Quick and Easy Pizza Dip Recipe — This simple yet delectable Pizza Dip is a crowd-pleaser perfect for any gathering! Crafted with cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, essential pantry spices, pepperoni, and crispy bacon, this hot dip captures the essence of pizza and never fails to impress. Tailor it with your choice of toppings and enjoy with breadsticks, crusty slices of French bread, bagel chips, crackers, or mini bell peppers for a delightful party treat.
Transform your go-to party dish into your new favorite appetizer with this pizza dip! This indulgent, oven-baked treat is a celebration of cheese, featuring a base of creamy cream cheese, a layer of stretchy mozzarella for that perfect cheese pull, and a sprinkle of parmesan for a burst of flavor. Serve this pizza-inspired dip hot at your next gathering, perfect with toasted baguette slices, pita chips, or bagel chips. It’s an ideal snack for game days and is sure to be a hit at any Super Bowl party, disappearing long before the halftime show starts!
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Delicious Pepperoni Pizza Dip
Pizza reigns supreme as a universal favorite, ideal for game days, family dinners, or when you’re simply craving cheese. For those who adore cheese or can’t get enough of pizza, this crustless pizza dip will be a hit. Opting for this dip means you can bypass the labor-intensive process of making a homemade pizza crust and go straight for the gooey, cheesy goodness. Additionally, the absence of a crust makes this a naturally gluten-free option, perfect for hosting guests with dietary preferences.
This pepperoni dip recipe is incredibly quick and simple, allowing you to prepare and bake it in under five minutes without using any bowls. It’s the ideal hassle-free dish. The dip contains just five ingredients, with three types of cheese: cream cheese, mozzarella, and parmesan. These cheeses are layered with pizza sauce and topped with pepperoni for a delicious combination.
This delectable pizza dip is the perfect starter for any social event. Packed with melted cheese, zesty pizza sauce, and your choice of toppings, it’s guaranteed to delight your guests. Give it a try and discover why it’s hailed as the ultimate pizza dip! For more fun pizza-inspired treats, consider making pizza-stuffed crescent rolls, burgers, pizza casserole, and pizza-stuffed zucchini boats.
Can You Add More Toppings to This Pizza Dip?
If you enjoy enhancing your pizza with various toppings, such as black olives, sausage, bell peppers, or even pineapple, feel free to incorporate these into the dip. This recipe is versatile enough to accommodate any toppings you typically enjoy on your pizza!
Is It Possible to Make Pizza Dip in a CrockPot?
I haven’t tried making pizza dip in a CrockPot, so I can’t guarantee the results. Given the specific texture of this dip, I suspect it might not be suitable for slow cooking.
How to Store and Reheat the Pizza Dip
To store leftover pizza dip, transfer it to an airtight container and keep it refrigerated for up to five days. When ready to enjoy again, reheat individual servings in the microwave in 30-second bursts. While you might think of it as crustless pizza or noodle-less lasagna when reheating, it’s unlikely you’ll have leftovers to worry about. This cheesy, gooey bowl of comfort tends to disappear quickly once served!
What type of baking dish is ideal for pizza dip?
For preparing pizza dip, a deep-dish pie plate is highly recommended. This type of dish is usually about 2 inches deep and 10 inches wide, providing more depth and width than a standard pie plate, which measures about 1 inch deep and 9 inches wide. The larger size helps in evenly browning the cheese under the broiler while also allowing ample room for layers of marinara, various cheeses, and toppings. If a deep-dish pie plate isn’t available, an 8-inch square baking dish can also be used effectively.
How long does it take to brown cheese under a broiler?
The time it takes to brown cheese under a broiler can vary depending on your oven, as broilers differ in heat intensity and positioning. Generally, about two minutes should suffice to bubble and brown the cheese nicely. However, it’s important to keep a close watch on it, checking every 30 seconds and adjusting the pan as needed to avoid uneven browning.
What alternatives are there to mini pepperoni?
If mini pepperoni is unavailable, you can substitute it by cutting regular pepperoni slices into smaller pieces. Additionally, you can personalize your dip with other preferred toppings such as browned Italian sausage, sautéed mushrooms, or even sliced jalapeños to enhance the flavor.
Is there a difference between shredded parmesan and grated parmesan?
Yes, there is a distinction between shredded and grated parmesan. Grated parmesan is finely ground into a powdery consistency, whereas shredded parmesan consists of fine strands similar to shredded mozzarella. For this recipe, it’s advisable to use grated parmesan because it blends more seamlessly with the cream cheese.
Ingredients for Pizza Dip:
– Dairy: Cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, and sour cream
– Spices: Dried basil, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper
– Pizza sauce
– Meats: Crispy bacon and mini pepperoni
Pizza Dip Recipe
Begin by combining cream cheese, a portion of the mozzarella cheese, sour cream, dried basil, dried oregano, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes in a medium-sized bowl.
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Use an electric mixer to blend these ingredients until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Spread this mixture evenly across the bottom of a pie pan or baking dish.
Next, layer approximately 1 cup of pizza sauce over the cream cheese base.
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and the remaining mozzarella cheese.
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Add a layer of pepperoni slices and crisp-cooked bacon on top. Place the dish in the oven and bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese has completely melted.
After removing from the oven, allow the dip to cool for about 3-5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil. Serve the dip warm with slices of toasted French bread, warm breadsticks, or freshly baked rolls.
Recipe Tips for Pizza Dip
You can prepare this flavorful dip up to three days ahead. Just assemble it, but hold off on baking. Cover it with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. Take it out 40 minutes before you plan to bake it to allow it to reach room temperature. Then, remove the plastic wrap and bake as directed.
Expect the cream cheese base to have some texture due to the inclusion of shredded mozzarella.
You can use either standard or mini pepperoni for this recipe.
Allow the dip to cool slightly before serving to prevent any mouth burns.
Keep any leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to three days. Note that the storage time will be shorter if the dip was prepared ahead of time. For reheating, use the microwave on a lower power setting.
Suggested Accompaniments for Pizza Dip
Crispy baguette slices
Garlic knots
Mini bell peppers
Breadsticks
Garlic bread
Bagel chips
Pita chips
Tortilla chips
Recipe Variations for Pizza Dip
Meats: Add cooked sausage, ham, chicken, or turkey.
Vegetables: Incorporate mushrooms (sautéed first), red onions, spinach, or bell peppers.
Fruits: Try adding pineapple, black olives, green olives, or tomatoes.
Dip with Pizza Flavors
Ingredients
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon each of dried basil, oregano, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup pizza or marinara sauce
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 15-20 slices pepperoni or ¼ cup mini pepperoni
- 3 slices crispy cooked bacon, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- In a mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the cream cheese, 3/4 cup mozzarella, sour cream, dried basil, oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Transfer the cream cheese blend to a 9-inch pie plate or similar baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Layer the pizza sauce over the cream cheese base, then sprinkle with Parmesan and the remaining mozzarella. Top with pepperoni and bacon.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Allow to cool for 3-5 minutes.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley or basil. Serve with toasted French bread, warm breadsticks, or fresh rolls.
Notes
- Prepare this dip up to 3 days ahead, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate without baking. Remove from the fridge 40 minutes before baking to reach room temperature, then bake as directed.
- The mixture may not be completely smooth due to the shredded mozzarella.
- Both standard and mini pepperoni slices are suitable for this recipe.
- Allow the dip to cool slightly before serving to prevent burns.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave on a lower power setting.
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