This easy pepperoni pizza dip is hot, cheesy and incredibly simple to make. Serve it with crostini or garlic bread for the ultimate easy party appetizer for game day or movie night.

And if you like pizza-inspired dishes that aren't actually pizza, try my delicious Pizza Soup next!

My pepperoni pizza dip is cheesy, saucy and loaded with crispy pepperoni slices; basically everything you love about pizza, minus the part where you have to make dough.

It has a creamy seasoned base, plenty of melty mozzarella and cheddar, crispy pepperoni on top, and just enough sauce to make every scoop taste like actual pizza.

Serve it with crostini, garlic bread, tortilla chips, veggies or whatever crunchy thing is within arm's reach.

This is the kind of appetizer that disappears in minutes, so maybe don't wander too far from the dish. Trust me.

Why you'll love this pepperoni pizza dip

It's ridiculously easy to make. Mix the creamy base, layer everything up and bake until bubbling and golden. That's it.
Just perfect for parties. Game day, movie night, potlucks, holidays - this one fits in just about anywhere.
You can prep it ahead. Assemble it earlier in the day, then bake it when everyone's ready to hover around the snack table.

What you'll need

Cream cheese - This makes the base rich, creamy and perfectly scoopable. Make sure it's softened so it mixes smoothly.

Italian seasoning - To make the cream cheese base taste properly pizza-ish.

Marinara sauce - Use a sauce you actually like because the flavor really comes through.

Mozzarella and cheddar - Mozzarella gives you that classic melty pizza pull, while cheddar adds extra flavor and sharpness.

Parmesan - Adds a salty, savory flavor to the creamy layer.

Pepperoni - Regular or mini pepperoni both work. Mini pepperoni looks extra cute and gives you more pepperoni in every bite.

Pro tip

Use low-moisture grated mozzarella instead of fresh mozzarella because nobody wants a watery pizza dip.

How to make pepperoni pizza dip

This is a quick overview with step-by-step photos. See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.

Mix the softened cream cheese, 1 cup cheddar cheese, the grated mozzarella, Italian seasoning mix, salt and pepper in a medium bowl.

Spread the mixture into a 2qt casserole dish. Add the marinara on top and spread evenly with a spatula.

Add the remaining cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan on top, then spread the pepperoni slices evenly.

Pepperoni Pizza Dip instructions step by step

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly. Broil for 2-3 minutes for a perfect golden-brown finish!

Substitutions and variations

Use your favorite pizza sauce instead of marinara if you like an even more classic flavor.
If you want to add some veggies such as bell peppers, olives, onions, jalapeños, or mushrooms, make sure they're cooked first so the dip doesn't turn watery.
Add some heat with pickled jalapeños, red chili flakes or a drizzle of hot honey after baking.

Helpful tips

The cream cheese needs to be softened properly so you don't end up chasing lumps around the bowl when mixing.
If you notice too much grease on top from the pepperoni after baking, blot it with a paper kitchen towel.
Serve your pizza dip hot! It's really best when the cheese is melty, and the top is bubbly.

What to serve with pizza dip

This dip is perfect with a generous amount of carbs! I love it with crostini, garlic bread, tortilla chips or crackers.
It's also amazing with breadsticks or toasted baguette slices.
You can also serve it with celery sticks, bell pepper strips or carrot sticks for a lighter option.

Make ahead and storage

To make ahead: Assemble the pizza dip up to 24 hours in advance, cover and refrigerate. Bake straight from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat: Warm leftovers in the oven or microwave until hot. Add a little extra mozzarella on top if you like.
Freezing: I wouldn't recommend it. Cream cheese-based dips can split or become grainy after freezing.

More delicious game day recipes

If you've tried this easy pepperoni pizza dip recipe, please rate it and leave a comment below! I'd love to hear how it turned out.

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