Pepperoni Dip: Ever crave the pizza toppings without the crust? If so, you have to try this ooey-gooey pepperoni pizza dip recipe.
Usually served as an appetizer, this is made with three kinds of cheese, pizza sauce, and pepperoni, it is simple as can be while also being one of the most delicious cheesy dips you will ever try.
Who doesn’t love pizza recipes? We’ve grown quite fond of these Texas Toast Pizzas, and these French Bread Pizzas too.
Obsessed with delicious dips? If the answer is yes, you have to try this Jalapeno Artichoke Dip and this Cowboy Queso Dip. But if you don’t have this buffalo chicken dip recipe saved anywhere, you’ll want to have that as a staple for all of your parties!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It uses easy ingredients: You will easily be able to find all of the ingredients for this recipe. No special stores are required!
- Make-ahead recipe: Easily prep this recipe ahead of time and then pop into the oven right before serving.
- Ready in only 30 minutes: Talk about a quick and easy snack idea! From start to finish, this recipe takes 30 minutes. You can also make these bagel pizzas in a flash with similar ingredients!
Ingredients Needed
I’ve highlighted a couple of ingredients below with some relevant notes. Aside from this, the ingredients needed are pretty basic.
- Sour Cream – I used regular sour cream for this recipe.
- Cream Cheese – Make sure your cream cheese is softened.
- Pizza Sauce – Feel free to use store-bought pizza sauce or make your own.
- Fresh Basil – I highly suggest fresh basil for this yummy dip recipe.
Substitutions
Sometimes substitutions are necessary because of ingredients that are unavailable or needed for dietary restrictions. Here are some suggestions that can help:
- Sour Cream – If you’d like to add a bit more protein to this recipe, use plain Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream. Use equal measurements.
- Cheeses – If you are going for a Dairy-Free dip, opt for your favorite dairy-free cheeses (and sour cream).
- Pepperoni – Feel free to use your favorite pizza meat variety for this recipe. Turkey pepperoni would be a healthier option!
- Red Pepper Flakes – If you are not a spicy person, or you’re cooking for kids, feel free to leave these out.
Variations
There are a few variations you can make with this cheesy pepperoni dip. Here are some ideas
- Meats – Feel free to change up the meats in this recipe. Go for mini pepperoni for some more fun, or use salami, ground pork, or even bacon!
- Veggies – Bell peppers, like green peppers, would be a great addition to this easy pepperoni dip recipe. Roasted red peppers or olives would also be tasty, but you could easily mix in any of your favorite pizza toppings.
- Dippers – While we suggest baguette slices for dipping, you could also use tortilla chips, bagel chips, pita chips, or corn chips.
- Kick up the flavor – Feel free to add in some more flavor to this simple dip with some Italian seasoning, garlic powder or onion powder.
- Spice it up – Turn this cheesy pepperoni dip into a hot pizza dip by adding in some of your favorite hot sauce (I think some Aardvark sauce would be delicious!). Turning this into a hot pepperoni dip recipe would be the perfect appetizer for football season game day, a dinner party, or movie night.
- White pizza dip – Not a fan of marinara sauce? Opt for some Alfredo or Garlic Parmesan sauce for a yummy white cheesy pizza dip.
How to Make Pepperoni Dip in the Crockpot
While no equipment is required for this version of a pepperoni dip recipe, you could easily swap this into a slow cooker pizza dip. In that case, you would need a slow cooker. All you would need to change is your cooking time when making this into a slow cooker pizza dip. Instead of the 25 minutes in the oven, shoot for 2 hours in the slow cooker on low. After the 2 hours, flip on the warm setting and leave it at that.
How to Make Easy Pepperoni Dip in the Oven
Making this easy-baked pepperoni dip is super simple. All you need to do is make the cheese mixture, layer it in your baking dish, top it with the pizza sauce, sprinkle on some cheese, lay on your pepperoni, and bake!
I suggest baking this recipe right before you intend to serve it. You can prepare ahead of time, but stick it in the oven about 30-40 minutes before you plan to serve.
*Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions!*
Begin this recipe by preheating your oven to 350°F.
STEP 1. Make cheese mixture. Combine 1 block of softened cream cheese, 1 cup of sour cream, ¾ cup of mozzarella cheese, ¼ cup of grated parmesan cheese, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended. (Image 1).
