Description
Meat Lover’s Pizza Dip is a hearty, crowd-pleasing appetizer that combines savory meats like pepperoni, sausage, and bacon with rich, melty cheeses and tangy marinara sauce, capturing the essence of pizza without the crust. Perfect for parties, game days, or casual gatherings, it offers bold, comforting flavors in every bite and is easy to prepare and customize.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Ingredients
- 1/2 pound ground sausage
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
- 1/2 cup bacon bits
Dairy Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Other Ingredients
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Meats: Brown the ground sausage in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked and no longer pink. Add the bacon bits and pepperoni slices towards the end to warm through and slightly crisp. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Combine the Base Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, soften the cream cheese by microwaving for 20-30 seconds, then stir in shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic until well combined and smooth.
- Add the Cooked Meats: Fold the cooked sausage, bacon, and pepperoni into the cheese mixture, mixing evenly so the flavors blend together beautifully.
- Bake Until Bubbling and Golden: Transfer the dip into an oven-safe dish and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and golden around the edges.
- Garnish and Serve: Allow to cool slightly, then garnish with chopped green onions or fresh herbs. Serve warm with your favorite dippers such as sliced baguette, pita chips, or crunchy vegetables.
Notes
- Drain excess fat from cooked meats to prevent the dip from becoming oily.
- Soften cream cheese fully to ensure a smooth, creamy texture without lumps.
- Use a blend of cheeses and herbs to layer and mimic authentic pizza flavors.
- Watch the baking time carefully to avoid drying out the dip.
- Serve the dip warm and melty right from the oven for best flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: Meat Lover's Pizza Dip, pizza dip, party appetizer, cheesy dip, sausage dip, pepperoni dip, bacon dip, game day snack