Baked Pepperoni Pizza Dip
Make your next party a hit with baked pizza dip! Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with delicious pizza flavors, this dip is a crowd pleaser!
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This baked pepperoni pizza dip is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. With layers of cream cheese, pizza sauce, melted cheese, and all your favorite toppings, it’s everything you love about pizza in a warm, scoopable dip. Just pop it in the oven and serve it bubbling hot with chips, crackers, or slices of focaccia.
It’s perfect for game days, family movie nights, or anytime you want a comforting, cheesy snack to share. Plus, it’s easy to customize—throw in your favorite toppings or keep it simple and classic. Either way, it disappears fast!
What You’ll Like About This Recipe
- All the pizza flavor, no dough. You get layers of creamy cheese, zesty sauce, and classic toppings in a shareable baked dip, without having to fuss with pizza dough or shaping crusts.
- Simple layered prep. The dip is built in a single pie dish—just press in the cream cheese, add your toppings in order, and bake until hot and melty.
- Easy to customize. You can keep it classic with pepperoni and olives or turn it into your favorite combo with mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, or cooked sausage.
- Perfect party appetizer. It comes to the table hot and bubbly and stays scoopable as it cools, making it ideal for serving with a variety of dippers.
- Kid- and adult-friendly. The familiar pizza flavors appeal to kids, while the warm, gooey dip and salty olives and pepperoni keep grown-ups coming back for seconds.
Ingredient Notes
- Cream cheese – Softened cream cheese forms the base layer and gives the dip a rich, creamy foundation. It helps anchor the toppings and creates a “sauce” that’s easy to scoop with chips or bread.
- Pizza sauce – A jar of pizza sauce adds tomato flavor, herbs, and a bit of sweetness. Choose a brand you enjoy on pizza, or use marinara sauce if that’s what you have on hand.
- Onion – A small amount of chopped onion adds a savory bite and a bit of texture under the cheese. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can use finely chopped green onions instead.
- Mozzarella cheese – Shredded mozzarella (or a pizza cheese blend) melts beautifully and gives the dip that stretchy, gooey “pizza cheese” pull. A low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella works best for clean, melty slices.
- Black olives – Sliced black olives bring a salty, briny note and a classic pizzeria flavor. They also add contrast in color against the cheese and pepperoni.
- Pepperoni – Sliced pepperoni delivers bold, familiar pizza flavor. Mini pepperoni works especially well in a dip because it spreads out more evenly, but regular slices cut into halves or quarters are great too.
How to Make It
- Preheat the oven and lightly grease a 9-inch glass pie plate or similar shallow baking dish.
- Press the softened cream cheese evenly over the bottom of the dish, smoothing it into a level layer.
- Spread the pizza sauce over the cream cheese, covering it completely to the edges.
- Sprinkle the chopped onion evenly over the sauce.
- Add the shredded mozzarella or pizza cheese blend in an even layer on top.
- Scatter the sliced black olives over the cheese.
- Arrange the pepperoni over the top, distributing it so each scoop will get some pepperoni.
- Bake until the dip is hot, bubbly around the edges, and the cheese is melted and lightly browned in spots.
- Let the dish stand briefly before serving so the layers can settle and the dip is easier to scoop.
Pro Tips
- Soften the cream cheese to room temperature so it spreads easily in an even layer without tearing or clumping.
- Press the cream cheese gently but firmly into the dish, making sure to cover the entire bottom; gaps can cause the sauce to seep underneath and make scooping uneven.
- Drain olives and any extra liquid from toppings well so the dip doesn’t get watery as it bakes.
- Layer the cheese above the onions and below the olives and pepperoni so it melts smoothly and helps hold the toppings in place.
- Watch the dip near the end of baking; if the pepperoni or cheese starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent the dish with foil.
- Serve the dip hot but not scorching, giving it a few minutes to cool so guests don’t burn their mouths and the cheese has time to set slightly.
Recipe Variations
- Supreme pizza dip. Add finely chopped bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, and a few sliced green olives along with the onions and black olives for a fully loaded “supreme” style dip.
- Meat lover’s pizza dip. Sprinkle cooked, crumbled Italian sausage or cooked bacon over the cheese along with the pepperoni for an extra hearty, meaty version.
- Vegetarian pizza dip. Skip the pepperoni and pile on vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, black and green olives, and spinach. A sprinkle of Parmesan on top adds extra flavor.
- Spicy pepperoni dip. Use spicy pepperoni, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the pizza sauce, or drizzle a little hot sauce over the top before baking for extra kick.
- Four-cheese pizza dip. Combine mozzarella with shredded provolone, Parmesan, and a little fontina or Italian blend cheese for a richer, more complex cheese layer.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with crackers, pita chips, or toasted baguette slices.
- Pair with a veggie tray for a fun contrast in textures.
- Add to your appetizer spread for game day, movie night, or potlucks.
- Spoon leftovers into a baked potato or sandwich for a quick lunch.
How to Store
- Refrigerate – Let the dip cool to room temperature, then cover the dish tightly or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. The layers will firm up, but the flavors continue to develop.
- Reheat – Warm portions in the oven at a low temperature until hot and melty again, or reheat individual servings in the microwave in short intervals, stirring gently as needed. If the top looks dry, add a light sprinkle of extra cheese before reheating.
- Avoid freezing – Cream cheese–based dips don’t freeze well; the texture can become grainy or watery once thawed. For best results, enjoy this dip freshly baked or from refrigerated leftovers only.
Baked Pepperoni Pizza Dip
Layers of delicious pizza flavors make up this cheesy bake pepperoni pizza dip. Customize it with some of your favorite toppings!
Recipe Resources
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 14-ounce jar pizza sauce
- 1/3 cup onion, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, or a pizza cheese blend
- 1 6-ounce can sliced black olives, drained
- 2 ounces pepperoni, sliced, regular or mini
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F.
- Press the cream cheese in the bottom of a 9-inch glass pie plate.
- In order, spread the pizza sauce, chopped onion, shredded cheese, black olives, and pepperoni over the cream cheese layer.
- Bake the pizza dip for 20 to 25 minutes until hot and bubbly.
Nutrition
Calories: 216kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 8gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 348mgPotassium: 83mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 523IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 136mgIron: 0.2mg
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
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