Cheesy Italian Lentil Dip Recipe

Rich and creamy Cheesy Italian Lentil Dip with Pecorino cheese, hearty lentils, and Italian herbs. A delicious and easy appetizer.

This quick and easy Cheesy Italian Lentil Dip Recipe is a simple mix of pantry ingredients that are great on their own, but better when combined. Hardy lentils become the backdrop of this dip and are a delightful high fiber food.

Whole tomatoes and Italian herbs are pureed together with just a touch of garlic for some Mediterranean flair.  This sauce is then added to the lentils to create this Cheesy Italian Lentil Dip.  Pecorino cheese offers a salty component bringing balance and zing to finish in style.

I serve this Lentil Dip with butter crackers for a complimentary experience in each and every bite.  A good rustic baguette would work beautifully too.

Ingredients

• 1 clove garlic
• 14 ounces whole tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 14 ounces cooked lentils
• 1/2 cup Pecorino cheese + more for top
• crackers to serve

Tips

• Use remaining sauce for another recipe (over pasta, rice or as a dip)
• This dip would be great served warm
• You can substitute Parmesan cheese or Pecorino

(Serves 6)

To Prepare:

1. In a food processor, add garlic and pulse until minced.  Add tomatoes and Italian seasoning, salt and red pepper flakes.
2. Puree until almost smooth.
3. In a bowl, add lentils, half of tomato mixture and 1/2 Pecorino cheese.  Stir until combined.
4. Pour into serving dish and finish with more Pecorino over top.  Serve with crackers.  Enjoy!

This Cheesy Italian Lentil Dip would be great over hot pasta, tofu or fish as well.  The possibilities are endless.