Pizza Dip is a delightful and customizable dish that combines the flavors of pizza with the interactive and communal nature of fondue.
If you like pizza, you’ll love this pizza dip! This easy hot and cheesy dip is fun for the whole family! Feel free to experiment with your favorite pizza toppings and cheeses to create a personalized pizza fondue experience. Serve it with bite-sized bread, veggies, or other dippable items for a fun and delicious appetizer.
Ingredients for Pizza Dip
Each ingredient contributes to the rich flavor profile of pizza dip.
- Italian Sausage: Adds savory and seasoned meatiness, a classic pizza topping.
- Mini Pepperoni: Provides a burst of smoky and spicy flavor, enhancing the overall taste.
- Onion: Adds a sweet and savory depth to the dip, complementing the meats.
- Tomato Puree: Forms the base with a tomatoey richness, essential for pizza flavor.
- Red Wine: Infuses a nuanced complexity and depth, elevating the taste.
- Dried Oregano and Basil: Traditional pizza herbs, imparting a familiar and aromatic essence.
- Garlic Powder: Enhances the overall savory profile without overpowering.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Melts into a gooey texture, contributing creaminess and stringiness.
- Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese: Adds a sharp and salty kick, enhancing the cheesy goodness.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Seasonings to balance and intensify flavors, ensuring the right taste.
Together, these ingredients create a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, replicating the essence of a classic pizza in dip form. Adjusting the ingredients and quantities allows customization to your own personal preferences.
How to make Pizza Dip
Create a crowd-pleasing pizza dip with savory sausage, zesty tomato, and gooey cheese. Follow these simple steps for a dip that delights!
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large saucepan [paid link], cook sausage and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add optional red wine and allow this to boil off for two minutes to remove alcohol. Stir in tomato puree or sauce, and add all the listed herbs and seasonings. Stir in half of the mozzarella cheese.
- Pour into an oven-proof dish and top with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Add pepperoni slices and bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the pepperoni is crispy.
- Serve fondue with a variety of fondue dippers.
Why this Pizza Dip Recipe Works
- Balanced Flavors:
- The combination of Italian sausage, mini pepperoni, sautéed onion, and a blend of herbs creates a well-balanced and flavorful profile.
- Tomatoey Richness:
- The use of tomato puree provides a rich and authentic pizza flavor, forming a robust base for the dip.
- Wine Infusion:
- Adding red wine infuses a depth of flavor, elevating the taste and providing complexity to the dish.
- Cheese Harmony:
- The combination of mozzarella and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses brings a perfect balance of gooeyness, creaminess, and sharpness.
- Texture Variation:
- The layering of ingredients and the baking process create a satisfying mix of textures, from the creamy cheese to the hearty sausage.
- Ease of Preparation:
- The straightforward steps and simple ingredients make this recipe accessible to a wide range of cooks, making it easy to replicate.
- Customization:
- The recipe allows for customization based on personal preferences, allowing individuals to adjust ingredient quantities to suit their taste.
Recipe tips and kitchen tricks
- Customize Toppings:
- Experiment with different pizza toppings to personalize the dip. Try adding diced bell peppers, black olives, or other favorite ingredients for a unique twist.
- Optimize Cheese Melt:
- To achieve the perfect cheese melt, use a mix of cheeses with varying melt points. Combine mozzarella for gooeyness and Parmigiano-Reggiano for a crispy and flavorful top layer.
- Serve with Diverse Dippers:
- Offer an array of dippable items like sliced baguette, tortilla chips, or fresh veggies. This enhances the experience, allowing guests to choose their preferred dipping vehicle.
Recipe Variations
Elevate your pizza dip game with variations like spicy kick, three-cheese extravaganza, and pesto-sun-dried tomato twist. Customize and savor!
- Creamy – use fresh ricotta to replace all or part of the shredded mozzarella cheese
- Spicy – add 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes, more or less to taste
- Veggie lovers – replace the meat with 1/4 cup diced sauteed mushrooms, 1/4 cup black olives, 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper, and 1/4 cup diced red onions (or any combination of your favorite vegetables).
- Meat lovers – replace the turkey sausage with 2 slices of cooked crumbled bacon, 1/2 pound of crumbled cooked lean ground beef, 2 slices of Canadian bacon (chopped), and 1/4 pound ( about 1 link) of cooked and crumbled spicy Italian sausage.
- Hawaiian – Add 1/2 cup pineapple tidbits, 4 sliced of cooked, crumbled bacon, and 2 slices of chopped Canadian bacon.
- Super Combo – Add a combination of chopped pepperoni, Italian sausage, chopped sauteed mushrooms, chopped Canadian bacon, crumbled lean ground beef, chopped red onions, diced green bell peppers, sliced black olives, and extra mozzarella cheese.
- Bacon Double Cheeseburger – swap the turkey Italian sausage for 1/2 pound of cooked lean ground beef, 2 slices of cooked, crumbled bacon, and top with sharp cheddar cheese and diced fresh tomatoes.
Serving Suggestions
- Baguette Slices: Serve the pizza dip with thinly sliced and toasted baguette for a classic and crunchy pairing.
- Tortilla Chips: Offer tortilla chips for a crispy and salty option that complements the creamy and savory dip.
- Vegetable Sticks: Provide an assortment of fresh vegetable sticks such as celery, carrots, and bell peppers for a refreshing and healthier dipping choice.