Tip: Make sure your cream cheese has come to room temperature prior to making this recipe. If you didn’t prepare ahead of time, simply unwrap the cream cheese and stick it in a microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave in 13-second increments, turning the bowl ½ turn clockwise each time, 3 times in the microwave. That should soften the cream cheese. If not, keep going in 10-13 second intervals, turning the bowl each time, until soft enough to whip.
STEP 2. Layer. Spread this cream cheese mixture in the bottom of a medium baking dish or an 8-inch cast-iron skillet. Pour 1 cup pizza sauce evenly over the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup mozzarella and ¼ cup parmesan cheese over the pizza sauce. Add pepperoni as the next layer. (Image 2-4).
STEP 3. Bake. Bake the dip in the preheated oven for about 20 – 25 minutes or until it’s bubbling and the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden.
STEP 4. Garnish. If you like, garnish the pizza dip with fresh basil leaves before serving.
STEP 5. Serve. Serve hot with sliced baguette, tortilla chips, or garlic bread. ENJOY!
Recipe Pro Tips
- Allow to fully cool. Making sure that you allow the cake to completely cool before frosting is key or the frosting won’t turn out the way that it should.
- Correct temperature. Butter, eggs, and cream are the key ingredients that should be at room temperature before making this recipe.
Recipe FAQs
While we suggest baguette slices for dipping, you could also use tortilla chips, bagel chips, or corn chips.
Yes, you can easily make this pizza dip recipe without cream cheese. Ricotta cheese would be a good alternative!
Absolutely! I suggest freezing this recipe before baking. Simply store in an air-tight container in the freezer and pull out to bake when ready. Start with the recommended time of 25 minutes and go from there. It’ll likely take 10-15 extra minutes from frozen.
What to Serve with Pepperoni Dip
Pepperoni dip would be so good with so many things. From fresh Italian bread or rolls to even pizza itself (like these Texas Toast Pizzas). Or better yet, dipping this pizza monkey bread in to it would be the ultimate pizza treat!
Storage
Allow the pizza dip to cool to room temperature before storing it. Placing hot dip directly in the refrigerator can lead to condensation, which can affect the texture and flavor. Scoop the remaining pizza dip into an airtight container. Glass or plastic containers with well-fitting lids work well. Store for 3 – 4 days.
More Dip Recipes You’ll Love
If you love dips, then you’re also going to love these easy dip recipes that are perfect for any party idea:
Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!
Recipe
Pepperoni Dip
Ingredients
- 1 block cream cheese, softened 8 oz
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup ¾ + ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- ½ cup ¼ + ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese (divided)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes adjust to your preferred level of spiciness
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- ½ cup sliced pepperoni
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish optional
- Sliced baguette tortilla chips, or garlic bread for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Combine 1 block of softened cream cheese, 1 cup of sour cream, ¾ cup of mozzarella cheese, ¼ cup of grated parmesan cheese, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Spread this cream cheese mixture in the bottom of a medium baking dish or an 8-inch cast-iron skillet. Pour 1 cup pizza sauce evenly over the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup mozzarella and ¼ cup parmesan cheese over the pizza sauce. Add pepperoni as the next layer.
- Bake the dip in the preheated oven for about 20 – 25 minutes or until it’s bubbling and the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden.
- If you like, garnish the pizza dip with fresh basil leaves before serving.
- Serve hot with sliced baguette, tortilla chips, or garlic bread. ENJOY!
Notes
- An 8-inch cast iron skillet or a similarly sized skillet or baking dish works well.
- Customize this pizza dip with your favorite pizza toppings, such as cooked sausage, sliced onions, or jalapeños for extra heat.
- It’s a great appetizer for game days, parties, or any casual gathering where you want to enjoy pizza flavors in a dip format.
- You can prepare the pizza dip in advance and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake it. This makes it a convenient option for parties.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Sha says
This is so cheesy and delicious! Can’t get enough of this pepperoni dip!
Toni says
This is such a fun dip! Perfect for entertaining for the holidays!
Rae says
This is simple and easy, it’s quick to make yet impressively good. Used what i had in the fridge. Ham and pepperoni. Love the marinara sauce and of course the cheese! Definitely a must try if you are a pizza lover.