Spicy Sausage and Swiss Chard Dip Recipe
This Spicy Sausage and Swiss Chard Dip is a flavorful and comforting appetizer featuring a creamy blend of spicy Italian sausage, tender Swiss chard, and a trio of cheeses. Paired with homemade garlic crostini, it offers a perfect balance of spicy, savory, and cheesy goodness that’s ideal for parties or cozy nights in.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Garlic Crostini
- 1 stick butter (melted)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp red chili flakes (optional)
- ⅛ tsp pepper
- 1 loaf baguette
Spicy Sausage and Swiss Chard Dip
- ½ lb spicy Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 bunch Swiss chard (about 1 ½ cups stems and 6 cups leaves)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese (divided)
Instructions
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, dried basil, garlic powder, kosher salt, red chili flakes (if using), and pepper. Stir well to make a flavorful garlic butter.
- Make Garlic Crostini: Thinly slice the baguette on a bias and arrange the slices on a baking sheet. Brush one side of each slice with the garlic butter. Broil under high heat for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown. Flip slices, brush the other side with the garlic butter and broil another 3 to 4 minutes until golden on the bottom. Transfer crostini to a rack to cool and set aside.
- Cook Sausage: In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, sauté the spicy Italian sausage until fully cooked and browned. Drain excess fat and set the sausage aside.
- Prepare Swiss Chard: Remove stems from Swiss chard and finely dice them. Cut leaves into thin ribbons to measure about 1 ½ cups stems and 6 cups leaves. In a skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add diced chard stems and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until tender. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add chard leaves and cook just until wilted. Transfer chard mixture to a bowl and allow to cool.
- Make Dip Mixture: In a mixing bowl, whisk together softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise until smooth. Stir in cooked sausage, sautéed chard, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and ¼ cup parmesan cheese until well combined.
- Bake the Dip: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Transfer the dip mixture into an oven-safe baking dish. Top with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and ¼ cup parmesan cheese. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the dip is bubbly, heated through, and cheese is golden brown.
- Serve: Serve the warm dip alongside the garlic crostini or tortilla chips. Enjoy this hearty and spicy appetizer warm.
Notes
- For a milder dip, reduce or omit the red chili flakes and use mild Italian sausage instead of spicy.
- Swiss chard stems can be fibrous; be sure to dice them finely and cook thoroughly for a tender texture.
- Use freshly shredded cheeses for better melting and flavor.
- This dip can be made ahead and baked just before serving to save time.
- Leftover dip can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
