This pepperoni pizza dip is a cheesy, shareable appetizer that captures all the flavors of a classic pizza in dip form.
With layers of seasoned cream cheese, pizza sauce, and gooey mozzarella, along with the best toppings, this dip is perfect for game day, parties, or movie night! Serve it with warm breadsticks for a crowd-pleasing hit.
Many, many years ago, in the hopes of finding a work-from-home job, I started selling Pampered Chef products. I really loved cooking, the products were good quality, and I thought it would be a match made in heaven!
Well, I'm not very good at the whole networking and sales thing, so it ended almost as soon as it began. But one thing I did get from the experience was a ton of great recipes.
One of them was a super easy recipe for pizza dip. Over the years, this recipe has evolved A LOT. It now includes seasoning, toppings, savory pepperoni, and ALL of the melty cheeses. It's the perfect appetizer for any potluck, game night, or party.
We have loved making this cheesy dip over the years, and I know you're going to fall in love with it too!
Why You'll Love It:
- SO GOOD! This is one of the most delicious dip recipes. It's bubbly, pizza-flavored, and loaded with cheese. Need I say more?
- Great for parties. Whether it's a potluck, holiday get-together, or a Super Bowl party, this easy pizza dip recipe is always a big hit!
- Easy peasy. If you can layer ingredients in a baking dish, you have all of the skills required to make this easy appetizer.
You Will Need:
- Cream cheese: Be sure to use brick-style cream cheese, not the type that comes in a container. The bricks are firm and stand up to baking.
- Pizza sauce (or marinara): We love to use a good-quality pizza sauce (like Mutti), but marinara sauce can be used instead.
- Cheese: This recipe uses a blend of cheeses for the ultimate gooey and hot pizza dip. You'll need cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese.
- Sour cream: Use a thick, high-quality sour cream that stands up to baking, like Daisy or Good Culture. This can be substituted for mayonnaise if you prefer.
- Seasonings: Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
- Toppings: Use your favorite pizza toppings, such as bell pepper, mushrooms, onion, olives, etc.
How to Make Baked Pizza Dip
This cheesy pepperoni pizza dip is SO easy to make. After a quick assembly, it's ready to go right into the oven, where it's baked until bubbly, hot, and delightfully gooey.
- Step one: Beat the cream cheese with sour cream, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Add the cream cheese, then fold it in gently with a silicone spatula.
- Step two: Spread the cream cheese mixture into the bottom of a round baking dish or pie plate.
- Step three: Layer on the pizza sauce (or marinara sauce), and add a few toppings of your choice (if using).
- Step four: Top with shredded mozzarella, pepperoni slices, and 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake at 350ºF for 20-22 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, hot, and bubbly.
Serve and Enjoy!
Remove from the oven, garnish with additional grated parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and a few pinches of crushed red pepper flakes (if desired).
Ideas for Dipping:
- Warm breadsticks
- Garlic bread
- Toasted baguette slices
- Pita chips
- Crusty Italian bread
- Tortilla chips
- Veggie sticks
Expert Tips
- Add your favorite toppings. This is pizza dip after all! Add whatever you enjoy on your pizza, but be sure to layer most toppings under the cheese. Otherwise, the top gets weighed down too much.
- Make sure your cream cheese is soft. To prevent lumps, your cream cheese should be very soft before beginning the recipe. This can be done by leaving it at room temperature for 1-2 hours, or microwaving it for 5-10 seconds per side.
- Use an oven-safe dish. It should go without saying, but even an experienced home cook can make a little mistake! Make sure the dish you use is safe for use in the oven – some are only for decorative use.
Make it in a Slow Cooker
- Double the recipe if using a 6-quart slow cooker, or use a 3 or 4-quart Crock Pot.
- Layer as directed in the recipe.
- Cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours, removing the lid for the final 30 minutes to allow steam to escape.
- Note: The pepperoni won't get crispy, and the cheese will not brown this way, but it will still taste great!
If you loved this recipe for Pizza Dip, let me know by leaving a 5-star review in the recipe card or commenting below! You can also tag me on Instagram @dashfordinner.
Pepperoni Pizza Dip
Ingredients
- 1 block (8oz) cream cheese softened
- ½ cup sour cream good quality, like Daisy or Good Culture (or mayonnaise)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ cups pizza sauce* or marinara sauce
- Your favorite pizza toppings** bell pepper, red onion, mushrooms, olives, etc. (optional)
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 14 pepperoni slices (about ½ cup)
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese divided
- Crushed red pepper flakes for garnish (optional)
- Your favorite dippers breadsticks, toasted baguette slices, pita chips, etc.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC) and lightly grease a 9-10” (24cm) round baking dish.
- Add the softened cream cheese, sour cream, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder to a medium mixing bowl.
- Using an electric mixer (or a silicone spatula and some elbow grease), beat the cream cheese together with the other ingredients until smooth and lump-free, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Sprinkle in the cheddar cheese, and fold it in gently.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Pour in the pizza sauce (or marinara), and spread it out into an even layer.
- Add any pizza toppings (if desired) on top of the marinara sauce. If using mushrooms, add them to the top layer with the pepperoni.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the pizza sauce and toppings.
- Place the pepperoni slices on top of the cheese, leaving about ¾” of space between slices. Sprinkle half of the Parmesan cheese on top.
- Place the dish on a baking sheet and bake for 20-22 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the dip is hot and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and garnish with the remaining Parmesan cheese and a pinch of red pepper flakes (if desired). Serve with warm breadsticks, baguette slices, or dippers of your choice.
Notes
Nutrition
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Dorothy Bigelow
This recipe is SO good, and I'm always being asked for the recipe. It's perfect for cozy Fall and Winter get-togethers.