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This zucchini dip is a delicious way to take advantage of all the great tasting summer zucchini! We brought this zucchini dip to my sister-in-laws for dinner and it was a hit! Lots of compliments, oohs and ahhs :).
The list of ingredients is simple, but this dip has so many layers of flavor and a wonderful texture. It’s a keeper! One of the gals in my church, Lily, shared her family’s zucchini dip with us and it was love at first dip. Thank you Lily for sharing this recipe with us!
Ingredients:
4 or 5 small/medium zucchini/squash (about 2 1/2 lbs)
2 med/large tomatoes (1 lb)
1 hand-full fresh basil (about 2 Tbsp chopped)
16 oz cream cheese (= two 8 oz packages)
2 cloves of garlic or 1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp sea salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
Crackers, chips, or fresh French bread to serve
How to make hot Zucchini Dip:
1. Pulse tomatoes in a food processor several times or until coarsely chopped. You can also finely dice tomatoes by hand if you don’t have a food processor.
2. Heat a large heavy bottomed pan over medium heat. Add finely chopped tomatoes, 2 pressed garlic cloves and 2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil. Simmer covered for 10 min, stirring occasionally and pressing on any larger tomato pieces to soften them. The mixture should look like a tomato sauce when done.
3. Cut off and discard ends of zucchini and shred zucchini on the large holes of a grater. I used the grater attachment on my food processor and it sure was quick! Add grated zucchini to the cooked tomatoes and stir to combine.
4. Increase heat to medium/high, cover with lid and cook for 20-23 minutes, stirring occasionally or until zucchini are fully softened.
5. Add 16 oz cream cheese pieces and stir until fully melted into the zucchini mixture. It will be creamy. If your dip seems too thick, you can thin it out a little with hot water. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste and serve hot or warm.
This re-heats beautifully, just stir in a drizzle of water and heat it up on the stove-top.
Zucchini Dip Recipe

Ingredients
- 4 or 5 small/medium zucchini/squash, about 2 1/2 lbs
- 2 med/large tomatoes, 1 lb
- 1 hand-full fresh basil, about 2 Tbsp chopped
- 16 oz cream cheese, = two 8 oz packages
- 2 cloves of garlic or 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt, or to taste
- 1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
- Crackers, chips, or fresh French bread to serve
Instructions
- Pulse tomatoes in a food processor several times or until coarsely chopped. You can also finely dice tomatoes by hand if you don't have a food processor.
- Heat a large heavy bottomed pan over medium heat. Add finely chopped tomatoes, 2 pressed garlic cloves and 2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil. Simmer covered for 10 min, stirring occasionally and pressing on any larger tomato pieces to soften them. The mixture should look like a tomato sauce when done.
- Cut off and discard ends of zucchini and shred zucchini on the large holes of a grater. I used the grater attachment on my food processor and it sure was quick! Add grated zucchini to the cooked tomatoes and stir to combine.
- Increase heat to medium/high, cover with lid and cook for 20-23 minutes, stirring occasionally or until zucchini are fully softened.
- Add 16 oz cream cheese pieces and stir until fully melted into the zucchini mixture. It will be creamy. If your dip seems too thick, you can thin it out a little with hot water. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste and serve hot or warm. This re-heats beautifully, just stir in a drizzle of water and heat it up on the stove-top.
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I just made this (still warm) and, while it’s good, I’m finding it just a little bit bland. I’m going to refrigerate it and warm it up this evening and see if the flavors have melded and maybe add some of the other suggestions (thanks, all). It IS awesome how much zucchini it used.
I added the 1/2 C Parmesan cheese that a reviewer suggested, some Italian seasoning, and a little more black pepper. It’s good chilled! Also, it made close to 8 cups – will feed well more than 8-10 as an appetizer.
Thank you so much for sharing that with us, Julie!
Does this freeze well, if I wanted to make it in advance?
Recipe looks great, I can’t wait to try. Thank you
Thank you! I honestly haven’t tried freezing to advise, I always make this on the same day.
