Lasagna Dip is pure cheesy, comforting goodness. This recipe takes everything good about lasagna and turns it into an easy dip recipe.
My favorite way to eat lasagna is to use a garlic knot or some garlic bread to scoop up all of the sauce. The combination of the bread, the sauce, and the cheese are all so perfect together!
This Lasagna Dip gets rid of the noodles in a classic lasagna recipe and leaves you with all of that melty cheesy goodness of the marinara sauce and cheese filling.
It's a warm, comforting appetizer that's perfect any time (like when you're watching a certain big game). So, if you like lasagna, you'll love this dip!
Ingredients and substitutions
- Italian sausage - Mild or hot Italian sausage will work. Chicken or turkey Italian sausage will also work.
You could substitute an equal amount of ground beef, but the dip won't be quite as flavorful. - Onion - I like to use sweet yellow onion.
- Garlic
- Crushed tomatoes
- Dry basil - Or use an equal amount of Italian seasoning.
- Ricotta cheese - Part-skim ricotta or whole-milk ricotta will work. I don't recommend fat-free ricotta cheese in this recipe.
- Large egg
- Parmesan cheese
- Mozzarella cheese - An equal amount of an Italian cheese blend will also work.
How to make lasagna dip
Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a shallow baking dish; set aside.
In a skillet, brown sausage over medium heat. Try to break the pieces up; you don't want any giant pieces of sausage in the dip.
>>Top tip: Depending on how nonstick your pan is, you may find that you need to add a tablespoon of oil to the pan before adding the sausage to prevent sticking.
Drain, and return to pan.
Add onion and garlic; sauté for 30 seconds, stirring the entire time.
Add tomatoes, basil, and salt to taste. Let simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
While the sauce simmers, stir together ricotta, egg, and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.
Spread cheese mixture into the bottom of prepared baking dish.
Add the tomato sauce on top of the ricotta cheese mixture.
Then sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and Italian cheese. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
Serve sprinkled with fresh basil on top of the dip, if desired.
Serving suggestions
The dip is great served with garlic knots or garlic breadsticks for dipping. You can also use toasted baguette slices, pasta chips, or regular breadsticks as dippers.
Storage
Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. The dip will keep for up to 4 days when properly stored.
More dip recipes!
- Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Loaded Sour Cream Dip
- Cinnamon Roll Dip with Cinnamon Sugar Naan Chips
- Cannoli Dip Recipe
- Pimento Cheese Dip
If you’ve tried this lasagna dip recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who've made my recipes!
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Lasagna Dip
Ingredients
- ½ pound Italian sausage
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 15 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- ½ tablespoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese divided
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a shallow baking dish; set aside.
- In a skillet, brown sausage. Try to break the pieces up; you don't want any giant pieces of sausage in the dip.
- Drain, and return to pan.
- Add onion and garlic; sauté for 30 seconds, stirring the entire time.
- Add tomatoes, basil, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Let simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- While the sauce simmers, stir together ricotta, egg, and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.
- Spread cheese mixture into the bottom of prepared baking dish.
- Top with tomato sauce, and then sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and Italian cheese.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
- This dip is especially good when served with garlic knots
Notes
- Italian sausage - Mild or hot Italian sausage will work. Chicken or turkey Italian sausage will also work.
- Onion - I like to use sweet yellow onion.
- Dry basil - Or use an equal amount of Italian seasoning.
- Ricotta cheese - Part-skim ricotta or whole-milk ricotta will work. I don't recommend fat-free ricotta cheese in this recipe.
- Mozzarella cheese - An equal amount of an Italian cheese blend will also work.
- Nutrition values are estimates.
Nutrition
Originally published 1/15/14. Updated with new photos, tips, and information on 1/11/22.
Gen
This dip is SO good!!!
Jay Mumford
Can you make this in a crock pot/slow cooker? If so how does the recipe differ? I want to take it to football tailgates and we have a huge amount of people popping by at the games.
Kate
I've wondered about that, but I haven't tried it. I would guess that it would work, but I'm not sure exactly which setting would be best (i.e. warm vs low) or about times.
Maurice
Hey Kate These Lasagna Dip Looks Really Delicious. This recipe has really got my mouth watering :P Ill Definitely Give this Recipe a Try on this Weekend :) P.S. Pinned it to My Pinterest ;)
Kate
Thank you, Maurice! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! Thanks for pinning! =)
Susan
Hi, this really sounds good but I do not like ricotta cheese , could I use something else in it place. Thank you
for your help....Susan
Kate
Thanks! I'm not sure if they'd work exactly the same, but mascarpone and cottage cheese would be my suggestions. Good luck!
wanderingeducators
Oh my, THIS is why I love pinterest so. THANK YOU! will make!
Kate
I hope you enjoy it!! =)
Carrie @ Kenarry: Ideas for the Home
I was surfing Google+ when I spotted the picture of your delicious looking lasagna dip on the round up of Super Bowl recipes that The NY Melrose Family just posted. The timing was perfect as I was just thinking about what I'd make for the friends who are coming over next weekend for the big game. Thanks!
Kate
I'm so glad you saw the dip and decided to come by to check it out! I hope you and your friends enjoy it if you decide to make it. =)
Gloria // Simply Gloria
I'm such a dip girl! I'm so happy you shared this with all of us at the SSS party, Kate! Pinning and sharing (=
Kate
Me too! I love dips and appetizers. Thanks so much, Gloria!! =)
Robin @ Simply Southern Baking
Oh my goodness! This looks sooo amazing! I'm pretty sure it would not last long around here. :)
Kate
Thanks so much!! =)
Trish - Mom On Timeout
Genius. Just genius. Pinning!
Kate
Thanks!! And thanks for pinning! =)
Happy Valley Chow
Oh man that sounds awesome! Bookmarked and trying :)
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Kate
Thanks! I hope you enjoy it! =)
Jen @ It's a Food Fetish
This is such a perfect little appetizer for a dinner party!
Kate
Thanks!! =)