Italian Olive Cheese Spread (Printable)
Creamy blend of Italian cheeses, briny olives, and fresh herbs for dipping and spreading.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cheeses
01 - 4.2 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
02 - 3.5 oz ricotta cheese
03 - 2.1 oz grated Parmesan cheese
→ Olives & Vegetables
04 - 3.5 oz mixed Italian olives (green and black), pitted and finely chopped
05 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
06 - 2 tbsp sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
07 - 2 tbsp roasted red peppers, finely chopped
→ Flavorings
08 - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
09 - 2 tbsp fresh basil, finely chopped
10 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
11 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
12 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
13 - Salt to taste
# Directions:
01 - In a medium mixing bowl, blend the softened cream cheese, ricotta, and grated Parmesan together until the mixture is smooth and creamy with no lumps remaining.
02 - Gently fold the finely chopped olives, sun-dried tomatoes, minced garlic, and roasted red peppers into the cheese base until evenly distributed.
03 - Stir in the olive oil, fresh basil, parsley, dried oregano, black pepper, and a pinch of salt to taste. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
04 - Transfer the spread to a serving dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve with toasted baguette slices, crackers, or fresh vegetable sticks.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Ten minutes is all it takes, and most of that is just chopping olives while the cheese softens on the counter.
- It tastes like something you would order at a trattoria and pay too much for, but you made it in your socks at the kitchen counter.
02 -
- Skip the chilling step and you will still have a tasty spread, but those thirty minutes transform it from good to the thing people keep talking about on the drive home.
- If your cream cheese is cold and stubborn, fifteen seconds in the microwave fixes everything, but go in short bursts because melted is not the same as softened.
03 -
- Swap ricotta for mascarpone when you want the spread to taste indulgent enough for a holiday table.
- A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes stirred in at the end adds a gentle warmth that makes people lean in for another bite without ever guessing the secret.