Description
Warm, cheesy Pizza Dip layered with seasoned cream cheese, sour cream, marinara sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan, and pepperoni. This easy baked appetizer is perfect for parties, game day, holidays, and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 15 pepperoni slices
- Extra crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- Fresh chopped parsley, optional
- Crusty bread, pita chips, tortilla chips, bagel chips, or fresh vegetables, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Mix the softened cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, oregano, basil, and crushed red pepper flakes in a medium bowl until smooth.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly into a 9-inch pie dish, baking dish, or cast-iron skillet.
- Spoon the marinara sauce evenly over the cream cheese layer.
- Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the sauce, followed by the shredded mozzarella.
- Arrange the pepperoni slices evenly over the cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until the cheese melts and the top becomes lightly golden with bubbling edges.
- Remove the dip from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- Garnish with extra crushed red pepper flakes, black pepper, or chopped parsley if desired.
- Serve warm with crusty bread, pita chips, tortilla chips, bagel chips, or fresh vegetables.
Notes
- For the smoothest texture, soften the cream cheese completely and let the sour cream sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes.
- Freshly shredded mozzarella melts better than pre-shredded cheese.
- Freshly grated Parmesan gives the dip a richer flavor.
- Customize the topping with cooked sausage, mushrooms, olives, bell peppers, onions, cooked ground beef, ham, pineapple, spinach, feta, or jalapeños.
- To make ahead, assemble the dip, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 3 days.
- Before baking a refrigerated dip, let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm larger portions in a 350°F oven until heated through.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 238
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 515
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Unsaturated Fat: 9
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 65