[SAVORY] - Italian Flag Dip with Caramelized Onion Ciabatta

Ciabatta Bread

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 tablespoon dried minced onion

1 can refrigerated pizza crust

Dip

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

¾ teaspoon garlic powder, divided

¾ teaspoon basil leaves, divided

¾ teaspoon oregano leaves, divided

1 teaspoon red wine vinegar

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

¾ cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided

1 cup bottled pizza sauce

¼ cup diced pepperoni

¼ cup diced green bell pepper

¼ cup sliced green onions

½ cup seeded, diced tomato

¼ cup bottled basil pesto sauce

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Pour melted butter into a 9x5-inch loaf pan, tilting pan to coat bottom. Sprinkle dried minced onion evenly over butter. Place unrolled pizza dough into the loaf pan, turning to coat all sides with the butter and onion. Firmly press dough evenly on bottom of pan. Bake 23 to 29 minutes, until top is golden brown.

2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together the cream cheese, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon basil leaves, ½ teaspoon oregano leaves and vinegar until well blended. Add ½ cup mozzarella cheese and ½ cup Parmesan cheese; mix well. In a separate small bowl, mix together the pizza sauce with the remaining ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon basil leaves and ¼ teaspoon oregano leaves; add pepperoni and mix well.

3. To assemble the Italian Flag Dip, spread cream cheese mixture evenly over bottom of ungreased 8-inch square glass baking dish. Pour pizza sauce mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer. Sprinkle the bell peppers and onions over the left third of the pizza sauce layer. Sprinkle the tomatoes over the right third of the pizza sauce layer. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup mozzarella and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese over the middle third of the pizza sauce layer.

4. Microwave* dip uncovered on High power for 4 minutes. Carefully remove from microwave and gently spread the pesto sauce over the bell peppers and onions only. Return to microwave and cook for 1 minute more on High power, or until cheeses are melted. Serve hot with sliced or torn Caramelized Onion Ciabatta Bread for dipping.

*Can also bake dip in a 350F degree oven for 20-25 minutes.

(The picture shows a variation of the recipe, plus it's almost all eaten!)