Description
A deliciously indulgent Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip featuring layers of creamy cheese, savory sausage, pepperoni, and zesty pizza sauce, baked until bubbly and topped with a sweet and spicy honey drizzle. Perfect for game days or casual gatherings served warm with crispy garlic bread crostini.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- ½ cup sausage meat (honey garlic, mild or hot Italian, or 2 sausages with casing removed)
- 1 cup mini pepperoni (or regular size cut into quarters)
Dairy
- 8 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature, 1 brick, 250 grams)
- ½ cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 4 tbsp parmesan cheese (grated, for garnish)
Other
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 1 cup pizza sauce (or marinara sauce)
- 4 leaves fresh basil (sliced, for garnish)
- Hot honey (for drizzling)
For Garlic Bread Crostini
- 1 baguette (cut into ½ inch thick slices, cut diagonally on an angle)
- 3 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375℉ (190℃). Grease an oven-safe baking dish or skillet with cooking spray to prevent sticking. For the crostini, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil sprayed with cooking spray.
- Prepare Garlic Butter for Crostini: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with the minced garlic. Brush both sides of each baguette slice generously with this garlic butter mixture, then place them evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Set aside while you prepare the dip.
- Cook the Sausage: In a small frying pan over medium heat, cook the sausage meat. Crumble it as it cooks until it starts to get crispy. Drain off any excess fat and set the cooked sausage aside to cool slightly.
- Mix Cheese Base: In a small bowl, combine the room temperature cream cheese, sour cream, grated parmesan cheese, and dried oregano. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and creamy with no lumps.
- Assemble the Dip Layers: Spread the creamy cheese mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Carefully spoon and spread the pizza sauce over the cream cheese layer without mixing, creating two distinct layers.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the pizza sauce layer. Scatter the cooked sausage crumbles and mini pepperoni evenly across the top of the cheese layer.
- Bake the Dip: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 6-8 minutes until the dip starts to bubble around the edges. Remove the foil and bake an additional 1-2 minutes to crisp the pepperoni topping.
- Bake the Crostini: Five minutes after placing the dip in the oven, place the prepared baking sheet with garlic bread crostini in the oven. Bake for 4-5 minutes until the crostini are slightly toasted and golden brown, flipping each piece halfway through baking for even coloring.
- Remove from Oven: Take both the dip and crostini out of the oven once they are cooked to your desired level.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, top the dip with sliced fresh basil leaves and additional grated parmesan cheese. Drizzle hot honey generously over the dip for a perfect balance of sweet heat. Serve the warm dip immediately with the garlic bread crostini for dipping and enjoy!
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese for easier mixing and a smoother dip.
- Sausage types can be adjusted to your heat preference: mild, hot Italian, or honey garlic.
- If you prefer a thicker dip, reduce the amount of sour cream slightly.
- The hot honey drizzle can be added sparingly or generously depending on your spice tolerance.
- The garlic bread crostini adds a delicious crunch but can be swapped with crackers or sliced veggies for a lighter option.
