Garden Vegetable Spread Recipe
This Garden Vegetable Spread is a creamy and flavorful appetizer combining sautéed fresh vegetables with cream cheese, mayonnaise, and mozzarella. Perfectly seasoned with Italian herbs and paprika, it makes a delicious and healthy dip or sandwich filling that’s easy to prepare and ideal for entertaining or everyday snacks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 1 cup spread, serves 6 as a dip 1x
- Category: Spread
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup finely chopped onion
- ½ cup grated carrot
- ½ cup finely diced zucchini
- ¼ cup finely diced red bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Base and Garnish
- 3 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- ¼ cup finely shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Heat Olive Oil: Place a skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil, allowing it to warm up before adding the vegetables.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped onion, grated carrot, diced zucchini, and red bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently until the vegetables have softened and most of their moisture has evaporated.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, salt, black pepper, dried Italian seasoning, and paprika. Continue cooking for an additional minute to allow the spices to bloom.
- Cool the Mixture: Remove the skillet from heat and let the vegetable mixture cool slightly to prevent melting the cheese later.
- Combine Ingredients: Transfer the cooked vegetables to a mixing bowl. Add softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, shredded mozzarella, chopped parsley, and lemon juice.
- Mix Until Creamy: Stir the mixture thoroughly until it becomes creamy and well combined.
- Refrigerate to Blend Flavors: Cover the spread and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the spread to firm up slightly before serving.
Notes
- For a lower fat option, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt and use reduced-fat cream cheese.
- This spread pairs well with crackers, fresh baguette slices, or as a sandwich spread.
- Can be made a day ahead to deepen the flavor.
- For a vegan version, use plant-based cream cheese, vegan mayo, and dairy-free mozzarella.
- Store leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: vegetable spread, garden vegetable dip, creamy vegetable spread, healthy appetizer, vegetarian spread
Find it online: https://chefmilacook.com/garden-vegetable-spread-recipe/
