Description
A delicious and cheesy pepperoni pizza dip that’s perfect for parties, game day, or as a savory appetizer. This warm dip combines cream cheese, sour cream, pizza sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan, and plenty of pepperoni, all baked to bubbly perfection and served with crackers or breadsticks.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 20 to 25 slices pepperoni
Optional Toppings
- 2 tablespoons chopped green bell pepper
- 2 tablespoons sliced black olives
Garnish and Serving
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
- Crackers, breadsticks, or toasted baguette slices for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the dip.
- Mix Base: In a medium bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Layer Cream Cheese Mixture: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly in the bottom of a 9-inch pie dish or small baking dish to create a flavorful base layer.
- Add Pizza Sauce: Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the cream cheese layer, ensuring full coverage for taste consistency.
- Sprinkle Cheese: Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the pizza sauce layer to enhance cheesiness.
- Add Toppings: Arrange the pepperoni slices evenly on top of the cheese layer. If using, add the chopped green bell pepper and sliced black olives for extra flavor and texture.
- Top with Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the toppings to complete the cheesy topping.
- Bake: Bake the dip in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and lightly golden on top.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove the dip from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley for added color and freshness.
- Serve: Serve the dip warm alongside crackers, breadsticks, or toasted baguette slices for dipping.
Notes
- Customize this dip with additional favorite pizza toppings like mushrooms, onions, or cooked sausage for more flavor variety.
- For added heat, incorporate crushed red pepper flakes into the base or use spicy pepperoni slices.
- If gluten-free serving is desired, use gluten-free crackers or bread alternatives as dippers.
- Let the dip cool briefly before serving to avoid burns and allow flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About ¼ cup
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
