Serve this zucchini dip warm over crackers, or fresh French bread. So good! @natashaskitchen

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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

Hot Zucchini Dip

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.

Zucchini Dip

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.

Zucchini Dip-4

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.

Hot Zucchini Dip-3

Zucchini Dip-2

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.

Zucchini Dip-3

This re-heats beautifully, just stir in a drizzle of water and heat it up on the stove-top.

Serve this zucchini dip warm over crackers, or fresh French bread. So good! @natashaskitchen

Zucchini Dip Recipe

4.96 from 22 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
What a great way to take advantage of all the great tasting summer zucchini! 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, Lilly, shared her family's zucchini dip with us and it was love at first dip.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 8 -10 as an appetizer
  • 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.
Course: Appetizer, Dip
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Zucchini Dip
Skill Level: Easy/Medium
Cost to Make: $$
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

.Final Final Picmonkey Hashtag bannerServe this zucchini dip warm over crackers, or fresh French bread. So good! @natashaskitchen

4.96 from 22 votes (10 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Julie
    July 6, 2023

    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.

    Reply

    • Julie
      July 6, 2023

      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.

      Reply

      • Natashas Kitchen
        July 6, 2023

        Thank you so much for sharing that with us, Julie!

        Reply

  • Scill
    October 28, 2022

    Does this freeze well, if I wanted to make it in advance?

    Recipe looks great, I can’t wait to try. Thank you

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      October 28, 2022

      Thank you! I honestly haven’t tried freezing to advise, I always make this on the same day.

      Reply

  • Deanna
    September 5, 2019

    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

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 5, 2019

      That’s so awesome, Deanna! Sounds like you found a new favorite!

      Reply

  • MR
    August 7, 2019

    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?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 7, 2019

      We love it warmed but I’m sure it will be just as good chilled.

      Reply

      • MR
        August 11, 2019

        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.

        Reply

        • Natashas Kitchen
          August 12, 2019

          Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

          Reply

  • Michael Gallagher
    July 18, 2017

    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

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      July 18, 2017

      That sounds delicious Michael! I’m glad you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing your suggestions and review with other readers!

      Reply

  • Karina
    August 31, 2015

    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

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      August 31, 2015

      Thank you for your awesome feedback! We’re hoping to start doing more videos now that our son is back in school 🙂

      Reply

  • Amy
    August 25, 2015

    You recipe looks so delicious!! Just thought you’d like to know I used it in a zucchini round up posted today!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      August 25, 2015

      Thank you very much for sharing Amy, always appreciate it :).

      Reply

  • Luda
    August 21, 2015

    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!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      August 21, 2015

      I love the idea of putting it on a bagel! That sounds really good!

      Reply

  • Mary
    June 19, 2015

    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!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      June 19, 2015

      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 🙂

      Reply

  • Di
    September 4, 2014

    Just made it and its really good 🙂 i added a hot pepper for a kick and a couple tablespoons of sour cream.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      September 4, 2014

      Sounds like a great idea to me! 😉

      Reply

  • Natalie D
    August 28, 2014

    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?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      August 28, 2014

      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.

      Reply

  • Rachel
    August 15, 2014

    This dip was fantastic! Excited to try more of your recipes.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      August 15, 2014

      Thank you for a great review Rachel, enjoy :).

      Reply

  • Julia @Vikalinka
    August 9, 2014

    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. 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      August 9, 2014

      Good things are meant to be shared. A friend shared it with us 🙂

      Reply

  • Katy B.
    August 8, 2014

    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! 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      August 9, 2014

      That does sound good in a buffalo chicken dip. Let me know how that works out. I’m soo curious!

      Reply

  • Oksana
    August 7, 2014

    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

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      August 7, 2014

      My sister added cheese also and said she liked it even better 🙂

      Reply

  • Valya of valyastasteofhome.com says
    August 6, 2014

    Wow! Amazing, what you can make out of simple zucchinis! Thank you Natasha for this recipe! 😉

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      August 6, 2014

      You’re welcome 🙂 I know it! I was excited about this recipe because I love zucchini and finding creative uses for it.

      Reply

  • Darlene @ Dip Recipe Creations
    August 5, 2014

    Love all the veggies in this dip! Pinned!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      August 5, 2014

      Thank you so much for pinning! I sure appreciate it 🙂

      Reply

  • Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking
    August 5, 2014

    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

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      August 5, 2014

      It’s more like my Moms incredible free thumb, well both of my parents actually ;-). Thanks so much for pinning!

      Reply

  • Jim
    August 5, 2014

    So simple … I have a large gathering coming up … This looks like a starter

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      August 5, 2014

      I hope you love it! This does take care of a good amount of zucchini at once! 😉

      Reply

  • Natalie
    August 5, 2014

    I’ve never tried zucchini dip before but I love the idea!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      August 5, 2014

      I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how tasty it is and it’s healthier than most dips 😉

      Reply

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