Description
This delicious and comforting Pizza Dip is perfect for sharing at parties or game days. It features a creamy layer of seasoned cream cheese topped with tangy pizza sauce, melted mozzarella cheese, and classic pizza toppings like bell peppers, mushrooms, and pepperoni. Served warm with homemade garlic bread slices, this dip captures all the flavors of a traditional pizza in a fun, shareable dish.
Ingredients
Dip
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley or basil
- 1 small clove garlic, finely grated
- 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 3/4 cup pizza sauce (or plain tomato sauce with 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning)
- 1/3 cup chopped bell pepper
- 4 sliced mushrooms
- 8 slices pepperoni, halved or quartered
Garlic Bread
- 1 fairly soft baguette, sliced
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, finely grated
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9 1/2-inch deep dish pie plate or a similar sized casserole dish to prevent sticking and set it aside.
- Make the Cream Cheese Base: Using a hand mixer, stand mixer with paddle attachment, or simply a rubber spatula, beat together the softened cream cheese, minced fresh parsley or basil, finely grated garlic clove, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese until smooth and well combined. Spread this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pie dish.
- Layer the Toppings: Pour the pizza sauce evenly over the cream cheese mixture. Next, sprinkle half of the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Top this with half of the chopped bell pepper, sliced mushrooms, and pepperoni pieces. Add the remaining shredded cheese, then finish with the rest of the toppings evenly distributed on top. At this stage, you can either bake immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 4 hours before baking.
- Bake the Dip: Place the dish in the preheated oven uncovered and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the dip is bubbly and heated through.
- Prepare the Garlic Bread: While the dip bakes, combine the extra virgin olive oil and the finely grated garlic clove in a small bowl. Arrange the baguette slices in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Brush the top side of each slice generously with the garlic olive oil mixture, then sprinkle lightly with salt.
- Bake the Garlic Bread: Bake the prepared baguette slices in the oven at 400°F for 6 to 8 minutes, or until they become toasted and golden brown. Avoid flipping the slices to prevent the garlic from burning.
- Serve: Remove the pizza dip and garlic bread from the oven. Serve the hot, bubbly dip immediately with the warm garlic bread for dipping and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute fresh herbs like parsley or basil with dried Italian seasoning if fresh herbs are unavailable.
- Feel free to customize the toppings with your favorite pizza ingredients such as olives, onions, or sausage.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, omit the pepperoni.
- The dip can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 4 hours before baking, making it great for entertaining.
- For a spicier kick, add crushed red pepper flakes to the cream cheese mixture or sprinkle on top before baking.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened for easier mixing and a smoother base.
