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Veggie-loaded pizza dip

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A super cheesy veggie-packed pizza dip, perfect for game day or party nights! And my secret way to add veggies to sauce!
Cheesy veggie-packed pizza dip - great game day or party appetizer-- Sure to be a hit with everyone! | FamilyFoodontheTable.com

I have heard that more pizzas are ordered for the Big Game than any other day of the year. This confuses me. I mean, pizza, of course. But chili is so traditional for me for game day. How can you not have chili?!

So for those of you thinking, how can you not have pizza? Or those of you feeling so torn, I have your answer – eat both! Serve pizza dip as an appetizer and make chili for dinner. Everyone wins!

And hopefully so does the team you’re rooting for. Unless it’s not the team I’m rooting for. Cause my N.C. team is going to the Superbowl and you better be cheering for them!

Cheesy veggie-packed pizza dip - great party appetizer everyone will love! | FamilyFoodontheTable.com

This dip is one that you can prep ahead and just pop in the oven when you’re ready, so you’re not stuck in the kitchen while all the fun is happening in the other room. The host should always enjoy the party, too!

Plus, this pizza dip is so easy. I always have canned tomatoes on hand in my pantry because they are great to use in SO many recipes. And did you know that they actually have more of the antioxidant lycopene than fresh tomatoes? Double win!

To get this ready for our football party, I just swung by Walmart on my way to pick up the kiddos from preschool (aka, my lunch break from my day job when I try to squeeze in as much as I can possibly do. Needless to say, I usually show up to their school with wet hair.)

Shopping for ingredients

I got my Hunt’s Tomatoes, and a few extras, my fresh vegetables and even snagged some bread from the bakery to serve this with. Too easy. Especially sans kids 😉

Veggie loaded pizza dip - super easy to make (and can be prepped ahead) | FamilyFoodontheTable.com

And do you want to know the triple win in this recipe? It’s my secret way to add nutrition without changing flavor. I do it ALL the time with tomato sauce for pizza, spaghetti and other Italian dishes.

EASY TIP ALERT: You add a couple handfuls of fresh spinach leaves to part of the sauce or tomatoes and blend it up. You can’t taste the spinach but you get all the benefits of the extra veggies.

My kids don’t even know regular sauce because I’ve always made it this way for them. #momwin

Cheesy veggie-packed pizza dip - easy appetizer with spinach blended right into the sauce! | FamilyFoodontheTable.com

(And for the record, I don’t lie about it or try to be sneaky – they help me and know there is spinach, or sometimes other veggies, added to their sauce. That way, they know they like vegetables!)

As for serving, I like to sprinkle this pizza dip with some fresh chopped basil and offer up baguette slices (you can make them as thin and crispy or thick and bready as you like your pizza.)

And I usually serve this pizza dip with mini sweet peppers as well (how cute are they?!) for friends who are gluten free or low carb.

Veggie loaded pizza dip - super easy to make (and can be prepped ahead) | FamilyFoodontheTable.com

Everyone can dig into this pizza dip and it’s sure to be a hit at your Big Game party! And it was totally stress-free to make. That’s worthy of a victory dance.

(As is the major cheese factor of this pizza dip!)

This veggie-loaded pizza dip is so super cheesy! | FamilyFoodontheTable.com

This veggie-loaded pizza dip is so super cheesy! | FamilyFoodontheTable.comStock up on some of these pizza ingredients, get it loaded up with veggies and cheese so you’re all prepped and ready to go. Then kick back, enjoy your party and enjoy the game!

And best of luck to your MY team 🙂

**I’d love to hear from you: What’s your favorite tradition for the Big Game? What will you be cooking this year?

And if you need some more ideas, check out the #YesYouCAN website for recipes.

Yield: 6-8 servings

Veggie-loaded pizza dip

Cheesy veggie-packed pizza dip - great party appetizer everyone will love! | FamilyFoodontheTable.com

A super cheesy veggie-packed pizza dip, perfect for game day or party nights!

