 at 5:53 PMIt’s always the gooey, melted cheese–you had me hooked at “three cheese” — oh, lasagna dip, that’s nice too, but three cheese!!! I need to make this dip.
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
September 3, 2013 at 12:29 PMI know. Cheese gets me every time!
Julie says
August 31, 2013 at 2:59 PMI bookmarked this recipe to try thanks for the giveaway
Krista says
September 2, 2013 at 2:22 AMWhoa!! The picture of that dip just rocked my socks off! Can hardly wait to make this and share with my family. The giveaway looks amazing as well!
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
September 3, 2013 at 12:29 PMThanks Krista. 🙂 Please come back and tell me how you like it!
Rob says
September 2, 2013 at 2:20 PMThis dip looks and sounds amazing. We’re going to make it for our Labor Day party! Thanks for sharing.
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
September 3, 2013 at 12:29 PMGreat! Let me know how you like it. 🙂
Justine says
September 2, 2013 at 5:49 PMThis dip looks perfect for tailgating!! Wonderful!
Zandra says
September 2, 2013 at 7:40 PMThis looks delicious–an ingenious dip that is the best of 2 worlds. Love the microplane graters, too. I sure would appreciate having them! Thanks for the opportunity.
Miss Foodie Fab says
September 3, 2013 at 10:41 AMThis recipe looks delicious and I need those graters in my life. Thanks!
Mer says
September 3, 2013 at 1:35 PMI’m making this for my next tailgate party! That melted cheese just looks so delicious. I think I’d have to invest in some sort of cabinet lock if I won this, as an alternative to my box grater would mean I’d be putting cheese on EVERYTHING.
john hutchens says
September 3, 2013 at 1:41 PMdips would be great for my annual superbowl party
Lamb says
September 3, 2013 at 4:57 PMPeach crumb pie sounds Deeelish!!
Katie says
September 3, 2013 at 5:34 PMi think i’d actually make your featured recipe! Holy heck it looks delicious!!! Mmmm lasagna!
kyl neusch says
September 3, 2013 at 11:04 PMthe dip looks great!
chadi says
September 3, 2013 at 11:06 PMI’d love to make an Impossible Pie’ that requires, cheeses, tomato, ground beef and bisquick mix
reneeg says
September 3, 2013 at 11:32 PMThe first thing I would make is some zucchini bread.
hawkshoe says
September 4, 2013 at 6:49 AMI would make gnocchi with crab sauce.
cynthiac says
September 4, 2013 at 7:39 AMI would make an Asian Salmon recipe that uses grated ginger.
Shani F. says
September 4, 2013 at 8:06 AMI would make nachos.
Kelsey says
September 4, 2013 at 11:17 AMThe REAL question is what WOULDN’T I use these for!?! I use a box grater almost daily… grating a lot of cheese, or vegetables for dinner. Having single graters would make life that much easier, and especially easy to clean!! 🙂 And a good parm grated over a homemade spaghetti sauce would probably be the first thing I would use a Microplane grater for!
Lindsey M says
September 4, 2013 at 12:47 PMI would make some chicken enchiladas or some Tsatziki sauce
Sydney G says
September 4, 2013 at 3:51 PMI would make anything with parmesan and lemon zest–yum!
Laura says
September 4, 2013 at 8:09 PMThese look fantastic! So many grate (ha!) things would come from this.
Hannah says
September 4, 2013 at 11:39 PMHommus!
Amalia Campbell says
September 5, 2013 at 11:18 AMI NEVER buy already grated cheeses so this would be awesome for my family’s favorite homemade mac and cheese!
Leigh says
September 5, 2013 at 12:03 PMOh I would use it for cheese to either make some Cheese Fries or Nachos for game day! It’s all about football in our house right now!
Courtney says
September 5, 2013 at 10:38 PMI would make homemade macaroni & cheese
Tabitha Pyle says
September 6, 2013 at 1:29 PMI would use it for cheese,when having chili cheese dogs!
yum,yum,yum!
kayleefaith1228@aol.com
Richard Fox says
September 7, 2013 at 12:36 AMI would use them for making Key lime or lemon cheesecake.
Joni Dolniak says
September 7, 2013 at 9:42 PMI would use it for pizza and tacos.
Angela says
September 7, 2013 at 9:51 PMI would make nachos!
Jordanka Patricia Pulido says
September 7, 2013 at 10:48 PMi would make enchiladas
Beccatokki says
September 8, 2013 at 1:53 AMI would make latkes with my graters! Delicious, hand grated potatoes with grated onions, perfecto~!
Darlene Carbajal says
September 8, 2013 at 12:07 PMTacos 🙂
Michelle Horstman says
September 8, 2013 at 2:41 PMI would make burritos and all types of pinterest recipes that call for the special blocks of cheese! I always have to use a potato peeler to grate my cheese!