- Pita Bread Triangles: Cut pita bread into triangles and toast them for a soft and pillowy accompaniment that absorbs the flavors of the dip.
- Crackers Assortment: Arrange a variety of crackers, from plain to seasoned, for a diverse and convenient dipping experience, perfect for gatherings.
Storing, freezing, and reheating instructions
Storing:
- Refrigerate any leftover pizza dip in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Ensure it’s cooled to room temperature before storing.
Freezing:
- Pizza dip can be frozen, but it’s best to freeze before baking. Place in a freezer-safe container, leaving room for expansion. Thaw in the fridge before baking.
Reheating:
- To reheat, preheat the oven, and bake the refrigerated dip until warmed through. For frozen dip, thaw in the fridge, then follow the original baking instructions. Stir to ensure even heating.
frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can I make the pizza dip ahead of time?
Yes, prepare the dip, refrigerate, and bake when ready. It’s a convenient make-ahead dish.
What can I substitute for red wine in the recipe?
Broth or non-alcoholic wine are suitable alternatives, maintaining flavor depth without alcohol.
Is there a vegetarian or vegan version of the pizza dip?
Absolutely! Use plant-based sausage, vegan cheese, and skip the wine for a delicious vegan option.
Can I use different cheeses in the pizza dip?
Certainly! Experiment with various cheeses like cheddar, provolone, or fontina for a personalized touch.
How do I store and reheat leftover pizza dip?
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, bake until warmed through in the oven.
Looking for more Appetizer Ideas?
Wine and Cocktail Pairings
Wine Pairings:
- Chianti:
- The robust flavors of Chianti complement the rich and savory elements in the pizza dip, especially with Italian sausage.
- Pinot Noir:
- The red berry notes and balanced acidity of Pinot Noir harmonize well with the tomatoey richness in the dip.
- Chardonnay:
- A buttery Chardonnay can complement the creamy cheese in the pizza dip, providing a delightful contrast.
Cocktail Pairings:
- Bloody Mary:
- The tangy and savory profile of a Bloody Mary pairs well with the bold flavors of the pizza dip, creating a dynamic combination.
- Negroni:
- The herbal and bitter notes in a Negroni can cut through the richness of the dip, offering a balanced and sophisticated pairing.
- Margarita:
- The zesty and citrusy elements of a Margarita provide a refreshing contrast to the savory and cheesy components of the pizza dip.
Pizza Fondue
Ingredients
For the Fondue:
- 1/2 pound bulk Italian sausage [See Note 1]
- 1 medium onion , chopped
- 1/4 cup red wine [See Note 2] optional
- 1 can (28-ounce) tomato puree or sauce
- 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese divided
- 2.5 oz mini pepperoni , more or less to taste
- 1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1-1/2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 Cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- salt and ground black pepper , to taste
Serve with a variety of dippers:
- 1 loaf Italian crostini bread , cut into slices, breadsticks, or garlic knots
- fresh mozzarella cheese pearls or cubed mozzarella cheese
- Vegetable dippers like bell peppers , broccoli, celery, and cauliflower
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large saucepan [paid link], cook sausage and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add optional red wine and allow this to boil off for two minutes to remove alcohol. Stir in tomato puree or sauce, and add all the listed herbs and seasonings. Stir in half of the mozzarella cheese.
- Pour into an oven-proof dish and top with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Add pepperoni slices and bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the pepperoni is crispy.
- Serve fondue with a variety of fondue dippers.
Notes
- If link sausage is used, it should be removed from the casing prior to browning. Turkey, chicken, sausage, or tofu may be used and will all work great.
- Red wine may be omitted but brings a great depth of flavor. In its place, add an equal amount of water, beef stock, or chicken stock.
- Variations on the original:
- Creamy – use fresh ricotta to replace all or part of the shredded mozzarella cheese
- Spicy – add 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes, more or less to taste
- Veggie lovers – replace the meat with 1/4 cup diced sauteed mushrooms, 1/4 cup black olives, 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper, and 1/4 cup diced red onions (or any combination of your favorite vegetables).
- Meat lovers – replace the turkey sausage with 2 slices of cooked crumbled bacon, 1/2 pound of crumbled cooked lean ground beef, 2 slices of Canadian bacon (chopped), and 1/4 pound ( about 1 link) of cooked and crumbled spicy Italian sausage.
- Hawaiian – Add 1/2 cup pineapple tidbits, 4 sliced of cooked, crumbled bacon, and 2 slices of chopped Canadian bacon.
- Super Combo – Add a combination of chopped pepperoni, Italian sausage, chopped sauteed mushrooms, chopped Canadian bacon, crumbled lean ground beef, chopped red onions, diced green bell peppers, sliced black olives, and extra mozzarella cheese.
- Bacon Double Cheeseburger – swap the turkey Italian sausage for 1/2 pound of cooked lean ground beef, 2 slices of cooked, crumbled bacon, and top with sharp cheddar cheese and diced fresh tomatoes.
- Nutritional data is based on the recipe as written. Variations will have different nutritional Information.
Made veggie lovers pizza w cheese and it was delicious.
I made the cheese lovers pizza dip and used your homemade ricotta recipe. Omg, both recipes were so good! I dont know if I can go back to the other ricotta. Ugh
You left out the notes on this on, Ronda.
Where are they?
Hi Cindy,
Sorry about that – they are there now. Thanks for spotting that and letting me know. I appreciate your help.