Carron Harris
Senior Director, Culinary
Papa Murphy’s Pizza
Italian Sausage Pesto Party Dip
Recipe courtesy of Carron Harris
Sponsor: Tyson Foodservice
Servings: 8
Ingredients
Italian Sausage Dip:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ c cream
- 2 oz basil pesto
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 6 oz Tyson® Italian Sausage Crumbles
Bruschetta Topping:
- ½ c diced heirloom tomatoes
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh basil
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Toasted baguette slices for serving
Directions
Italian Sausage Dip:
- In a stand mixer, beat together the cream cheese, cream, pesto, salt and pepper until well mixed, about 2 minutes on medium speed.
- On the lowest speed, gently add in the Italian sausage crumbles so they mix in, but do not break up.
Bruschetta Topping:
- In a bowl, mix together all the ingredients for the bruschetta topping. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the Italian Sausage Dip in an ovenproof serving container such as a cast-iron skillet or ceramic baking dish. Bake for 10–12 minutes to allow everything to heat up, but do not overbake or the pesto will break.
- To serve, sprinkle the bruschetta topping over the warm dip and serve with toasted baguette slices or crackers.
Chef Notes
Since I’m in the pizza industry, using the Tyson® Italian Sausage crumbles on a pizza seemed obvious. But the mission was to transform the ordinary ingredient into something else. During football season people are always looking for new ways to have a party dip. The sausage adds some heartiness and texture to something that is generally soft. The pesto adds a punch of flavor and the bruschetta brings not only color, but some garlic and sweet tomato flavor—the perfect complements to the dip. It’s hearty, flavorful and fun!
Project Management: Summit F&B
Photography: Carlos Garcia // Food Styling: Peg Blackley
