Introduction
have literally saved my entertaining game more times than I can count! After years of experimenting (and honestly, some epic fails), I've perfected this gooey, stretchy heaven that combines everything we love about pizza in a scoop-able form. The secret? Layering the ingredients just right and letting them meld together until that moment when you pull back your chip and that perfect cheese pull happens. I first served this at my sister's baby shower last spring, and now my family won't let me show up to ANY gathering without it!
Timing
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 25 minutes
- Total time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened (leave it out for like 2 hours, trust me)
- 1 cup marinara sauce (I use my grandma's recipe but store-bought works fine)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella (fresh works amazing but pre-shredded is totally fine)
- 1 cup grated parmesan (not the powdery stuff please!)
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 3.5 oz pepperoni, chopped (turkey pepperoni works too)
- 1/2 cup bell peppers, diced
- Optional: red pepper flakes (depends how spicy you're feeling)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 - The Base Layer
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Beat that cream cheese until it's super smooth - like seriously smooth. Sometimes I zap it in the microwave for 20 seconds if I forgot to soften it (we've all been there). Spread it evenly in a 9-inch pie dish or similar-sized baking dish.
Step 2 - The Sauce Magic
Pour that marinara over the cream cheese layer. Y'know what's wild? The sauce might look like it's too much at first but it'll settle in perfectly while baking. Spread it gently - we're not making abstract art here!
Step 3 - Cheese + Toppings
Now comes the fun part! Layer on 1.5 cups of the mozzarella (save some for later!), then sprinkle with parmesan. Add your pepperoni and bell peppers - I like to press them in slightly so they don't just float on top. The Italian seasoning goes on now too.
Step 4 - The Final Touch
Top with remaining mozzarella. This final cheese layer is crucial for that Instagram-worthy cheese pull moment! Sometimes I add a few extra pepperoni on top just for looks - because why not?
Healthier Alternatives
Look, I've tried ALL the alternatives (my sister's on keto and my bestie's dairy-free). You can use Neufchâtel cheese instead of cream cheese, dairy-free mozzarella actually melts decent enough, and load up on veggies instead of pepperoni. Tips and tricks on this pizza dip recipe Though honestly? The texture isn't QUITE the same - but hey, it's still pretty darn good!
Storing Tips
If by some miracle you have leftovers
