Make this warm, cheesy pizza dip with a cream cheese base. It is a simple, crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for game day or parties.
Author:kate
Prep Time:10 min
Cook Time:20 min
Total Time:30 min
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Appetizer
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
Optional: Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease an 8-inch pie dish or small oven-safe skillet.
In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Mix until smooth and fully combined.
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
Spoon the pizza sauce over the cream cheese layer. Spread it gently to cover the base.
Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce layer.
Arrange the sliced pepperoni pieces on top of the mozzarella cheese.
Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the dip is hot throughout and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let the dip cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil, if desired.
Serve warm with bagel chips, crusty bread, or vegetable sticks for dipping.
Notes
For a slow cooker version, combine all ingredients except the pepperoni in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 2 hours or high for 1 hour. Stir, top with pepperoni, and cook for another 15 minutes until hot.
You can substitute the pepperoni with cooked crumbled sausage or cooked ground beef for variety.
If you prefer a tangier flavor, use 1/4 cup of cream cheese and 1/4 cup of cream cheese spread.