By Becky Hardin
Published Aug 14, 2023
This easy Pizza Dip recipe is made with cream cheese, marinara, pepperonis, and just a few other ingredients are layered into a casserole dish. It’s baked in the oven for a deliciously hot and cheesy dip that everyone will love. Serve it on game day, or any time you need a crowd-pleasing appetizer!
What’s in This Pizza Dip Recipe?
Cream cheese, shredded cheese, marinara sauce, and pepperoni come together to make this creamy, cheesy dip that tastes like a hot slice of pizza ! This is one of our favorite party dips to serve a crowd.
- Cream Cheese: Forms the base of our dip, making it creamy and rich. Use full-fat, brick-style cream cheese for the best results.
- Cheese: We use a mixture of mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheese to make this dip ultra-cheesy! Feel free to swap in your favorite cheeses.
- Italian Seasoning : Adds classic Italian flavor to this easy dip.
- Black Pepper: Adds just a hint of spice.
- Marinara Sauce : This is layered into the dip to get that real pizza taste!
- Pepperoni: We like to use mini pepperonis because they’re bite-sized, but you can also chop up regular-sized pepperoni into quarters.
Variations on Pepperoni Pizza Dip
There are so many ways to modify this dip to your liking. Try swapping out any of the cheeses for pepper jack, Colby, Swiss, fontina, muenster, provolone, or gouda. Swap marinara sauce for alfredo sauce for a white pizza dip or try pesto .
Leave out the pepperoni for a cheese pizza dip, or add extra toppings to mimic your favorite slice. Mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, cooked sausage, crumbled bacon, or diced onion would all be delicious! Just be sure to cook down any ingredients that contain a lot of water so they don’t make the dip watery.
How to Make Ahead
You can fully assemble this dip up through step 4 and refrigerate it until ready to bake. We recommend baking just before serving.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover pizza dip tightly covered in plastic wrap or aluminum foil in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven for 20-30 minutes, or until warmed through. We do not recommend freezing this dip.
This cream cheese pizza dip pairs so well with different dippers. Try crudites, tortilla chips , cubed fresh bread, crostini, bacon wrapped crackers , pita chips, or cheese straws . To really wow guests or kids, bake up fresh pizza dough to slice into dippable pieces.
Notes from the Test Kitchen
We find that this dip is best served hot. That way, the cream cheese stays scoopable, and the cheeses are melty and delicious. It will become too firm to scoop if refrigerated. This is one of our favorite Super Bowl dips !
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature (1 brick)
- ▢ 2 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- ▢ 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning store-bought or homemade
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ▢ 1 cup marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
- ▢ ½ cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- ▢ ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ▢ ¼ cup mini pepperoni
Video
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, half of the mozzarella, Italian seasoning, and pepper until combined. 8 ounces cream cheese, 2 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Transfer to a 2 quart baking dish and smooth into an even layer. Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the top. 1 cup marinara sauce
- Top with the remaining mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan cheeses. Arrange the pepperoni on top. ½ cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese, ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ cup mini pepperoni
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and browned. Serve with your favorite cubed bread, crackers, veggies, etc.
Equipment
- 8×8-inch Baking Pan
Becky’s Tips
- Use brick-style cream cheese for this dip, and make sure it has fully softened before mixing.
- For best results, shred the cheese from blocks. It melts much better than pre-shredded cheese.
- Feel free to add your favorite pizza toppings to this dip. Just be sure to cook any that have a lot of moisture so that they don’t water down the dip.
- Let cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.
- To make in a slow cooker, follow our Crockpot Pizza Dip Recipe .
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Pizza Dip Step by Step
Mix the Filling: Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, mix 8 ounces (1 brick) of room-temperature cream cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper until combined.
Cover with Marinara Sauce: Transfer to a 2-quart baking dish and smooth into an even layer. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly over the top.
Top and Bake: Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, ½ cup of shredded cheddar, and ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Arrange ¼ cup of mini pepperoni on top. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and browned. Serve with your favorite cubed bread, crackers, veggies, etc.
More Dip Recipes To Try
- Queso Dip
- Mexican Street Corn Dip
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Rotel Dip
Pizza Dip Recipe
Equipment
- 8x8-inch Baking Pan
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature (1 brick)
- 2 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning store-bought or homemade
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
- ½ cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup mini pepperoni
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, half of the mozzarella, Italian seasoning, and pepper until combined. 8 ounces cream cheese, 2 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Transfer to a 2 quart baking dish and smooth into an even layer. Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the top. 1 cup marinara sauce
- Top with the remaining mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan cheeses. Arrange the pepperoni on top. ½ cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese, ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ cup mini pepperoni
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and browned. Serve with your favorite cubed bread, crackers, veggies, etc.
Video
Notes
- Use brick-style cream cheese for this dip, and make sure it has fully softened before mixing.
- For best results, shred the cheese from blocks. It melts much better than pre-shredded cheese.
- Feel free to add your favorite pizza toppings to this dip. Just be sure to cook any that have a lot of moisture so that they don’t water down the dip.
- Let cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.
- To make in a slow cooker, follow our Crockpot Pizza Dip Recipe .
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
