Game Day Pepperoni Dip

My friend Sarah brought this dip to a Super Bowl party years ago, and I literally hovered over the dish until someone finally asked if I was going to share. The way the cream cheese layer mingles with the pizza sauce creates this incredible two-tier situation that somehow reminds you of actual pizza while being entirely its own magnificent thing.

Last weekend my teenage nephew walked in while this was baking and immediately announced he was staying for dinner. He ate half the dip standing at the counter with a baguette slice in each hand, then asked if we could make it a weekly tradition. That moment when cheese pulls in perfect strings while someone's eyes light up is exactly why this recipe lives in my regular rotation.

Ingredients

• 225 g (8 oz) cream cheese, softened: Absolutely must be room temperature or you will fight with lumps and nobody has time for that battle
• 120 g (1 cup) shredded mozzarella cheese: Freshly shredded melts so much better than the pre-shredded stuff with anti-caking agents
• 60 g (½ cup) shredded Parmesan cheese: Adds this salty umami punch that cuts through all the creamy richness
• 120 g (½ cup) sour cream: Makes the cream cheese layer more spreadable and adds a nice tang
• 100 g (3.5 oz) beef pepperoni, thinly sliced: Beef pepperoni has this deeper flavor that holds up better against all the cheese
• 240 ml (1 cup) pizza sauce or marinara sauce: Use whatever pizza sauce your family actually likes on regular pizza
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped green bell pepper: Totally optional but adds these little fresh crunch pockets throughout
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion: Also optional but I love how it mellowly sweetens as it bakes
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs: Split this between the layers for herb notes in every bite
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder: Just enough to make the cream cheese layer taste like it came from a restaurant
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper: Adds a tiny bit of heat that balances all the richness

Instructions

Get everything ready:

Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F) and set out that cream cheese to soften if you forgot like I sometimes do

Make the creamy base:

Mix the cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, black pepper, and half the Italian herbs until completely smooth

Build the first layer:

Spread that cream cheese mixture in the bottom of a 23-cm (9-inch) oven-safe dish and get it nice and even

Add the sauce layer:

Pour the pizza sauce over the cream cheese and gently spread it to cover without mixing the layers

Add the fresh stuff:

Sprinkle on the bell pepper and red onion if you are using them

Start the pepperoni:

Arrange most of the pepperoni slices over everything but save a handful for the top

Cheese it up:

Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan all over like you are tucking the dip in for a nap

Finish it off:

Add those reserved pepperoni slices and the rest of the Italian herbs on top

Bake until bubbly:

Slide it into the oven for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is golden and you can see the sauce bubbling up around the edges

The hardest part:

Let it cool for 5 minutes or you will burn your mouth and still eat it anyway because it smells incredible

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My neighbor texted me at midnight once after her book club tried this dip, demanding the recipe because apparently nobody could talk about the book until the dish was empty. That is when I knew this was not just appetizer food but actual conversation-stopping magic.

Make It Ahead

You can absolutely assemble everything earlier in the day, cover it, and keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake. Just add about 5 extra minutes to the baking time if it goes in cold.

Dipping Options

Toasted baguette slices are classic but tortilla chips actually work surprisingly well for scooping up all the layers. Pita chips, crackers, or even veggie sticks will all get the job done.

Serving Suggestions

This dip needs to be served hot and straight from the oven because the cheese sauce situation changes texture as it cools. Set out some napkins because things get messy in the best possible way.

• Put a small spoon under the dip for easier serving
• Have extra pepperoni on hand because people will pick them off the top
• Consider doubling the recipe if you are feeding more than four people

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Every time I make this dip now, I think about Sarah and that Super Bowl party and how something so simple can bring people together around a bubbling pan of cheese.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use turkey pepperoni instead of beef?

Yes, turkey pepperoni works well as a leaner alternative and maintains the dip's savory flavor.

→ What are good dipping options for this cheesy mix?

Toasted baguette slices, pita chips, tortilla chips, and gluten-free crackers complement the creamy texture nicely.

→ Can I prepare this dip ahead of time?

You can assemble the dip earlier and refrigerate it, then bake just before serving for best results.

→ Is it possible to add vegetables to the dip?

Chopped green bell pepper and red onion add freshness, and extras like black olives or sautéed mushrooms enhance flavor complexity.

→ How can I make the dip spicier?

Adding crushed red pepper flakes into the cheese mixture gives the dip a pleasant, spicy kick.