Description
This Pepperoni Pizza Dip is a creamy, cheesy appetizer packed with classic pizza flavors like mozzarella, pepperoni, and Italian seasoning. Perfectly baked until hot and bubbly, it’s ideal for sharing during game nights or casual gatherings, and pairs wonderfully with breadsticks, crackers, or vegetable sticks.
Ingredients
Scale
Dip Base
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
Cheese & Meat
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Optional: red pepper flakes for heat
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the dip to a perfect bubbly finish.
- Mix Base Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, thoroughly combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, and pizza sauce until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add Cheese, Pepperoni, and Seasoning: Gently fold in the shredded mozzarella, chopped pepperoni, grated Parmesan, and Italian seasoning to evenly distribute the flavors.
- Transfer Mixture to Baking Dish: Spoon the combined mixture into a small baking dish, spreading it out evenly for consistent baking.
- Bake Initial Layer: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the dip is hot and bubbling around the edges.
- Add Toppings and Bake More: Sprinkle extra mozzarella cheese and additional pepperoni on top if desired, then bake the dip for another 5 minutes to melt the cheese and intensify flavors.
- Serve Warm: Remove from oven and serve the dip warm with your choice of breadsticks, crackers, or fresh vegetable sticks for dipping.
Notes
- For extra heat, sprinkle red pepper flakes into the dip or on top before the final bake.
- Use full-fat cream cheese and sour cream for the creamiest texture.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in your dip.
- Feel free to substitute pepperoni with cooked sausage or omit for a vegetarian option (adjust diet accordingly).
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
