Last Updated on December 14, 2022 by Kathryn Donangelo
Dive in and enjoy the savory gooey flavors of this Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Dip recipe made with smooth cream cheese! This hot pizza dip is perfect as an appetizer or snack whenever you’re craving flavors of mozzarella, pizza sauce, pepperoni, and Italian seasoning. Just one bite and you will be hooked!
PIN Pepperoni Pizza Dip to try later!
BAKED LAYERED PIZZA DIP
Just like the traditional and irresistible flavors of a classic pepperoni pizza, this cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Dip recipe is baked with delicious ingredients that are easy to love! Dip your favorite crackers or toasted bread into this savory hot layered dip–you won’t regret it!
This dipping sauce is perfect with pizza rolls, garlic bread, and much more which means it is super versatile! I love this recipe because it is so easy, too. All you do is layer the cream cheese, mozzarella, garlic powder, and marinara sauce and bake the dip until it has reached cheesy perfection.
Feel free to get creative with this recipe and add your choice of savory toppings like Italian sausage and additional cheeses. This easy appetizer recipe is easy to customize and will be mouthwatering no matter which way you try it. If you’re a pizza lover, then you will love making this dip again and again–especially whenever you need some fresh inspiration in the kitchen!
Appetizer and side dish recipes are great for any type of occasion. Whether you’re just having a movie night at home or attending a potluck, there are so many great creative ideas such as Spicy Artichoke Dip, Italian Pinwheels, Cheese Pizza Roll-Ups, and this Antipasto Christmas Wreath. There are just so many tasty options out there!
INGREDIENTS
Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese is used to make sure this pizza dip is as creamy and rich as it should be. Cream cheese is neutral and easy to pair with savory robust flavors that are bold to create the perfect blend of flavors!
Italian Seasoning: A classic trio of herbs for this Italian-style recipe, you will want to make sure you have plenty of Italian seasoning on hand. If you don’t have a jar of Italian seasoning, then you can make your own with dried basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram.
Garlic Powder: Ground garlic powder adds a rich savoriness to this hot dip which gives it plenty of exciting and yummy flavors. It doesn’t take much for this recipe to taste amazing!
Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella cheese is the perfect cheese for this dip. Mozzarella melts especially well and is a classic pizza option.
Pizza Sauce: Use your favorite store-bought marinara or pizza sauce or simply make your own tomato sauce from scratch!
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated parmesan cheese makes this dip even tastier! I like to grate my own parmesan because it provides extra rich flavors that you can’t typically taste in pre-grated parmesan.
Pepperoni: Thin pepperoni slices are baked on top of the dip and are what give this dip its name! Feel free to leave the pepperoni slices off of this recipe.
HOW TO MAKE CHEESY HOT PEPPERONI DIP
STEP ONE: First, make sure the cream cheese is soft enough to use! You will want to make sure to pull the cream cheese out of the refrigerator ahead of time. Next, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray a nine-inch pie dish with cooking spray. You can also just rub the pan with oil or butter.
STEP TWO: In a medium bowl with a fork or electric hand mixer, mix together the softened cream cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until well combined.
STEP THREE: Using a rubber spatula or butter knife, evenly spread the cream cheese onto the greased baking dish. This may take a little bit of time as the cream cheese may move around while you try to spread it.
STEP FOUR: Next, layer the dip. Sprinkle one cup of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the mixed cream cheese, then evenly spread the pizza sauce on top with a rubber spatula.
Sprinkle the top of the dip with grated parmesan and more mozzarella cheese.
STEP FIVE: Finally, add the pepperoni slices to the top of the cheeses. Arrange the pepperonis in a single layer making sure to coat as much as the top as possible.
Bake the cheesy pizza dip in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is melted and super bubbly.
Allow the dip to cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve this cheesy goodness with baguette slices, pretzel sticks, crackers, breadsticks, and more!
In need of some appetizer ideas for the big game day or holidays coming up? This bubbly homemade dip is perfect for tailgating and serving to a crowd–including kids and picky eaters! Pizza night will never be the same after you’ve tried this hot pizza dip recipe. I promise!
PIZZA DIP VARIATIONS
- Instead of pepperoni, use cooked sausage, ham, turkey pepperoni, or buffalo chicken.
- Make a vegetarian pizza dip by removing the pepperoni and replacing it with various fresh veggies like eggplant, tomatoes, bell peppers, spinach, olives, and much more.
- Add more cheese options like feta and different types of cheddar cheeses. You can even use pepper jack to make this dip spicy!
- Make a ham and pineapple variation by topping with sliced ham and pineapples.
- Keep this recipe gluten-free by serving with gluten-free crackers or breadsticks.
- Top this pepperoni dip with creamy ranch.
TIPS FOR MAKING TASTY PIZZA DIP WITH CREAM CHEESE
- Be sure to bake the dip until all of the cheese has melted and the sauce begins to bubble.
- Carefully remove the dip from the oven with an oven mitt. It will be hot!
