Description
A creamy, flavorful Easy Pizza Dip perfect for game day or casual gatherings. This baked dip layers cream cheese, mozzarella, pizza sauce, pepperoni, and bacon for a delicious appetizer that’s easy to prepare and loved by all.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Toppings
- 1 cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1¼ cup mozzarella cheese (remaining)
- 15–20 pepperoni slices or ¼ cup mini pepperoni
- 3 slices crispy cooked bacon, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the dip.
- Mix Cheese Base: Using an electric mixer, blend the softened cream cheese, ¾ cup mozzarella cheese, sour cream, dried basil, dried oregano, kosher salt, fresh ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes until smooth and creamy. Spread this mixture evenly on the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate or similar baking dish.
- Add Sauce and Toppings: Spread 1 cup of pizza sauce over the cream cheese mixture. Then sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese and the remaining mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Top with pepperoni slices and the chopped crispy bacon.
- Bake the Dip: Bake the prepared dip in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let the dip cool for 3-5 minutes. Optionally, garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil. Serve warm with toasted French bread slices, warm breadsticks, or freshly baked rolls.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes to ¼ teaspoon.
- Use mini pepperoni for easier dipping or large slices for a more substantial topping.
- You can substitute bacon with cooked sausage or omit for a vegetarian version.
- Serve immediately after baking for the best texture and flavor.
- Leftovers can be reheated gently in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: pizza dip, baked dip, easy appetizer, party food, cream cheese dip, pepperoni dip, bacon dip
