Description
Cheesy Baked Pizza Dip – The Party-Stopping Appetizer
A warm, gooey, pizza-inspired dip loaded with mozzarella, parmesan, mini pepperoni, and a tangy sauce—perfect for game nights, potlucks, or casual Friday gatherings. Ready in ~30 minutes (10 minutes prep, 20 minutes bake).
Ingredients
Dip Base:
-
8 oz cream cheese, softened
-
½ tsp Italian seasoning
Sauce & Cheese:
-
½ cup pizza sauce (smooth, not chunky)
-
1 cup shredded mozzarella
-
½ cup shredded Parmesan
Toppings:
-
¼ cup mini pepperoni
-
Optional: diced bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, black olives
Dippers:
-
Toasted baguette slices, breadsticks, tortilla chips, or fresh veggie sticks
Instructions
-
Preheat & Prep:
-
Oven to 375°F (190°C).
-
Choose an 8-inch pie plate, small cast-iron skillet, or 1-quart baking dish. No need to grease.
-
-
Cream Cheese Layer:
-
Mix softened cream cheese with Italian seasoning until smooth.
-
Spread evenly in the bottom of your baking dish.
-
-
Add Sauce & Cheese:
-
Spoon pizza sauce over the cream cheese layer.
-
Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top.
-
-
Top It Off:
-
Scatter mini pepperoni and any optional veggies evenly.
-
-
Bake:
-
Bake for ~20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
-
Optional: Broil 2-3 minutes for a golden, crispy top—watch closely!
-
-
Serve:
-
Serve hot with your choice of dippers. Ideal when cheese is stretchy and gooey.
-
Notes
-
Make Ahead: Assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours; add 5–10 minutes to bake time from cold.
-
Prevent Oiliness: Drain veggies and use mini pepperoni to reduce excess grease. Blot if needed.
-
Reheat: Microwave individual portions or reheat covered in oven at 350°F for 10–15 min.