Lasagna Dip is a warm dip made with Italian sausage, creamy ricotta, parmesan, and marinara sauce, layered with mozzarella cheese. Then, it is baked in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. It’s like a pan of lasagna in a dippable form! So, grab crostini, breadsticks, or crackers and get dippin’! If you love the flavors of this dip, you won’t want to miss my Lasagna Soup! It’s another delicious variation of the classic dish!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Italian Sausage: I used mild Italian sausage in this recipe, but I think spicy sausage would be delicious, too, depending on your preference. You could substitute ground pork sausage, ground turkey, ground chicken, or even bratwurst. Substitutions may change the flavor profile of the dip, so you may have to adjust seasonings as needed.
- Marinara Sauce: If you don’t want to use store-bought sauce, I have a delicious marinara recipe! Or, get really ‘cheesy’ and use my five-cheese marinara instead!
- Ricotta Cheese: If you are not a fan of ricotta cheese (some people just don’t have the taste for it), there are substitutions. You could use cottage cheese, fresh goat cheese, or queso fresco.
- Mozzarella Cheese: If you are motivated, I have a recipe for homemade mozzarella you may want to try. Or, for the next best thing, shred a fresh block of mozzarella. Some of the shredded cheese will go into the ricotta mixture with the rest being sprinkled over the top.
- Parmesan: For a little more richness to the dip, I couldn’t forget about parmesan!
- Red Pepper Flakes: Red pepper flakes, also called crushed red pepper, is optional. It will bring a little spice to the dip.
Best Dippers For Lasagna Dip
I have a few delicious options to serve with lasagna dip for dipping. Here are my top five:
- Crostini (toasted French baguette)
- Garlic Breadsticks (or, have you tried my Focaccia Breadsticks, yet? They are my favorite!)
- Air Fryer Pasta Chips (which are deliciously addictive on their own, too)!
- Pita Chips
- Homemade Tortilla Chips
Can I Prepare The Dip In Advance?
Yes, you can get this lasagna dip layered a day in advance. Then, it’s ready to bake the next day! First, cook the sausage mixture. Next, combine the ricotta mixture. Then, layer the dip in an oven-safe dish. Cover and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, preheat the oven and remove the dip from the refrigerator to let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. Finally, bake as directed, or until the cheese is hot and bubbly! Dip in!
Storing & Reheating Lasagna Dip
To store lasagna dip, first, let it cool completely. Next, store the dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last up to 3-4 days. Reheat the dip in the oven until heated through (10-15 minutes at 350°F) or in the microwave. For longer storage, freeze the dip.
Can I Freeze Lasagna Dip?
Sure! To freeze the lasagna dip, first, let it cool completely. Then, I like to freeze it in smaller portions so it’s easy to grab just what I need. Keep it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, let the dip thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Lasagna Dip
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ pound ground Italian sausage, mild
- ½ small yellow onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, divided
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 cup (257 g) marinara sauce
- 1 cup (246 g) ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups (169.5 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
- ¼ cup (25 g) parmesan cheese, grated
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- fresh basil, chopped for garnish
- crostini, breadsticks, or crackers, for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- To a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Once hot, add sausage, onion, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 8 minutes, breaking up the sausage with a spoon, until the sausage is fully cooked.
- Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Stir in marinara sauce and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, remove the skillet from heat.
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, ½ cup of shredded mozzarella, parmesan, the remaining Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until well mixed.
- Spread the ricotta mixture evenly in the bottom of a small oven-safe skillet or baking dish.
- Add the sausage mixture evenly on top of the ricotta layer. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sausage layer.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped fresh basil. Serve hot with breadsticks, crostini, or crackers for dipping.
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
I love this dip with crostini–perfect for scooping up all that deliciousness!
Elizabeth
I love lasagna, so I am not surprised I loved this dip! It's really cheesy–no complaints here!
Annabelle
This will be popular at parties and a good dip to serve during football season.
Bella
So flavorful and comforting! The combination of marinara and cheeses really gives you that classic lasagna taste in a dip form.
Selena
This dip is a must-try! It captures all the flavors of lasagna without the hassle. I might even make it for a family dinner.
