Description
This Hot Pizza Dip is a delicious, crowd-pleasing appetizer that combines creamy, cheesy layers with classic pizza flavors topped with crispy pepperoni. Perfect for parties or game day, it’s quick to prepare, warm and gooey from the microwave, and served with toasted baguette slices for dipping.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Mixture
- 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese (softened)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Dash red pepper flakes (optional)
Cheese Layers
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (divided)
Other Toppings
- 1 (12-ounce) jar pizza sauce
- 3/4 cup pepperoni (quartered)
- Green bell pepper (chopped small, optional)
- Chopped black olives (optional)
- Sausage (cooked and crumbled, optional)
- Mushrooms (chopped, optional)
For Serving
- 1 baguette (sliced, for dipping)
Instructions
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl or stand mixer, beat together the softened cream cheese with oregano, parsley, basil, garlic powder, paprika, and optional red pepper flakes until smooth and well combined. If the cream cheese is very soft, mixing by hand is also fine.
- Spread Base Layer: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly in the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate or a shallow microwave-safe dish.
- Add First Cheese Layer: Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese and half of the Parmesan cheese evenly over the cream cheese base.
- Layer Pizza Sauce: Spread the entire jar of pizza sauce evenly over the cheese layer.
- Add Second Cheese Layer: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the pizza sauce.
- Prepare Pepperoni: Quarter your pepperoni slices for easier dipping. Leave some whole for decoration if you like.
- Crisp Pepperoni: Place a paper towel on a large plate and arrange pepperoni slices in a single layer. Microwave in batches for 20-50 seconds until just starting to get crispy. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Chop Pepperoni: Chop the microwaved pepperoni quarters for easier dipping, reserving a few whole slices to decorate the dip.
- Add Pepperoni Topping: Sprinkle all the pepperoni pieces, including whole slices for decoration, over the cheese layers of the dip.
- Add Optional Toppings: If desired, add chopped green bell pepper, black olives, cooked sausage, and mushrooms over the dip according to your taste preferences.
- Microwave the Dip: Cover the pie plate with a plastic microwave-safe cover or microwave-safe wrap and microwave on high for 5 minutes until hot and bubbly.
- Toast Baguette Slices: While the dip is heating, preheat your oven broiler to high and move the rack to the top position. Arrange baguette slices in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. Broil for 1-2 minutes on one side, then flip and broil another 1-2 minutes until golden and toasted, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Serve the hot pizza dip immediately with the toasted baguette slices, using a spoon to scoop the dip onto the bread. The dip can be reheated in the microwave if it cools down during serving.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to make mixing easier.
- Watch the pepperoni carefully when microwaving to prevent it from becoming too crispy or burnt.
- The broiler works very quickly – keep an eye and set a timer when toasting the bread to avoid burning.
- Feel free to customize the toppings to your liking with your favorite pizza ingredients.
- This dip reheats well, so you can keep it warm by microwaving as needed during your party.
