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Lasagna Dip with Cheesy Ricotta and Italian Sausage Recipe

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3.9 from 11 reviews

Lasagna Dip is a warm, cheesy, and savory appetizer inspired by classic Italian lasagna flavors. It features a rich tomato and Italian sausage sauce layered with a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, baked to golden bubbly perfection and served with crispy garlic-infused baguette slices for dipping. This crowd-pleaser combines indulgent, hearty ingredients perfect for sharing at parties or cozy gatherings.

Ingredients

Baguette Dippers

  • 1 12-ounce baguette, sliced ½” thick on the diagonal
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 large cloves garlic, sliced in half
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Cheesy Yum Mixture

  • ⅔ cup full-fat ricotta cheese
  • ⅔ cup whole milk shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (the kind in the shaker can)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Lasagna Dip Sauce

  • 1 pound bulk ground Italian sausage
  • ½ cup diced yellow onion
  • 6 large cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) plain crushed tomatoes (without added salt, sugar, or seasonings)
  • 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Toppings

  • 1½ cups whole milk shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese (the kind in the shaker can)
  • 3 large basil leaves, thinly sliced (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Baguette Dippers: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Arrange baguette slices in a single even layer on a large rimmed baking sheet. Lightly brush olive oil over the top of each slice and bake for 3-5 minutes until they turn lightly golden without flipping.
  2. Infuse Garlic Flavor into Bread: Remove the toasted baguette slices from the oven while still hot. Rub the top sides with the cut halves of garlic cloves so that the residual heat melts the garlic flavor into the bread. Sprinkle the slices lightly with kosher salt and set aside for serving.
  3. Mix Cheesy Yum: In a small bowl, combine ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and garlic powder. Stir until smooth and set this cheesy mixture aside.
  4. Cook Sausage and Onions: Heat a 10-inch cast iron or other oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add ground Italian sausage and diced onion, breaking the sausage into very small pieces as it cooks. Cook until sausage is fully browned and cooked through. Drain excess grease.
  5. Add Garlic and Tomatoes: Stir the minced garlic into the cooked sausage and onion mixture and cook for 2 more minutes, stirring occasionally. Then pour in both cans of plain crushed tomatoes (do not drain), add dried Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
  6. Simmer Sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust salt and pepper according to preference.
  7. Add Cheesy Yum Dollops: Spoon the cheesy mixture evenly over the top of the tomato and sausage sauce in 8 dollops. Using the back of a spoon, gently press each dollop slightly into the sauce to partially submerge it.
  8. Top with Mozzarella: Sprinkle 1½ cups of shredded mozzarella evenly over the entire top of the skillet.
  9. Bake the Dip: Place the skillet into the preheated 400°F oven and bake for 10 minutes. Then switch to the broiler setting and broil just until the cheese is beginning to brown and bubble.
  10. Finish with Parmesan: Remove the skillet and sprinkle the top with 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese. Return briefly to the broiler just long enough to lightly brown the Parmesan without burning it.
  11. Rest and Garnish: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the dip rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle thinly sliced fresh basil leaves over the top if using. Serve hot alongside the prepared garlic baguette dippers for dipping.

Notes

  • Use a cast iron or oven-safe skillet to go from stovetop to oven easily.
  • For a spicier dip, opt for spicy Italian sausage.
  • You can prepare the dip assembly ahead of time and refrigerate before baking.
  • Serve with additional fresh basil or grated Parmesan if desired.
  • Leftovers can be stored airtight in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.

Find it online: https://marthatasty.com/lasagna-dip-with-cheesy-ricotta-and-italian-sausage-recipe/