Our delicious Pizza Dip recipe is loaded with melty cheese, meaty pepperoni, and a layer of tangy pizza sauce baked to bubbly perfection. It’s the perfect appetizer for holiday gatherings, a birthday bash, or your next Super Bowl party, and it’s made with simple ingredients you may already have on hand.
Tastes like pizza, disappears like magic.
I first tasted a version of this cheesy Pizza Dip years ago at a game day, and I knew right away I had to make it my own. It reminded me of that extra saucy cheese that falls out of lasagna (my favorite part), and I wanted to build a fun dip around that moment.
The cream cheese gives you a smooth, rich base, layered with tangy pizza sauce and a blanket of mozzarella that melts just right. Then you’ve got those little pepperoni cups on top, crisped up to perfection.
It’s everything you love about pizza, made for dipping.
We don’t just save this for special occasions; it’s made plenty of appearances as a side dish for pasta night and even Sunday dinners.
It keeps the kids happy while they wait for dinner, and let’s be honest, the adults aren’t complaining either.
Scoop it up with our Artisan Bread or homemade Pita Bread and savor every cheesy, saucy, dip-worthy bite.
And if you’re looking for more crowd-pleasing dips, check out our Crab Rangoon and Smoked Queso recipes.
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Ingredients
Gather the ingredients to prepare our Pizza Dip recipe. Culinary professionals call this the “Mise en Place,” which means “everything in its Place.”
Setting up your ingredients not only helps speed up the cooking process but also ensures you have all the necessary ingredients on hand to make the recipe.
Can I Make Adjustments to the Recipe?
Absolutely. Just like real pizza, this dip’s easy to make your own.
We made it with mini pepperoni, but you can use regular slices or chopped salami if that’s what you’ve got.
Going meatless? Skip the pepperoni or toss in some black olives, green peppers, or sautéed mushrooms instead.
If you want more flavor, try swapping some of the cream cheese for sour cream or adding a little ranch seasoning for a tangy boost.
Sometimes I’ll sneak in a little Italian sausage or some ground beef if I’ve got them handy. Just make sure to drain the fat first so the dip doesn’t get greasy.
If you like a little kick, stir red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños into the sauce layer. You could even drizzle a bit of hot sauce on top.
For a fresh pop at the end, sprinkle on some chopped basil or parsley right before serving.
How to Make Pizza Dip
Follow along with my simple step-by-step instructions to learn how to make Pizza dip in your home kitchen.
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Add the softened cream cheese, half of the mozzarella cheese, and pizza sauce to a large bowl.
Mix the ingredients until well combined.
Add the oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt, and Romano cheese to the cream cheese mixture.
Mix the ingredients to combine thoroughly.
Place the mixture into a lightly greased baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top of the mixture.
Add the pepperoni cups on top of the cheese and arrange them in a single layer, leaving a little room between each.
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and cook for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and the cheese has melted.
Remove the pizza dip from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
For your next gathering, why not try creating a Pizza Dip station?
Split the dip into a few loaf pans: one for a classic pepperoni pizza dip, one loaded with veggies, and a build-your-own pan with extras on the side so everyone can have fun making it with their own favorite pizza toppings.
After one bite, they’ll be swapping spoons and trading ideas for the next round!
How to Store and Reheat
To store leftover Pizza Dip, let it cool to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To reheat, warm it in a 350°F oven until bubbly and hot in the center, or microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between.
You can also freeze it for up to 2 months, then thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can prep the whole dip in advance and keep it covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to serve, just pop it in the oven and bake as usual. It holds up beautifully and tastes just as good.
You sure can. Marinara and pasta sauce both work well, but I recommend adding a little extra oregano or basil to boost the flavor.
Absolutely. In a slow cooker, set it on low for about 2 hours. If you’re cooking on the stovetop, use a saucepan over medium heat until it’s hot and bubbly. Both work great if your oven’s already full.
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Pizza Dip Recipe
Our easy-to-make Pizza Dip Recipe is loaded with melty cheese, pepperoni, and tangy sauce, making it perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients
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Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
Add the softened cream cheese, half of the mozzarella cheese, and pizza sauce to a large bowl.
Using a rubber spatula or slotted spoon, mix the ingredients.
Add the oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt, and Romano cheese to the cream cheese mixture.
Mix the ingredients to combine.
Place the mixture into a lightly greased baking dish or casserole dish
Spread the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top of the mixture.
Add the pepperoni cups on top of the cheese and dip in a single layer, leaving a little room in between.
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and cook for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and the cheese has melted.
Remove from the oven and allow the pizza dip to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with chopped pepperoni and fresh basil or parsley.
Serve this with sliced Italian bread, tortilla chips, or your favorite crusty bread.
Notes
Absolutely. Just like real pizza, this dip’s easy to make your own.
We made it with mini pepperoni, but you can use regular slices or chopped salami if that’s what you’ve got.
Going meatless? Skip the pepperoni or toss in some black olives, green peppers, or sautéed mushrooms instead.
If you want more flavor, try swapping some of the cream cheese for sour cream or adding a little ranch seasoning for a tangy boost.
Sometimes I’ll sneak in a little Italian sausage or some ground beef if I’ve got them handy. Just make sure to drain the fat first so the dip doesn’t get greasy.
If you like a little kick, stir red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños into the sauce layer. You could even drizzle a bit of hot sauce on top.
For a fresh pop at the end, sprinkle on some chopped basil or parsley right before serving.
How to Store and Reheat
To store leftover Pizza Dip, let it cool to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To reheat, warm it in a 350°F oven until bubbly and hot in the center, or microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between.
You can also freeze it for up to 2 months, then thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Can I make Pizza Dip ahead of time and bake it later?
Yes, you can prep the whole dip in advance and keep it covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to serve, just pop it in the oven and bake as usual. It holds up beautifully and tastes just as good.
Can I use marinara sauce or pasta sauce instead of pizza sauce?
You sure can. Marinara and pasta sauce both work well, but I recommend adding a little extra oregano or basil to boost the flavor.
Can I make this in a slow cooker or on the stovetop?
Absolutely. In a slow cooker, set it on low for about 2 hours. If you’re cooking on the stovetop, use a saucepan over medium heat until it’s hot and bubbly. Both work great if your oven’s already full.
Nutrition
Calories: 232kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 9gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 59mgSodium: 672mgPotassium: 182mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 726IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 184mgIron: 1mg