BEST USE OF ZUCCHINI EVER! I made this for our football draft and it was a hit. I think I ate close to half of it!! It used a lot of zucchini too which I need to do!! Haha
That’s so awesome, Deanna! Sounds like you found a new favorite!
I’m planning to make it for this weekend but won’t have the option to heat. I have zucchini, tomato and basil ready for picking in my garden. Any reason I can’t serve it cold?
We love it warmed but I’m sure it will be just as good chilled.
I wouldn’t hesitate to eat it chilled all the time. It was delicious, no trouble distinguishing the individual flavors. Living in PA our garden tomatoes add a hint of sweetness.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Really nice recipe….I changed it a little. Added maybe 2 T of tomato paste,some dried Greek Oregano ( from last years garden ) and 1/2 cream cheese 1/2 goats cheese. Yum Yum
That sounds delicious Michael! I’m glad you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing your suggestions and review with other readers!
Hi Natasha I have posted a few comments in the past but I just wanted to say that i am lucky to have someone online who posts these recipes because i belrussian, and ukrainian recipes and that zucchini dip is amazing and thank you for your time and effort and i know that you are busy with your baby but can you post a few more videos for recipes that bye
Thank you for your awesome feedback! We’re hoping to start doing more videos now that our son is back in school 🙂
You recipe looks so delicious!! Just thought you’d like to know I used it in a zucchini round up posted today!
Thank you very much for sharing Amy, always appreciate it :).
I made the dip the other day. It’s very yummy. the only thing i didn’t like is that i could taste cream cheese in the dip, a little overpowering. I tried the dip on a bagel for breakfast – the best cream cheese bagel spread i’ve ever had!
I love the idea of putting it on a bagel! That sounds really good!
Made this today with my extra garden zucchinis. It’s delicious! I added some paprika and cayenne to some of it for spice. So yummy!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. My Mom’s zucchini are almost ripe! I’m looking forward to all the zucchini stuff I will be making 🙂
Just made it and its really good 🙂 i added a hot pepper for a kick and a couple tablespoons of sour cream.
Sounds like a great idea to me! 😉
Thank you so much for the recipe. It tastes amazing!! Also, is it possible to can this dip to store outside the fridge and open later on in the fall/winter?
I have never tried it can this recipe so I can’t really advise on whether or not it’s a good idea. I’m not sure how it would store because of the cream cheese.
This dip was fantastic! Excited to try more of your recipes.
Thank you for a great review Rachel, enjoy :).
This looks seriously delicious and NEW! I love it. It’s really difficult to find dips that are not another rendition of something everyone knows but this one looks different. I can’t wait to try it. Thank you for sharing and not keeping it to yourself. 🙂
Good things are meant to be shared. A friend shared it with us 🙂
I just made this dip today. It tastes much better after I let it cool down and thicken. I ate it with pretzel chips and it is awesome. I am thinking of making a buffalo chicken dip except with zucchini instead of chicken. Never thought I would say this, but zucchini is an awesome base for a dip.
Thanks! 🙂
That does sound good in a buffalo chicken dip. Let me know how that works out. I’m soo curious!
I made this recipe today and it turned out very delicious! I did add 1/2cup of grated parmesan cheese at the end. Thanks for a great recipe
My sister added cheese also and said she liked it even better 🙂
Wow! Amazing, what you can make out of simple zucchinis! Thank you Natasha for this recipe! 😉
You’re welcome 🙂 I know it! I was excited about this recipe because I love zucchini and finding creative uses for it.
Love all the veggies in this dip! Pinned!
Thank you so much for pinning! I sure appreciate it 🙂
Yum!!! I don’t know how you make dip made out of zucchini sound so delicious! I am actually lamenting the fact that I have zero squash in my fridge. It’s like you have a superpower or something. Pinned
It’s more like my Moms incredible free thumb, well both of my parents actually ;-). Thanks so much for pinning!
So simple … I have a large gathering coming up … This looks like a starter
I hope you love it! This does take care of a good amount of zucchini at once! 😉
I’ve never tried zucchini dip before but I love the idea!
I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how tasty it is and it’s healthier than most dips 😉