Description
This easy Baked Pizza Dip is a creamy, cheesy appetizer perfect for game nights and gatherings. Featuring a blend of cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, and tangy pizza sauce with Italian herbs and optional meat or veggies, it delivers all the best flavors of pizza in a warm, shareable dip that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheeses and Dairy
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pizza Flavor Base
- 3/4 cup pizza sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (oregano, basil blend)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Meats and Veggies (Optional)
- 1/2 cup chopped pepperoni or cooked sausage
- Or extra veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives for vegetarian version
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Soften the cream cheese to room temperature, grate mozzarella and Parmesan, and chop any meats or vegetables you plan to use. This preparation makes mixing easier.
- Mix the Base: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese and pizza sauce until smooth. Stir in mozzarella, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Fold in your chosen meats or veggies evenly throughout the mixture.
- Transfer to a Baking Dish: Spread the mixture evenly into a small baking dish or oven-safe skillet. Ensure the surface is relatively flat for even melting and browning.
- Bake Until Bubbling: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden on top. Watch carefully to prevent burning the edges.
- Serve Warm and Enjoy: Allow the dip to cool slightly to thicken before serving. Serve immediately with your favorite dippers—chips, bread, or veggies.
Notes
- Soften the cream cheese well to avoid lumps and ensure smooth mixing.
- Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded for better melting quality.
- Don’t skip the Italian seasoning and herbs to enhance the pizza flavor.
- Monitor baking time closely; bake only until bubbly to avoid drying out.
- Feel free to experiment with different meats like pepperoni, sausage, or bacon.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: Baked Pizza Dip, Pizza Dip, Game Night Dip, Cheesy Dip, Party Appetizer, Gluten-Free Appetizer