Pepperoni Pizza Dip (Easy Appetizer Recipe)

Pepperoni Pizza Dip is an easy appetizer recipe made with marinara sauce, pepperoni and lots of cheese. This warm cheesy dip is the perfect appetizer for game day and a favorite food for cheese lovers anytime!

Easy Pizza Dip

Cheesy pepperoni dip or pepperoni pizza dip is one of the most delicious warm dip recipes you can make. This cheesy dip has cream cheese, pizza sauce, Parm and mozzarella cheese with a layer of crispy pepperoni slices on top.

I have been making pepperoni dip for years now, and it’s definitely a family favorite. We serve this easy snack during football season on game days, super bowl Sunday, holidays and family game night. It makes a great party dip too!

It’s super easy, and you can even make the dip in your microwave or air fryer. If you’re a pizza lover or cheese lover, this cheesy pepperoni pizza dip is for you!

Some of our other favorite game day dip recipes include Warm Spinach Artichoke Dip, Cheesy Ground Beef Taco Dip and Easy Hot Bean Dip. Check them out!

Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients for this easy pizza dip recipe. You can find them in your grocery store or online. Full amounts are in the printable recipe card below.

• Cream cheese — brick-style cream cheese, not cream cheese spread. Make sure it is softened or room temperature for easy spreading.
• Parmesan cheese — buy shredded cheese or grate your own
• Marinara sauce — or pizza sauce
• Italian seasoning — for extra flavor. You can add a little garlic powder for stronger flavor if you like.
• Mozzarella cheese
• Pepperoni slices — or mini pepperonis

How to Make Pepperoni Pizza Dip Recipe

First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees f. Next, spray a pie plate or shallow baking dish or casserole dish with non stick spray.

Spread the softened cream cheese on the bottom of the pie plate. Then, top it with about half of the grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning.

Next, you add the marinara sauce, and spread it evenly over the cream cheese mixture.

Top the sauce with shredded mozzarella cheese and the remaining Parmesan cheese.

You can add more cheese if you feel like it. This dip is all about the cheese, so the more, the better!

Add the pepperoni slices on top of the cheeses. Then, sprinkle Italian seasoning on top of the pepperoni.

You can space the pepperoni slices evenly over the cheese. Or, add extra pepperoni if you like.

Cooking Time

Bake the pizza dip in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes. The exact time depends on how hot your oven is and how crispy you want the top layer.

When the cheese is melted and bubbling, the dip is ready to eat! Let it sit at room temperature for a bit, and then dive right in!

What to Serve with Pepperoni Dip

So, what to serve with pizza dip? We serve this irresistible dip with toasted bread rounds, pita chips, bagel chips or crusty bread. You can also use tortilla chips or corn chips.

You can serve celery sticks, cauliflower, broccoli or carrot sticks. Or, simple dive into the cheesy goodness with a fork or spoon.

Variations

You can easily change the basic pizza dip recipe and add your favorite pizza toppings to suit your tastes. I like to add fresh basil when I have it. Instead of pepperoni, top the dip with cooked Italian sausage crumbles or ham and pineapple.

Or, make a meatless cream cheese dip and add your favorite blend of cheeses here. Cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, and Mexican blend are always a huge hit!

Make it a veggie lover’s crustless pizza with bell pepper slices and olives. Black olives, mini bell peppers, and red or green onions are some favorite veggies.

You can also cook pizza dip in the microwave or a small slow cooker until the cheese melts. It’s good, but you won’t get crispy pepperoni and that gorgeous golden cheese on top!

How to Store Leftover Dip

We never have leftover pepperoni dip around here. But, if you do, just store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This easy dip recipe is easy to make ahead of time and bake when you are ready to serve.

If you want cold pizza dip, dig in! Otherwise, you can reheat the dip in the microwave for a couple of minutes. Or, reheat it in the oven until warm.

There’s something incredibly addicting about diving into the melty cheese with a piece of crusty bread and watching the cheese stretch longer and longer when you pull the bread out.

At least my family thinks so — They even  have contests to see whose cheese will stretch the longest. Yep, we’re weird that way!

If you like this cheesy goodness as much as we do, please leave a comment and star rating!

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Recipe published in 2015 and updated in 2024