Description
A warm, cheesy, and flavorful baked pizza dip that combines creamy cream cheese, gooey mozzarella, tangy marinara sauce, and classic pizza toppings like pepperoni and Parmesan. Perfect for parties, game days, or a cozy snack, this dip is easy to prepare, customizable, and deliciously satisfying served with your favorite dippers.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 20–25 pepperoni slices
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Optional Vegetables
- Diced bell peppers
- Olives
Optional Variations
- Cooked sausage or bacon bits for meat lovers
- Mushrooms, spinach, or artichokes for vegetarian version
- Crushed red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños for a spicy twist
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Start by softening the cream cheese in a mixing bowl until it’s smooth and free of lumps, then stir in the Italian seasoning and garlic powder to build a flavorful base.
- Layer the flavors: Spread half of the cream cheese mixture evenly in your baking dish, followed by a generous layer of marinara sauce, half of the shredded mozzarella, and pepperoni slices.
- Repeat and top it off: Repeat with the remaining cream cheese mixture and top everything off with the rest of the mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and more pepperoni or your chosen toppings.
- Bake: Place the dish in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle fresh basil or parsley on top before serving with your favorite dippers like breadsticks, chips, or fresh veggies.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese to ensure a smooth, lump-free dip.
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley add brightness and color when added just before serving.
- Don’t skip the marinara sauce as it adds moisture, tanginess, and authentic pizza flavor.
- Choose a shallow baking dish to help the dip bake evenly and develop a perfect melted cheese layer on top.
- Try mixing mozzarella with provolone or fontina for added flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the dip
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: baked pizza dip, cheesy dip, party appetizer, pizza flavors, pizza dip