Packed with flavorful ingredients like pepperoni, Italian sausage, and gooey melted cheese, this easy Pizza Dip is perfect for any gathering or game night. With just a handful of simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can whip up a delicious, cheesy dip that will have everyone reaching for seconds!
If you're a fan of pizza, then you know that the combination of flavors found in a classic slice can't be beat! The tangy marinara sauce, the savory pepperoni, and the melted cheese all come together to create a taste that's hard to resist. That's why transforming these pizza flavors into a dip like in this easy pizza dip recipe is a fantastic idea. You get all the flavors you love in an even more indulgent and shareable form that's great for any occasion!
The best part about this appetizer is that it uses just a handful of simple ingredients that you can easily find at any grocery store. From ricotta cheese, garlic, and Italian seasoning, everything comes together easily. Mild Italian sausage adds a hearty and savory element to the dip, and you can't forget the mozzarella cheese, which melts down and creates that irresistible stringy goodness. With these readily available ingredients, you can whip up this pizza dip in no time, making it a perfect go-to recipe for a crowd.
You can serve it with crispy breadsticks, toasted sourdough slices, or even tortilla chips. It's the kind of dish that can adapt to any taste preferences and dietary restrictions, making it a fun and tasty snack for everyone!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This recipe captures all the flavors of a traditional pizza in a scrumptious, shareable form that's easy to serve.
- Not only is this dip incredibly delicious, but it's also incredibly easy to make. With simple ingredients that are readily available at your local grocery store, you can whip up this appetizer in no time.
- From game nights to family gatherings to casual movie nights, this dip fits every occasion. Plus, you can get creative with your dipping options!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Pepperoni - Adds a deliciously salty and slightly spicy kick to the pizza dip, infusing it with a rich and savory flavor.
- Ricotta Cheese - Not only adds a luscious texture to the dip but also provides a mild and slightly tangy flavor.
- Minced Garlic - Brings a fragrant and aromatic element to the dip, enhancing the overall taste and adding a subtle hint of pungency.
- Seasoning (Black Pepper & Italian Seasoning) - The black pepper adds a touch of heat and depth of flavor, while the Italian seasoning, with its blend of herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme, contributes a distinctly Italian taste profile.
- Italian Sausage - The mild Italian sausage is the star protein of the dip, infusing it with a hearty and savory flavor. It adds a meaty texture and depth to the overall taste.
- Marinara Sauce - Serves as the base of the dip, providing a tangy tomato flavor that brings the elements of a classic pizza sauce to the dip.
- Mozzarella Cheese - Gives the pizza dip its gooey and melty texture creating a stringy and creamy layer on top.
- Serving Vehicles - Sourdough bread slices and breadsticks serve as the perfect vessels for scooping up the dip.
How To Make Pizza Dip On The Stovetop
Prepare for baking: Preheat the oven to 400℉. Get out an oven-safe skillet.
Season the cheese: Add ricotta cheese, garlic, Italian seasoning, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Mix until well combined and set aside.
Cook the sausage: Over medium-high heat in an oven-safe skillet. Cook the sausage until completely browned. Drain off excess grease.
Layer the ingredients: Reduce heat to low and add marinara sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes and then top with dollops of ricotta cheese mixture. Sprinkle half of the cheese over the sauce. Then top with half of the pepperoni and repeat.
Bake and serve: Bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with breadsticks, tortilla chips, or sliced sourdough pieces, and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Before starting this recipe, it's important to ensure you have an oven-safe skillet that can go from stovetop to oven safely.
- Make sure you fully drain the sausage of oil after cooking it. Any excess oil in the dip will make the texture too greasy.
- When layering the dip, ensure that the marinara sauce is spread evenly across the skillet to create a consistent base. This will help to distribute the flavors more evenly as the dip bakes, ensuring every scoop is bursting with the essence of a classic pizza.
- To achieve a beautifully browned and bubbly cheese topping, you can broil the dip for a couple of minutes after baking. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning, as broiling can quickly turn the cheese golden and gooey.
Variations
- For a vegetarian twist, omit the Italian sausage and add a variety of sautéed vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms to the marinara sauce. This creates a flavorful and hearty vegetarian pizza dip.
- Give your pizza dip a tropical flair by incorporating diced pineapple and diced ham along with pepperoni. The combination of sweet and savory flavors adds a unique twist to the classic flavors.
- Infuse the dip with Mediterranean flavors by adding ingredients like chopped black olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese.
- For a lighter version of the dip, opt for turkey or chicken Italian sausage instead of the traditional pork variety.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, choose spicy pepperoni instead of the regular variety. The heat from the pepperoni will add an extra level of zing to the dip.
Storing & Reheating
Storing: To store any leftover pizza dip, transfer it to an airtight container or cover the skillet tightly with aluminum foil. Place it in the refrigerator, and it will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. Freezing is not recommended, as the ricotta cheese will separate and become watery.
Reheating: Place the desired portion in an oven-safe dish and reheat it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, usually about 15-20 minutes. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave, using short bursts of 30 seconds and stirring in between until it's heated to your liking.
FAQ
While mozzarella cheese is the traditional choice for pizza dip, you can experiment with other cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend of cheeses to customize the flavors.
You can prepare the dip ahead of time, up until the baking step. Once you've layered the dip, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you're ready to serve, bake it as directed in the recipe.
Yes. Look for gluten-free marinara sauce and ensure that the Italian seasoning and other spices you use are also gluten-free. Serve the dip with gluten-free breadsticks or gluten-free sourdough bread slices.
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Pizza Dip
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 oz pepperoni
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- 1 tsp garlic (minced)
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 lb mild Italian sausage
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 2½ cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- Breadsticks or sourdough bread slices for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400℉.
- Add ricotta cheese, garlic, Italian seasoning, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Mix until well combined and set aside.
- Over medium-high heat in an oven-safe skillet. Cook the sausage until completely browned. Drain off excess grease.
- Reduce heat to low and add marinara sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes and then top with dollops of ricotta cheese mixture. Sprinkle half of the cheese over the sauce. Then top with half of the pepperoni and repeat.
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve with breadsticks, tortilla chips, or sliced sourdough pieces, and enjoy!
Notes
- Prior to beginning this recipe, it's crucial to have a skillet that is safe for both stovetop and oven use.
- For a perfectly golden and melted cheese topping, consider broiling the dip for a few minutes after baking. Watch it carefully to avoid burning, as the broiling process can swiftly transform the cheese into a deliciously gooey, golden texture.
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
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