Cannellini Bean Dip

This creamy white bean dip was inspired by the one served at Katie's Pizza & Pasta in St. Louis—a restaurant I think about often. Roasted garlic, lemon, and good olive oil transform a few simple pantry ingredients into a dip that's rich, bright, and endlessly scoopable. I love serving it with warm pita and crisp vegetables before dinner, but it's just as good spread on toast or tucked into a sandwich.

Yield: About 2½ cups

Servings: 8-10

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 head garlic

• ½ cup + 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving

• 2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

• ½ teaspoon za'atar, plus more for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. Slice the top off the head of garlic to expose the cloves. Place it cut-side up on a piece of foil, drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and wrap tightly in the foil.

3. Roast for 60 minutes, or until the cloves are soft, golden brown, and caramelized. Let cool slightly.

4. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into a food processor.

5. Add the cannellini beans, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Pulse until mostly smooth.

6. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the ½ cup olive oil until the dip is silky and completely smooth.

7. Taste and adjust with additional lemon juice, salt, or pepper as needed.

8. Transfer to a serving bowl. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of za'atar

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Serving Suggestions

Serve with warm pita, crostini, crackers, or fresh vegetables. It also makes a delicious spread for sandwiches, wraps, or grain bowls.

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Storage

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving and drizzle with fresh olive oil to brighten it back up.

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Maddie's Tip

Don't rush the garlic. Roasting it until it's deeply golden and buttery sweet is what gives this dip its rich, mellow flavor. And don't be shy with the olive oil—it's what turns the beans from ordinary into luxuriously creamy.