Description

This Pizza Dip is a creamy, cheesy appetizer perfect for pizza lovers. It combines softened cream cheese and sour cream with classic Italian herbs and a generous layer of marinara sauce, Parmesan, mozzarella, and pepperoni. Baked until bubbly and golden, it's served warm with crusty bread or chips for dipping, making it an irresistible crowd-pleaser at parties or game day.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Mixture

8 oz. cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon dried garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Toppings

1 cup marinara sauce
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
1 1/4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
15 slices pepperoni

For Serving

Crusty bread, for serving

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the dip.
Mix the Base: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, dried garlic powder, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Ensure the sour cream is not cold to maintain a smooth texture when baked.
Assemble the Dip: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly at the bottom of a 9-inch pie pan, baking dish, or cast iron skillet.
Add Sauce and Cheese: Evenly spread 1 cup of marinara sauce over the cream cheese layer, then sprinkle with Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheese.
Top with Pepperoni: Arrange 15 slices of pepperoni or your choice of pizza toppings on top of the cheese layer.
Bake the Dip: Place the dish uncovered in the oven and bake for 30 minutes until the top starts to brown and the cheese is bubbly.
Garnish and Serve: Optionally garnish with additional red pepper flakes, freshly ground black pepper, and chopped parsley. Serve warm with crusty bread, pita chips, tortilla chips, bagel chips, or vegetables for dipping.

Notes

Make-Ahead Method: Prepare the dip as instructed and refrigerate covered for up to 3 days before baking. Let it sit at room temperature for 20-25 minutes before baking.
Grate Parmesan and shred mozzarella fresh from blocks for better flavor and texture.
Use quality marinara sauce like Rao’s or homemade sauce for best results.
Additional toppings such as sausage, mushrooms, olives, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, beef, ham, pineapple, or feta cheese can be added.
Sour cream can be substituted with mayo, plain Greek yogurt, or cottage cheese.
Serve with crusty bread like a no-knead bread that is crusty on the outside and airy inside.
Try this recipe alongside other dips like Spinach and Artichoke or Jalapeno Popper dip for variety.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 4 g
Sodium: 570 mg
Fat: 25 g
Saturated Fat: 12 g
Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 10 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 11 g
Cholesterol: 45 mg