Easy Mardi Gras Hot Muffuletta Dip – Best Party Appetizer

Introduction

Mardi Gras Muffuletta Dip is the ultimate way to bring bold New Orleans flavor to your table without the fuss of assembling a full sandwich. This Easy Mardi Gras Hot Muffuletta Dip – Best Party Appetizer transforms the iconic muffuletta into a warm, cheesy, scoopable dish that’s perfect for celebrations, game days, and festive gatherings.

If you’ve ever loved the briny olive salad, layers of savory meats, and melted cheese in a classic muffuletta, you’ll fall head over heels for this dip. It’s rich, tangy, slightly salty, and incredibly satisfying. Served bubbling hot straight from the oven, it disappears fast at any party.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Packed with bold, zesty flavor
  • Easy to prepare in under 40 minutes
  • Perfect for Mardi Gras parties and potlucks
  • Warm, cheesy, and crowd-pleasing
  • Can be made ahead and baked before serving

This dip delivers all the flavor of a traditional muffuletta in a simple, scoopable format that everyone loves.

Ingredients of the Mardi Gras Muffuletta Dip

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup shredded provolone cheese
  • 1 cup chopped cooked chicken breast
  • ½ cup sliced beef salami, chopped
  • ½ cup olive salad mix (green and black olives with peppers)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (from olive salad if possible)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Ingredients for Mardi Gras hot muffuletta dip arranged on counter
Simple ingredients that bring bold New Orleans flavor.

Equipment / Tools Needed for Mardi Gras Muffuletta Dip

  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Electric mixer or sturdy spoon
  • 8×8-inch baking dish
  • Oven
  • Spatula

Kitchen Tip

Allow cream cheese to fully soften at room temperature. This ensures a smooth, creamy dip without lumps.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Mardi Gras Muffuletta Dip

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish.
  2. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
  3. Stir in mozzarella and provolone cheeses.
  4. Fold in chopped chicken, beef salami, olive salad mix, olive oil, oregano, black pepper, and garlic powder.
  5. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
  6. Bake for 20–25 minutes until hot and bubbly and the top is lightly golden.
  7. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Muffuletta dip mixture in baking dish before oven
Spreading the dip into the dish before baking until bubbly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using cold cream cheese will create lumps
  • Overbaking can dry out the dip
  • Skipping the olive oil reduces authentic flavor

Cooking Tips & Tricks

  • Add a sprinkle of extra cheese on top before baking for a golden crust
  • Chop ingredients finely for easier scooping
  • For extra heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
  • Stir once halfway through baking if you prefer a creamier texture

Serving Suggestions

Serve Mardi Gras Muffuletta Dip hot with toasted baguette slices, crackers, or tortilla chips. It also pairs beautifully with fresh vegetable sticks like celery and bell peppers. For drinks, sweet tea, sparkling lemonade, or fruit punch complement the rich, savory flavors.

Variations / Substitutions

  • Use rotisserie chicken for convenience
  • Swap provolone with Monterey Jack for a milder flavor
  • Add chopped roasted red peppers for extra color
  • Mix in a small amount of shredded cheddar for added richness

Nutritional Info

Approximate per serving:

  • Calories: 320
  • Fat: 25g
  • Carbohydrates: 6g
  • Protein: 18g

Conclusion

Mardi Gras Muffuletta Dip is bold, festive, and absolutely irresistible. This Easy Mardi Gras Hot Muffuletta Dip – Best Party Appetizer captures the classic flavors of a muffuletta sandwich in a warm, cheesy dish that’s perfect for sharing. Whether you’re celebrating Mardi Gras or hosting a casual gathering, this dip guarantees flavor and fun in every bite.

FAQ

Can I make this dip ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare the dip, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

Can I freeze muffuletta dip?

Freezing is not recommended as the texture of the cream cheese may change after thawing.

What is olive salad mix?

Olive salad mix typically includes chopped green and black olives, peppers, garlic, and olive oil.

How do I reheat leftovers?

Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or microwave in short intervals stirring between.

Hot muffuletta dip with melted cheese and olives

Easy Mardi Gras Hot Muffuletta Dip

Chef Jasper
This Easy Mardi Gras Hot Muffuletta Dip transforms the classic sandwich flavors into a warm, cheesy party appetizer packed with olive salad and savory meats.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American, Cajun
Servings 8 servings
Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 8×8 inch baking dish Used for baking the dip until bubbly.
  • 1 Mixing Bowl For combining all ingredients evenly.
  • 1 Electric Mixer Helps blend cream cheese smoothly.
  • 1 Spatula For spreading the dip mixture into the baking dish.

Ingredients
  

Main ingredients

  • 8 ounce Cream cheese Softened for easy mixing.
  • 1 cup Mozzarella cheese Shredded for melting.
  • 1 cup Provolone cheese Shredded for authentic flavor.
  • 1 cup Cooked chicken breast Chopped into small pieces.
  • 0.5 cup Beef salami Chopped for savory depth.
  • 0.5 cup Olive salad mix Provides briny muffuletta flavor.
  • 2 tablespoon Olive oil Enhances richness.
  • 1 teaspoon Dried oregano Adds classic Italian seasoning.
  • 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper Adds mild heat.
  • 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder Boosts savory flavor.

Instructions
 

Step 1: Preheat oven

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease an 8×8-inch baking dish.

Step 2: Mix ingredients

  • Beat softened cream cheese until smooth, then mix in shredded cheeses, chopped chicken, beef salami, olive salad mix, olive oil, and seasonings.

Step 3: Bake

  • Spread mixture into baking dish and bake for 20–25 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Step 4: Serve

  • Let rest briefly before serving with toasted bread or crackers.

Notes

Essential nutrition facts per serving:
CaloriesFatProteinCarbs
32025g18g6g
Keyword hot muffuletta dip, Mardi Gras Muffuletta Dip, Mardi Gras party appetizer