I love pairing pizza flavors with veggies, and there are so many ways to do it. While cauliflower pizza crust, healthy zucchini pizza bites, or easy mini eggplant pizzas make a great base for pizza toppings, this dip pairs well with fresh veggies — or any dipper you like!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for baked pizza dip, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Cream Cheese – Softened cream cheese is easier to mix, so let it sit on the counter for about 30 minutes before starting the recipe. If you forget, you can microwave the cream cheese to soften it. Italian Seasoning – I made homemade Italian seasoning, but you could use store-bought for convenience. Cheese – I used a combination of shredded parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese, but you can also use only mozzarella if you like. Any other cheeses that melt well would also work. Pepperoni – I used regular pepperoni for this recipe, but you can easily swap in turkey pepperoni or mini pepperonis. Chop half of the pepperoni finely to mix directly in the dip, while the other half will stay whole for topping. Marinara Sauce – I used homemade sugar-free marinara sauce, but any marinara or pizza sauce would work.
How To Make Pizza Dip
This section shows how to make cheesy pepperoni pizza dip, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card. I kept this pizza dip recipe simple with as few ingredients as possible, but you can add more flavor by adding 2 cloves of minced garlic or 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder to the cream cheese mixture.
Topping Variations
You can easily customize this pizza dip recipe with your favorite pizza toppings:
Proteins – Switch up the protein in your dip, or add additional meat. Try cooked ham, air fryer sausage, cooked crumbled sausage, or leftover oven baked bacon. Fruits & Veggies – Add additional produce to the dip such as spinach, mushrooms, black olives, pineapple, onions, or bell peppers. Any watery veggies are best cooked first, so this is a good opportunity to use leftover sauteed mushrooms or sauteed spinach. Cheese – If you want it extra cheesy, leave out the protein. Try a different cheese such as cheddar cheese, or use a combination of cheeses for a delicious flavor that pairs perfectly with the tangy tomato sauce. Sauce – Not a fan of red sauce? Try this dip with basil pesto or alfredo sauce instead.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. Meal prep: Assemble the dip up to 3 days ahead of time and bake right before serving. Reheat: Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes, until warm. Freeze: After you make this easy pizza dip, you can freeze it right in the baking dish. Let it cool completely, then cover with plastic wrap flush against the surface and wrap in more layers of plastic wrap (or place in a freezer bag). Store the frozen pizza dip for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
What To Serve With Pizza Dip
Pepperoni pizza dip pairs well with lots of different foods! It’s commonly served with baguette slices, but I typically try to choose healthier options. Try it with these simple sides for game day (or any day):
Fresh Vegetables – Veggies like celery sticks, sliced cucumbers, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and mini bell peppers are great healthy options for dipping. Chips & Crackers – Serve with your favorite crackers, pretzels, or tortilla chips. Or make healthier swaps like almond flour crackers, crispy air fryer zucchini chips, or gluten-free and low carb tortilla chips. More Appetizers – Make a full party spread with dishes like Mexican shrimp cocktail, crispy bacon asparagus, zesty lemon pepper wings, simple and spicy jalapeno poppers, or elegant bacon wrapped dates. Of course, pizza anything always goes with crispy baked chicken wings.
More Cheesy Dip Recipes
Looking for more easy dip recipes to make for your next party? Try these simple and delicious ideas! Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. 📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Fall Ebook Bundle!