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 (14.5 oz.) cans diced Hunt’s Tomatoes - I like to use one regular diced and one fire-roasted diced but you could do two of either variety
  • 2 handfuls of spinach leaves
  • 1 red or green bell pepper, chopped small
  • 1 cup mushrooms, chopped small (I use white button mushrooms)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • For serving: fresh chopped basil, cut mini sweet bell peppers, baguette slices (toasted, if desired)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375.
  2. Drain both cans of tomatoes very well. Place one can in a blender or immersion blender cup. Add spinach and blend until well mixed.
  3. Add the tomato-spinach mixture to a large bowl with remaining can of tomatoes and remaining ingredients, using 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
  4. Mix until well combined and pour the veggie mixture into a greased 2-quart baking dish. Top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese.
  5. Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes, until the dip is bubbly and the cheese is melted.
  6. Sprinkle with chopped fresh basil and serve with baguette slices (toasted, if desired) and mini sweet bell peppers.

Notes

You can prep this ahead and put it in the fridge. When you’re ready to cook it, pull the dish out of the fridge and let it sit on the counter while you pre-heat the oven. When the oven is heated, pop it in: it should still take just about 20-25 minutes to get hot and bubbly.

You can add some mini pepperoni slices (1/2 cup) or diced cooked chicken (1 cup) to make this more of a meal. Serve over baguette slices or toasted bakery bread - makes a great dinner!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 256Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 633mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 3gSugar: 6gProtein: 14g
© Kathryn Doherty
Cuisine: Italian / Category: Appetizers & Snacks

Cheesy veggie-packed pizza dip - great appetizer for football watching or party night -- Sure to be a hit with everyone! | FamilyFoodontheTable.com

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Comments

    • Kathryn says

      Ha, thanks Allie! All you see is CHEESE, right? But oh, the goodness that awaits underneath is just as lovely 🙂 Hope you and the boys love this dip!

      Reply

  6. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    Pizza in dip form is all sorts of YES for the big game! And chili. 😉 Love that you snuck veggies in here and I LOVE love love that this is super easy to whip together! I know I want to actually watch the game (and hopefully NC win), and not be stuck slaving in the kitchen! Pizza dip for the win! Genius, my dear! Cheers! <3

    Reply

    • Kathryn says

      Thanks Cheyanne! It really is great for getting to enjoy yourself, too (which I’m ALL about, especially for this year!) And of course I snuck some veggies in – can’t help myself 😉

      Reply

    • Kathryn says

      Ha, that’s funny you know first-hand the craziness of the pizza madness 🙂 This version at least frees you up to party and watch the game! Bread coming your way! 😉

      Reply

  10. Willow | Will Cook For Friends says

    This sounds PERFECT for game day! Or any party, for that matter. I am all for anything that can be prepped in advance and then thrown in the oven when needed, and the fact that it’s packed with veggies is even better. I always add tons of veggies to tomato sauce, but have never tried blending up some spinach into it… that is such a good idea!

    Reply

    • Kathryn says

      Thanks Willow! This does go well with football watching 😉 And the spinach-sauce blend is a trick I use all the time for spaghetti, pizza sauce, marinara – so easy!

      Reply

  13. [email protected] says

    I love this dip but I don’t love your Panthers or Cam (sorry…not really). My Pats lost so I’m in mourning right now. I’m not even going to watch the Super Bowl; however, I will party that day and eat dip, so there’s that!

    Reply

    • Kathryn says

      Well… there’s that. I forgive you, Karrie. But you should see the error of your ways and cheer us on. Or at least eat lots of dip and give a grudging nod in our direction. 😉

      Reply

  16. Adina says

    I’ve never had such a dip although I’ve seen lots of recipes on American blogs, they seem to be something very American. I would love to try one soon, I think my children would love it as well. It would be also a great dish to impress friends with, nobody around here has had anything like it before, I am sure.

    Reply

    • Kathryn says

      Hi Jeannine, I’m not sure that would work. It might end up a bit too watery since all the condensation is retained in a slow cooker. But you can prep it ahead and then bake it when you’re ready if that helps!

      Reply

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