While glazed ham and festive casseroles may be the stars of your holiday dinner spread, appetizers and snacks for grazing may be just as important. If you’re looking for something to prepare for your guests, you can’t go wrong with a dip—and Giada De Laurentiis just shared an easy recipe that she’s been making over and over again.
De Laurentiis and the Giadzy team have been whipping up a delicious Caprese Ricotta Dip for “just about every get-together in the last two months,” and a recent Instagram reel proves why you should make it, too. It requires no cooking and promises a satisfying bite. Here’s how to recreate the magic.
In a large mixing bowl, De Laurentiis adds a 16-ounce tub of ricotta cheese with about 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt—she uses spicy seasoned salt here, but any salt and seasonings to match your preference will work here. She whisks the ingredients by hand until it’s a smooth, fluffy consistency. Then in a food processor, the cook dumps in a can of whole peeled corbara tomatoes with the juices, and she seasons with flaky salt before pulsing.
For plating, De Laurentiis dollops the whipped ricotta in a bowl and tops it with her blended tomatoes. With a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and a garnish of fresh basil leaves (you can keep the leaves whole or chop them loosely), the dip is ready to serve. That’s really all it takes: three ingredients alongside salt and oil, 15 minutes and absolutely no turning on the oven or stove.
Plus, ricotta is a great source of protein with half a cup boasting over 9 grams of protein. This makes this dip a simple yet satiating appetizer for pleasing your guests until the main meal. Pair this Italian-inspired dip with pita chips or crostini for added crunch. For some more fiber, bell peppers are another great option to dunk into this dip.
Want to include more easy dips to the appetizer menu? Our Easy Scallion-Salmon Dip and Easy Black Bean Dip are highly rated, take 10 minutes and are simple to prepare ahead of time.
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