Description

A warm, cheesy, and undeniably delicious dip that captures the flavors of pizza without the hassle of making dough. This foolproof recipe uses simple ingredients like marinara, cream cheese, mozzarella, and pepperoni for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 cups (360 ml) marinara sauce
8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
2 cups (220 g) low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 package (approx. 30-40 slices) thin, dry-cured pepperoni slices
1 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese and marinara sauce. Beat with a hand mixer or fork until completely smooth and uniform.
Pour the cream cheese mixture into an 8×8 inch baking dish and spread evenly with a spatula.
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella (and Parmesan if using) evenly over the sauce layer.
Arrange pepperoni slices in a single layer over the cheese.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbling, and pepperoni edges are crispy.
Optional: Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for extra crispy pepperoni, watching closely to prevent burning.
Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes to allow the cheese to set slightly.
Serve warm with sturdy chips, crusty bread, or veggie sticks.

Notes

Ensure cream cheese is softened to room temperature to avoid lumps. Use thin, dry-cured pepperoni for crispiness. The dip does not freeze well due to texture changes in the cheese; however, it can be assembled and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1
Calories: 350
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 650
Fat: 28
Saturated Fat: 14
Carbohydrates: 8
Fiber: 1
Protein: 15

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