Pizza Dip

Turn your favorite party meal into an easy appetizer with loaded pizza dip! This gooey, baked, and broiled homemade dip is all about the cheese: cream cheese for the base, mozzarella for a melted cheese pull, and parmesan for fantastic flavor. Bring it right to the table for serving with toasted baguette slices, pita chips, or even bagel chips. This hearty dip is a fan-favorite game day food, so add it to your list of Super Bowl party ideas. It'll be gone before the halftime show!

What's the best way to soften cream cheese?

The easiest way to soften cream cheese is by letting it sit on the countertop for 30 minutes to an hour. To soften cream cheese quicker, try submerging the sealed foil wrapper in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping about every five minutes. You can also microwave the cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl for one minute (in 10-second increments) until softened. (Psst: That's just one of a few ways to soften cream cheese!)

What kind of baking dish do you use for pizza dip?

A deep-dish pie plate is the perfect vessel for this dip. A deep-dish pie plate is slightly deeper (about 2 inches) and wider at the top (about 10 inches) than a standard pie plate which is typically 1 inch deep and 9 inches wide. It's wide enough to brown the entire top layer of cheese under the broiler and deep enough to layer the marinara, cheeses, and toppings. If you don't have a deep-dish pie plate on hand, an 8-inch square baking dish will work.

How long does it take to brown cheese under the broiler?

Every oven's broiler is different—some get hotter than others or are located in different spots. Two minutes should get cheese nicely bubbled and browned under the broiler, but you'll want to watch it like a hawk. Check every 30 seconds or so and carefully shift the pan if it's getting overly browned in one spot.

What can I use instead of mini pepperoni?

If you can't find mini pepperoni, just buy regular sized pepperoni slices and cut them into smaller pieces, if you like. But feel free to customize the dip with your favorite toppings! Ingredients like browned Italian sausage, sautéed mushrooms, or even sliced jalapeño would be wonderful here, too.

Are shredded parmesan and grated parmesan the same?

Grated parmesan is finely ground like a powder. Shredded parmesan is shredded into fine strands like mozzarella. Use grated parm for this recipe; it melds easily with the cream cheese.

Can you make pizza dip ahead of time?

Yes, this dip can be assembled in the morning and baked off that afternoon. Just be sure to cover it with plastic and refrigerate until time to bake.