Baked Layered Italian Spread

Description
A rich, savory cheese spread featuring the tastes of Italy, warm and comforting!



Ingredients

 * 8 	 ounces   cream cheese, softened
 * 1/4 	cup grated parmesan cheese
 * 2 	tablespoons grated asiago cheese
 * 1/3 	cup pesto sauce
 * 1/2 	teaspoon minced roasted garlic
 * 1/2 	cup finely shredded mozzarella cheese
 * 1/4 	cup minced roasted red peppers (from the jar is fine)
 * 2 	tablespoons chopped parma ham or prosciutto (omit if making vegetarian style)
 * 1/4 	cup cooked small white beans
 * 1/3 	cup chopped black olives or green olives (your choice)
 * 1/3 	cup chopped marinated artichoke hearts
 * 1 	tablespoon minced red onions
 * 1 	tablespoon freshly minced parsley

Directions

 * Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
 * In a bowl, cream together the cream cheese, Parmesan, and Asagio; spread into the bottom of a 9-inch deep-dish pie dish.
 * Mix together the pesto and roasted garlic; spread in a layer over the cheeses on the dish.
 * Spread the shredded mozzarella over the pesto layer, then sprinkle with the roasted red pepper.
 * Mix together the Parma ham or prosciutto and the cooked white beans; set aside.
 * To arrange the last layer, mentally divide the contents of the dish into three equal"pie slice" shaped sections, then: (1) over one section, arrange the black or green olives, (2) over another section, arrange the artichoke hearts, (3) and over another layer the Parma and bean mixture.
 * Sprinkle the entire dish with the onion and parsley, and bake in a 350 degree F oven for 20 minutes and it's bubbly.
 * Remove from oven and serve hot with dippers such as endive leaves or thin slices of toasted Italian bread.
 * NOTE: you can leave out the Parma ham if you want it to be vegetarian; also, this can be made up ahead of time and reheated, if necessary.