Quick Roasted Pepper Dip

This super easy roasted pepper dip is a fast, flavorful, and versatile appetizer that’s perfect for parties or last-minute gatherings. Made by simply blending all the ingredients in a food processor, this dip can be customized with add-ins like artichoke hearts, oregano, or different cheeses. You are in for a quick-to-prepare, crowd-pleasing dish that also works well as a sandwich spread or sauce for meats or pasta.

The Ingredients for the Roasted Pepper Dip

• Roasted Peppers Whether you roast them yourself or grab a jar, these provide the base flavor—smoky, sweet, and vibrant.
• Mascarpone Cheese This Italian cream cheese is less tangy than American cream cheese, giving the dip a luxurious, velvety texture that lets the pepper flavor shine.
• Fresh Basil This adds a pop of color and a fresh, herbaceous note that cuts through the richness of the cheese.
• Garlic A small amount of fresh garlic adds a necessary punch and savory depth.
• Parmesan Cheese The saltiness of the parmesan balances the sweetness of the peppers.

Why This Recipe Works

• Moisture Control Draining the jarred peppers is a crucial step. It keeps the dip from becoming watery or separating, which ensures a spreadable consistency that stays on your cracker .
• The "Dump and Blend" Method By adding all ingredients to the food processor at once, you ensure the garlic and basil are evenly distributed . This prevents anyone from biting into a large chunk of raw garlic.
• Whipped Texture Using a food processor does more than just mix the ingredients. It whips air into the mascarpone cheese, creating a lighter and fluffier mouthfeel compared to hand-mixing .
• Adaptable Consistency Because the base is thick, this recipe holds up well when heated gently for pasta or kept cool for dipping. It is more reliable than thinner, sour cream-based dips .

How to Make the Easy Red Bell Pepper Dip

• 1. Prepare the Peppers If using jarred peppers, drain them well in a colander. Excess liquid can make the dip runny. If roasting your own, ensure they are skinned and seeded.
• 2. Combine Ingredients Place the roasted peppers, mascarpone (or cream cheese), diced garlic, fresh basil, grated parmesan, salt, and pepper into the bowl of a food processor.
• 3. Blend Pulse the mixture a few times to break up the large chunks. Then, blend continuously for 1–2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and creamy. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl once.
• 4. Taste and Serve Give the dip a quick taste. Add more salt or pepper if needed. Transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy immediately, or refrigerate to let the flavors develop.

Variations of the roasted pepper dip recipe

• Jarred Peppers You can use a drained 16-ounce jar of roasted bell peppers instead of roasting your own to save time.
• Cheese Substitutes If mascarpone cheese is hard to find, cream cheese works just as well to provide a rich texture.
• Main Dish Sauce This recipe is not just for dipping. You can serve it over chicken, pork, or pasta to create a full meal.
• Sandwich Spread Try using this roasted pepper dip as a flavorful spread on sandwiches or wraps.
• Flavor Add-ins Customize the flavor by blending in extras like artichoke hearts or dried oregano.

FAQ's:

You can make the easy buns recipe to have with the roasted red pepper dip!

Other appetizer recipes to try are my spanakopita dip or my lemon and blueberry ricotta dip!

Please visit my appetizer page for more ideas to pair with the roasted pepper dip!

Recipe