Cheesy Pepperoni Dip, a Savory and Delectable Treat
Crank up the flavors of pizza with this quick and easy Pepperoni Pizza Dip recipe! Grab your food processor and toss in mozzarella, pepperoni, cream cheese, ricotta, sun-dried tomatoes, salt, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Whiz it until smooth, then dish it up in a pie plate and top with more cheese and pepperoni. Bake until bubbly and serve with toasted breadsticks or garlic bread for an impressive snack that'll leave your guests jaws dropped by its pizza-like taste!
Equipment: You'll need a 9-inch pie plate for this recipe.
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups shredded whole-milk mozzarella (about 8 ounces)
- 2 ounces pepperoni slices (about 26 thin slices), quartered
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cut into large pieces
- 7 ounces whole-milk ricotta cheese (about 1 cup)
- ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (about ½ ounce)
- 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 ½ pounds toasted ciabatta, soft breadsticks, or garlic bread, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and arrange a rack in the middle.
- Pop half of the mozzarella, half of the pepperoni, cream cheese, ricotta, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, salt, oregano, and red pepper flakes into your food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Process until smooth, approximately 45 seconds (there may still be a few small bits of pepperoni).
- Transfer the mixture to a 9-inch pie plate and smooth the top. Evenly sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and pepperoni.
- Bake until the dip is heated through and bubbling around the edges and the cheese on top is melted, about 15 minutes. Serve immediately with the ciabatta bread, breadsticks, or garlic bread for dipping.
Garlic Bread
Want to take your dipping experience to the next level? Whip up some classic garlic bread to serve on the side! Here's a simple garlic bread recipe that combines classic garlic flavors with the option to add additional toppings like cheese and herbs.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French or Italian bread, approximately 16 ounces
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (kosher or table salt)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, salt, and chopped parsley (if using). Mix well until the ingredients are fully incorporated. If adding Parmesan cheese, stir it in at this stage.
- Prepare the Bread: Slice the bread lengthwise into halves. Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly onto both halves of the bread, using a butter knife or pastry brush.
- Bake the Bread: Place the bread on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil, butter side up. Bake for 15-17 minutes until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes if needed. Slice into individual servings and serve warm alongside your Pepperoni Pizza Dip.
Garlic Powder Variations
If you prefer using garlic powder, you can substitute it in the garlic butter mixture:- Use about 1-2 tablespoons of garlic powder (depending on your desired garlic intensity)- Combine this with softened butter, parsley, Italian seasoning, and grated Parmesan cheese as mentioned in the Old School Garlic Bread Spread recipe
Additional Tips
- Grilled Option: For a grilled version, wrap the prepared bread in foil and grill at medium heat for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until crispy on the outside and heated through.
- Freezing: You can also prepare garlic bread and freeze it before baking. Simply place it on a baking sheet, freeze, then wrap in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for later use.
For easier food preparation, download the 'attachment' containing the Pepperoni Pizza Dip recipe for quick access.
Pair your homemade Pepperoni Pizza Dip with Garlic Bread for an extra indulgent combination that echoes the flavors of pizza.
Enhance your garlic bread experience by increasing the garlic intensity with garlic powder or creating a grilled version for added crunch.
