Description
Pepperoni and cream cheese pizza dip merges classic Italian-American flavors in one irresistible appetizer. Creamy, cheesy layers combine with zesty pepperoni, creating a crowd-pleasing starter you’ll want to dive into with crispy bread or crackers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (170 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (85 g) pepperoni, sliced
- 1 cup (240 ml) marinara or pizza sauce
- ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Breadsticks
- Crackers
- Tortilla chips
- Sliced baguette
- Chopped fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
- Mixture Preparation: Whisk cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning into a smooth, homogeneous blend, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Dip Assembly: Spread the creamy mixture evenly across the bottom of a baking dish, creating a uniform base for subsequent layers.
- Pepperoni Layering: Artfully arrange pepperoni slices in an overlapping pattern, covering the entire cream cheese foundation to maximize flavor distribution.
- Cheese Topping: Generously scatter mozzarella cheese over the pepperoni, allowing it to create a tempting, potential for golden, melty coverage.
- Baking Process: Position the assembled dip in a preheated oven at 375°F, centered on the middle rack for consistent heat penetration and thorough cooking.
- Finishing Touch: Bake until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden landscape with slightly crisp edges, approximately 15-20 minutes, signaling perfect doneness.
- Serving Presentation: Allow the dip to rest for 3-5 minutes post-baking, enabling flavors to meld and intensity to settle before serving with toasted bread, crackers, or tortilla chips for optimal dipping experience.
Notes
- Select High-Fat Cream Cheese: Choose full-fat cream cheese for a richer, more luxurious texture that melts smoothly and provides maximum flavor intensity.
- Prevent Pepperoni Greasiness: Lightly pat pepperoni slices with paper towels to remove excess oil, ensuring the dip remains creamy without becoming overly greasy.
- Layer Strategically for Optimal Taste: Spread cream cheese mixture evenly and create a tight pepperoni arrangement to guarantee consistent flavor in every bite.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap regular ingredients with low-fat cream cheese, turkey pepperoni, or dairy-free alternatives to accommodate specific dietary restrictions while maintaining delicious taste profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg