Sun-Dried Tomato Spread is a creamy spread or dip that combines cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and a little kick of red pepper flakes. Whether serving it for a gathering like an upcoming New Year’s Eve party or simply enjoying it for a night in, it is sure to be a hit! I like to serve it with bagel chips or crackers. If you are looking for another irresistible option, try my Sun-Dried Tomato Skillet Dip—it’s a warm, creamy dip packed with bold flavors, perfect for dipping!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Cream Cheese: Before mixing the dip, make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: You will need about 8 whole sun-dried tomatoes to soak in warm water, drain, and finely chop. If you’re using sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, you can skip the soaking instructions. The oil-packed tomatoes are already softened and have a richer flavor, so you can chop them directly and add them to the mixture. Just be mindful of the oil content in the spread, as it may make it a bit richer. No matter which sun-dried tomatoes you use, have a few extra on hand for garnish.
- Seasonings: To season the sun-dried tomato spread, I added Italian seasoning, garlic salt, and onion powder.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Red pepper flakes, also called crushed red pepper, add a bit of a kick to each bite of the spread. If you don’t want (or like) a little extra heat, simply leave them out! The spread will still be delicious!
- Olive Oil: Before serving, I like to garnish the spread with extra virgin olive oil to add extra flavor. The olive oil gives it a rich, fruity taste that balances the creamy texture. It also makes the dip look shiny and more inviting! But, if you don’t have olive oil, it is delicious without it, too!
Can I Use Fresh Tomatoes Instead Of Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Fresh tomatoes won’t work the same as sun-dried tomatoes in this recipe. Sun-dried tomatoes have a stronger flavor and a chewy texture. Fresh tomatoes have more water, which could make the spread too runny. If you want to use fresh tomatoes, try adding a few diced ones on top as a garnish for extra flavor.
Top Dippers and Pairings For Sun-Dried Tomato Spread
Sun-dried tomato spread goes well with a variety of dippers! Here are a few of my favorites:
- Bagel Chips
- Pita Chips (or warm pita bread)
- Crackers (I like Ritz crackers the best.)
- Garlic Bagel Chips (made in the air fryer)
- Fresh Vegetables (I plan to add the spread to my Vegetable Tray.)
- Toasted Baguette (Crostini)
How To Store Sun-Dried Tomato Spread
To store sun-dried tomato spread, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4-5 days. Let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving to soften. I do not recommend freezing this spread.
Sun-Dried Tomato Spread
Ingredients
- 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (about 8 whole) sun-dried tomatoes, soaked in water, drained, and finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- sun-dried tomatoes, for garnish
- extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- bagel chips and crackers, for serving
Instructions
- To a medium bowl, add the cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic salt, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Mix until combined.
- Transfer the mixture to a serving dish or spread it onto a platter. Garnish with extra sun-dried tomatoes and drizzle with olive oil.
- Serve with bagel chips or crackers.
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
This recipe is inspired by @cookwelleatwell on TikTok.
What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
This sun-dried tomato spread is so creamy and full of flavor! I loved it with crackers the best.
Elizabeth
Wow, I loved this spread (or dip), whatever you call it! I got plenty of sun-dried tomato flavor in each bite. Yum!
Annabelle
This is really easy to make, and I liked how all of the flavors came together so well.
Bella
This spread is creamy, a little tangy, and has just a hint of spice. Perfect with crunchy crackers!
Selena
This looks fancy, but it's so easy to make. I loved it!
Full of flavor and makes good use of ingredients that need to be used up!
I used to buy a sundried tomato spread that had feta cheese in it. Can you work on a recipe like that? I will try this one hoping it is comparable. Thanks.
That sounds like an amazing addition! I haven’t tried it, but definitely will. I am sure it would be great in this!