This easy game day snack puts all of the cheesy goodness of a pizza into a zesty dip!
In this Pizza Dip recipe, cream cheese is seasoned and then topped with pizza sauce. It’s all crowned with your favorite toppings, and a double dose of cheese!
Prep ahead and when it’s party time, bake until browned and bubbly. Serve with torn french bread – or tortilla chips!
Why You’ll Love Pizza Dip
- This pizza dip recipe is an easy-to-make appetizer that will keep guests happy.
- This dip can be made up to 48 hours ahead of time which makes it party perfect.
- No pizza dough required (although it’s great to bake some up for dipping).
- Don’t stop with pepperoni – include your family’s favorite toppings. Mushrooms, onions, sausage, and ham would all be delicious in this creamy dip!
Ingredients for Pizza Dip
BASE
The base of this dip is extra cheesy with cream cheese and seasonings. We add mozzarella for texture and cheddar for an extra boost of flavor. Add any cheeses you like. Optional additions include: garlic (or garlic powder), red chili flakes, fresh herbs.
Pizza sauce tends to have a thicker consistency than regular pasta sauce. No pizza sauce? Crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, & seasonings can easily be made into pizza sauce.
TOPPINGS
No pizza (in my books) would be complete without a generous helping of cheese! We love mozzarella and parmesan baked until bubbly.
Add your favorite pizza toppings on top of the cheese, it helps them crisp a bit more. Try some favorite pizza additions like crumbled bacon, sausage or mushrooms, and olives. Try making a meat lovers dip a supreme pizza inspired dip.
How to Make Pizza Dip
- Mix cream cheese, spices, & some of the mozzarella. Spread into a baking dish.
- Top with pizza sauce (per the recipe below).
- Sprinkle with cheese & toppings.
- Bake until browned and bubbly!
Pizza Dip Tip: Ingredients that contain a lot of liquid (like mushrooms) should be cooked so they don’t make the dip watery. If using pineapple drain and lightly squeeze dry. Use prepared or cooked meat.
Tips for Easy Cheesy Dip
- Soften the cream cheese before mixing.
- Use a hand mixer to make a fluffy dip that’s easier to scoop.
- I like to put the pepperoni on top of the cheese so it gets crispy.
- To save time, buy pre-shredded cheese, it works well in this dip.
- Allow the dip to cool at least 5 minutes before serving.
- If adding fresh basil, add it after baking.
Pizza Inspired Snacks
- Homemade Air Fryer Pizza Rolls – freezer friendly
- Pepperoni Pizza Popcorn – a next-level snack
- Pizza Bombs – homemade pizza pockets
- Pepperoni Pizza Crescent Rolls – made with premade dough
- Pizza Bites – a perfect snack for game day
Did you make this Cheesy Pizza Dip? Inspire us with your topping creations in a comment below!
Easy Cheesy Pizza Dip
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded, divided
- ½ cup cheddar cheese shredded
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- ¼ cup fresh parmesan cheese shredded
- pepperoni slices to taste, approx ¼ cup
- tortilla chips or 1 loaf of sourdough bread cut into cubes for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix cream cheese, ¾ cup mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, oregano, & basil, and salt to taste.
- Spread into a pie pan or 2qt casserole dish. Top the cream cheese mixture with pizza sauce.
- Sprinkle remaining cheeses followed by pepperoni.
- Bake 25 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is browned.
- Cool 5 minutes before serving. Serve with tortilla chips or cubed bread.
Video
Notes
- Soften the cream cheese before mixing.
- Use a hand mixer to make a fluffy dip that's easier to scoop.
- I like to put the pepperoni on top of the cheese so it gets crispy.
- To save time, buy pre-shredded cheese, it works well in this dip.
- Allow the dip to cool at least 5 minutes before serving.
- If adding fresh basil, add it after baking.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Appetizer, Dip, Party Food
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
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This recipe first appeared on SpendWithPennies.com in January 2014. Photographs updated August 2015.
Question can rhis be transported? If so should we reheat before serving?
Yes, this can be made ahead and baked at your location or baked at home and reheated in the oven for a little bit before serving.
I made this last night for a party and it was a hit! I served in a bowl inside of a loaf of yummy sourdough bread. Used in a bowl so we could reheat if needed.
My mom has made pizza dip for years and the best cracker as a side…Sociables! It’s not the same without it but I do like the bread idea.
I haven’t tried your recipes yet but sure look forward to them. They look delicious and fun to make.
Thank you Marlene!
Is it hard to scoop out once it’s room temperature? I’ll be making at home and taking to a party. Want to make sure it’ll hold up.
The consistency shouldn’t change too much. If possible, cover it with foil while it travels and pop it in the oven for a few minutes when you arrive. Enjoy!
I have a question?????
perhaps does it call for FRESH CHEDDAR CHEESE and GRATED PAREMSAN CHEESE? i have not heard of grated cheddar cheese
•• 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
•• 1/4 cup fresh parmesan cheese
I want to make this but I’m confused.
You take your cheddar cheese (block) and grate it, then measure 1/2 cup. Or you can buy cheddar cheese already grated. For the parmesan, this refers to parmesan that you’d find in the deli or refrigerated section, not the canned type. Hope that helps April!
Hi April, I made this over the weekend for a lot of people. I bought Kraft natural cheese, sharp cheddar, finely shredded. I also used grated Parmesan cheese. You can find both of these in the cheese isle of any grocery store. The dip came out perfect and everyone loved it. I sent the link to this recipe to anyone that wanted it. Enjoy.
is this recipe gluten free
I can’t say for sure becuase I don’t follow a gluten free lifestyle. You’d need to check your ingredients to make sure they are gluten free.
Love this recipe doubled up slightly since I had more guest than I thought. It was a hit!!
So glad you enjoyed it Miata!
Does this reheat well if there are leftovers?
Yes it does.
Can I try to replace cream cheese with ricotta or marscapone cheese? If so, what if any additional modifications would need to be made to the recipe?
I have only tried this as written. If you use Ricotta or marscapone cheese, please let us know how it works out for you!
I love this dip! It is always a crowd favorite! Thank you for the recipe! Can I make it the night before and just bake it the next day?
Absolutely, this recipe is perfect made ahead of time!
Made the pepperoni pizza dip Saturday and was a hit at the party. Loved it
I’m so glad everyone loved it!
This looks so yummy! Can it just be microwaved instead of baked?
You could microwave it, but that can affect the texture and flavor of the dip! It tastes best when it’s baked :)
Can I make the cheesy pipiano dip ahead of time to serve
Yes, this recipe can be made ahead of time and heated/cooked just before serving.
The above recipe says “1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese”. So it’s plural. Is that just a typo and it just needs to be a 1/2 cup?
Thank you.
Yes it should read 1/2 cup. I’ve updated the recipe. Thank you Travis!
Could I try this way in a crock pot?
I think it would work great in a slow cooker. I would suggest cooking it on low and turning it to warm once ready. This will keep the cheese from melting/separating.
I’d like to make this for a birthday party open house I’m having. If i want to make in a 4 qt slow cooker for a crowd do you recommend I double, or even triple, the recipe?
I’d think doubling this recipe would be plenty. Have a fun party!
Has anyone tried making this in a crock pot? We have a super bowl party to go to tomorrow evening, and I was thinking bringing it in the crock pot would work a lot better…but don’t want to ruin it neither!
Made this last night for a Christmas party and every last bite was gone! Very cheesy and delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Love your reciepes
Thank you so much Gladys!
this looks wonderful I only have two questions How much does the person who put this up weigh and if it is a normal weight does she have the metabolism of a humming bird?