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.