Description
This Easy Pizza Dip is a crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for parties or cozy nights in. Creamy layers of softened cream cheese and sour cream combined with tangy marinara sauce, topped with melted mozzarella, Parmesan, and pepperoni create a deliciously cheesy and savory dip. Baked until bubbly and golden, it’s ideal served warm with breadsticks, chips, crackers, or fresh veggie sticks.
Ingredients
Scale
Dip Base
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Pizza Layer
- 1 cup marinara sauce or pizza sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup pepperoni, sliced (or other toppings like sausage, mushrooms, or bell peppers)
Seasonings
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Garnish & Serving
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Breadsticks, tortilla chips, crackers, or veggie sticks for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the dip.
- Prepare the Dip Base: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and sour cream. Stir together until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended, forming the creamy base of the dip.
- Layer the Dip: Spread the cream cheese and sour cream mixture evenly in the bottom of a small baking dish, ideally about 9 inches square, which will hold all the layers beautifully.
- Add the Pizza Sauce: Spoon the marinara or pizza sauce over the cream cheese mixture, spreading it evenly to cover the base layer completely.
- Add Cheese and Toppings: Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese over the sauce layer. Then, add the sliced pepperoni or other preferred pizza toppings evenly on top.
- Season the Dip: Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if you want some heat) evenly across the top to enhance the flavor profile.
- Bake: Place the dip in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts thoroughly, bubbles, and turns golden brown around the edges.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the dip from the oven and optionally garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley. Serve the dip warm accompanied by breadsticks, tortilla chips, crackers, or veggie sticks for dipping.
Notes
- For a spicier dip, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add diced jalapeños as a topping.
- You can substitute pepperoni with other pizza toppings like mushrooms, cooked sausage, bell peppers, or olives to customize the dip.
- Use a non-stick or lightly greased baking dish to prevent the dip from sticking.
- Allow the dip to cool slightly before serving to avoid burns but serve it warm for the best texture and flavor.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and reheat gently in the oven or microwave before serving again.