Erica Chao says
September 8, 2013 at 2:42 PMDefinitely a 4 cheese mac and cheese oven baked dish!
Ali Goff says
September 8, 2013 at 2:43 PMI love making homemade pizza and cheesy garlic bread.
tallcapp says
September 8, 2013 at 3:12 PMI would make my basil, olive, tomato spaghetti and grate fresh cheddar over the top.
paulinem says
September 8, 2013 at 4:21 PMWhat I’d make?!? The possibilities are endless! I would use the zester for my strawberry cream pie, the grater for my awesome $15 grilled cheese and of course there is my alfredo pizza which is always a huge hit!
Samantha says
September 8, 2013 at 5:35 PMI would make some mac and cheese!
Jean B. says
September 8, 2013 at 6:45 PMI would use them to help make delicious British goodies — ever since I came to the US, I only crave my native cuisine more. 🙂
Deb Smith says
September 8, 2013 at 7:24 PMI would make a ham and cheese casserole.
Sue says
September 8, 2013 at 8:55 PMGoing to attempt the lasagna pictured here with my mom!
Lisa Garner says
September 8, 2013 at 9:25 PMI would love to make a cheese ball.
Lisa Garner
Laurie Emerson says
September 8, 2013 at 10:12 PMI would use it to make my walnut and zucchini bread.
Stacey Baker says
September 8, 2013 at 10:15 PMMac and cheese
Christine says
September 8, 2013 at 10:16 PMwould make enchiladas
jenysa says
September 8, 2013 at 11:04 PMI would make the Strawberry Crumb Bars with Meyer Lemon Glaze recipe I found on the site.
Brittney House says
September 8, 2013 at 11:22 PMI would make homemade mac and cheese.
bbrittbrat1398@yahoo.com
Candice Hull says
September 9, 2013 at 12:26 AMI pack a lunch for my husband and oldest son everyday, and it’s nice to change things up and give them things in different forms. My son loves eating carrots when they are shredded. Thank you
Jennifer Matt says
September 9, 2013 at 3:05 AMSo many things I can make, first would probably be tacos.
dewer421 says
September 9, 2013 at 12:20 PMI’d love to shave chocolate for desserts!
Sherry Conrad says
September 9, 2013 at 12:46 PMCitrus pie (using the zest)
TamraLS says
September 9, 2013 at 12:56 PMSince I grated off part of my thumb & most of my manicure last week with a box grater, I’m definitely ready for something like these!
Janice Crespo says
September 9, 2013 at 2:23 PMI’d probably made a nice lemon pepper chicken – possibly some ziti too – LOL
samf36 says
September 9, 2013 at 3:14 PMI would great cheese that I put on everything!
Lacey Eldersveld says
September 9, 2013 at 6:47 PMI’d be using that sucker for lots and lots of lime and lemon zest…roasted veggie season is coming you know!
Miz Vickik says
September 9, 2013 at 6:59 PMAll kinds of things, starting with cheesy enchiladas!
Tanya White says
September 9, 2013 at 7:22 PMI would start by making zucchini bread.
susansmoaks says
September 9, 2013 at 7:54 PMi would make some tacos and grate the cheese for them
Brooke says
September 9, 2013 at 8:09 PMFirst, I would use them to make some cupcakes that I am delivering to a shower this weekend: lemon raspberry. Then I’d use them to smoosch some garlic for Korean-style shortribs. Finally, I’d use them to make cinnamon and chocolate shavings to flavor some coffee! The uses are endless!!
Richard Hicks says
September 9, 2013 at 8:49 PMwould make a salad and grate the cheese onto it
Mihaela Day says
September 9, 2013 at 10:47 PMI would make a vegetable stir fry 🙂
Sand says
September 9, 2013 at 10:54 PMI would make lasagna.
Sara S says
September 9, 2013 at 11:02 PMLemon Pecan cookies – I could really use the zester!
Vikki Billings says
September 9, 2013 at 11:16 PMI would make cheese and onion enchiladas
Beverly says
September 9, 2013 at 11:21 PMThat dip looks delicious. I would use the grater to grate cheese for my homemade pizzas. Thanks for having this contest.
Joy Q says
September 9, 2013 at 11:54 PMI would make a couple of different things but pizza would be first
My Inner Chick says
December 21, 2014 at 2:13 PMcan’t wait to make this!! thank you
linda says
September 26, 2015 at 12:21 AMgreat idea for when ever
Cristina says
April 14, 2019 at 12:29 PMHas anyone ever made and cooked, then frozen leftovers? I’m looking on recommendations on how to thaw and reheat it. It was extra for the last party so I just froze it in the glass pie plate I made it in. But I have no idea how I should go about reheating for today’s potluck. Suggestions?