- Be sure to use a brick-style cream cheese because that has the richest and creamiest flavors.
- Pull the cream cheese out of the refrigerator and allow it to sit at room temperature until it has softened. You can also warm the cream cheese up in the microwave by placing the block in a microwaveable safe bowl.
STORING LEFTOVERS
Store the leftover pizza dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for four days. You can also wrap the dip in the dish with foil, plastic wrap, or parchment paper.
Reheat the pizza in the microwave in a microwave-safe container until fully melted and warm or reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F until fully heated.
CAN I USE PASTA SAUCE FOR PIZZA?
You can! You may need to simmer the pasta sauce in a saucepan until it thickens to be a little more similar to pizza sauce. Feel free to add your favorite types of herbs and seasoning to the sauce.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MARINARA SAUCE AND PIZZA SAUCE?
The consistency is the biggest difference! Marinara is much lighter than pizza sauce and is spreads easier on top of the pizza. Pizza sauce is thicker.
MORE TASTY DIP RECIPES
- Heart-Shaped Pizza
- Homemade Green Goddess Pizza
- Jalapeño Popper Pizza
- Whipped Feta Garlic Dip
- Veggie and Herb Spinach Dip
- Hot Spinach Dip
- Roasted Garlic Hummus
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Pizza Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese; softened
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese; shredded
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese; grated
- 1 cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- 11-12 pepperoni slices; or enough to cover the pie dish
- pinch salt and pepper
- baguette slices; for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 inch glass pie dish or baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, with a fork or electric mixer mash together the softened cream cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder together until combined.
- Using a spatula or butter knife, evenly spread the cream cheese mixture on the greased pie dish. It will slide around and may be somewhat challenging to get even but it doesn't have to be perfect.
- To layer the dip, sprinkle 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese on top of the cream cheese, then evenly spread the pizza sauce with a spatular or butter knife. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese evenly on top. Add the pepperonis (or any of your favorite pizza toppings) to the top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese has melted and is bubbly. Let the dip cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve with baguette slices, pretzels, crackers or breadsticks. Enjoy!
Notes
- Be sure to bake the dip until all of the cheese has melted and the sauce begins to bubble.Â
- Carefully remove the dip from the oven with an oven mitt. It will be hot!Â
- Be sure to use a brick-style cream cheese because that has the richest and creamiest flavors.Â
- Pull the cream cheese out of the refrigerator and allow it to sit at room temperature until it has softened. You can also warm the cream cheese up in the microwave by placing the block in a microwaveable safe bowl.Â
It’s time to start planning our holiday parties we all need some delicious and festive recipes to serve! Check out all these amazing holiday appetizers as part of the #FavoritePartyFood blogging event hosted by Jennifer from Take Two Tapas
FAVORITE PARTY FOODS
- Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball from Jennifer at Take Two Tapas
- Pumpkin White Russian Cocktail from Michaela at An Affair from the Heart
- Slow Cooker Jalapeno Popper Dip from Ashley at Cheese Curd in Paradise
- Gingerbread Bundt Cake from Julie at Hostess at Heart
- Pizza Dip from Kathryn at Kathryn’s Kitchen Blog
- Snowman Cheese Ball from Liz at Eat Move Make
- Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip from Kathleen at The Fresh Cooky
- Spinach and Roasted Red Pepper Hummus from Audrey at That Recipe
- Mini Cheeseball Truffles from Teri at Our Good Life
- Everything Bagel Mini Pigs in a Blanket from Lisa at Blogghetti
- Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Potato Skins from Wendy at A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball from Rebecca at Devour Dinner
- 4 Minute Spicy Garlic Shrimp from Sue at Palatable Pastime
- Easy Italian Meatball Appetizer from Inger at Art of Natural Living
- Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates from Erin at The Spiffy Cookie
- Prosciutto Wrapped Mozzarella and Basil from Karen at Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Caprese Cups from Radha at Magical Ingredients
Love this idea, a hit for young and old alike.
Thank you!
Great idea to make “pizza” into a dip. Kids of all ages will love this one.
Thank you, Lisa!
My crew absolutely devoured this dip! We served it with baguettes as you did and it was a match made in heaven. I’m making it for another group at Christmas!
So happy to hear that you all loved this! Thank you, Julie!
Wow! Easy, clever and looks just like a pizza!
Thanks Inger!
I can’t resist anything with melted cheese so I was so excited to make this dip. We had a few friends over and played cards, and we DESTROYED this dip! So good!
That’s awesome! Thank you so much, Jennifer!
We enjoyed this for dinner on Friday night, it was so delicious, I kept it low car and served it with sliced cucumbers and carrots, it was so delicious.
I love the low-carb options! I will have to try that! Glad you loved it, Kathleen 🙂
This dip is so fun to eat and make! I love that you can pick what kind of bread you want to dip, and it’s like eating pizza a different way!
Thank you Rebecca!
The vegetarian version is always a super hit in our home! This is a great recipe!