Last updated on February 6th, 2021
So…we’re hosting a big cocktail party here next week. I like cocktail parties, because they are relatively easy to pull off. All you need are some old friends, some new friends, a signature cocktail, and some exquisite but simple appetizers.
And speaking of appetizers…are you familiar with Hot Pizza Dip? It’s a common cream cheese-based item, but it’s absolutely delicious. It’s easy to make, too, and you can make it well ahead of time. Just pop it in the oven about 30 minutes before your guests arrive.
The recipe for Hot Pizza Dip was developed, I suspect, in the 1980s. So put some glitter on your face and some Tenax in your hair (remember that stuff?), and proceed this way:
First, fling some softened cream cheese into a bowl.
Add some Italian seasoning…
And stir ’em all together.
Then stir in some shredded mozzarella cheese…
And an equal amount of shredded Parmesan cheese.
Spread the mixture into a 9-inch pie plate or a similarly-sized gratin dish.
Cover the goods with your favorite pizza sauce…
And sprinkle the sauce with some additional mozzarella and Parmesan.
Now take 1 green bell pepper and 1 red bell pepper…
And coarsely diced them. You’ll need only 2 tablespoons-worth of each kind. Save the remainder for tomorrow’s omelet.
Distribute the peppers over the cheese, and notice how pretty the dip looks. And we haven’t even baked it yet.
Make ahead note: At this point, you can cover the dish with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours.
Bake, uncovered, until hot and bubbly — 25-30 minutes.
Well, well, well. For something I’d call “frat-boy fare,” this dip is stringy-cheesy wonderful. I couldn’t stop eating it.
For today’s taste-testing experiment, I spooned the dip onto cheap Ritz crackers. For my cocktail event next week, I’ll probably serve the dip with toasted slices of a not-so-cheap French baguette. After all, unlike this heavily-made up 1980s icon, I have a reputation to maintain.
Think you’ll give this awesome dip a try? You can let me know by leaving a comment. As always, I love hearing from you!
Here’s the printable:
A cheesy-good dip that tastes like a pizza. Serve hot with crackers or toasted rounds of a French baguette.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room-temperature
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup shredded Mozarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded (or grated) Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 2 generous tablespoons minced green bell pepper
- 2 generous tablespoons minced red bell pepper
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and Italian seasoning together. Then stir in 1/2 cup each of the mozzarella and Parmesan. Spread the mixture into a 9-inch pie plate or a similarly-sized gratin dish. Pour on the pizza sauce, and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan, plus the minced bell peppers.
- Ahead of time note: At this point, you can cover and refrigerate the dish for up to 24 hours.
- When you are ready to bake, center the oven rack and preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake until hot and bubbly -- 25-30 minutes. Serve hot with crackers or toasted rounds of a baguette.
For added flavor, stir 1 teaspoon of garlic powder into the cream cheese mixture. For a meaty dip, add chopped pieces of pepperoni to the bell pepper topping.
Hungry for more? Get my email updates. And don’t forget to post a comment below. Maybe you’d like to share your own version of this Hot Pizza Dip!
And if you need more party appetizer ideas, you’ll find them right here.
Linda says
Looks delicious, and brings back memories of my sister’s fondue pot – she was famous for her “pizza fondue” – very similar to your recipe, but I believe there was crumbled sausage in it as well. She served it with small chunks of crusty Italian bread that you would skewer on the special fondue forks. I’ll have to ask her if she still has it, haven’t thought of it in years.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Linda — Yep, it’s an oldie but a goody. I’m planning to double the recipe for next week’s cocktail bash.
Anne L says
This sounds like a winner for the Super Bowl. It seems like it might get messy. thanks for a great idea.
Beverly, zone 6, eastern PA says
Attractive and tempting!
Tracy says
Oh, I love a good hot dip. And a cheesy one is even better! Thanks, Kevin.
AnnB says
Gonna make this for my Ski Club this afternoon!
Trudi in Atlanta . says
absolutely gorgeous
Diane R. says
Looks so good…will be making soon. Do you think I could just spread it on a focaccia
round right after baking it?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Diane R – I think this dip would be fabulicious on focaccia. Enjoy!
TJ says
Great Superbowl dip! Can’t wait to try it!
Renee Coursey says
Looks good except for the green bell peppers, we don’t eat those since they come back and re-visit us later. Any other ideas what we could use instead to get the green color? Thanks
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi TJ – Yes. Superbowl fare!
Hi Renee – Substitute chopped scallions for the green pepper. Enjoy the dip!
Carolyn says
I agree with the above- a great Super Bowl dip and also will replace the green pepper with spring onions. Thanks again for another recipe.
Ann says
This recipe looks really yummy, however…
There’s a confusion with the cheeses in the recipe. The ingredient lists 1 cup each of two cheeses. The instructions say to put a cup of each in with the cream cheese mixture. Then it says to put the remaining cheeses over the sauce. Where are the remaining cheeses? How much cheese altogether?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Ann – Fixed now. Thanks for the alert!
Julie R says
I can’t wait to make this. My family will love it. I love that it is SO simple to make and looks like it will please a whole crowd.
Renee Coursey says
Thank you for the green onion addition instead of the bell peppers. I will make it for sure. Stay warm. It is snowing here in Boise, ID. for the 20th day.
Annie says
I made something like this so many years ago…forgot about it!! Making this soon. Thanks Kevin!
Janette says
This recipe looks delicious and has come at just the right time. We are going to friends for dinner on Fri. night and I offered to take an appetizer. I was looking for something new instead of one my old
standbys and voila here it is. Thanks.
DEBBIE says
Oh – Oh! I am all over this one. Superbowl Par-taaaaay @ our house ~ always looking for something new (old new is acceptable) and flavorful to serve as Apps! Oh YUM! I can’t wait – you just took a load off my mind 🙂 Thank ye kindly Kevin. Go PATS!
Sonja says
We have a house-full of friends over for a potluck lunch every month or so. Thinking this will certainly be on the list for out next gathering. Looks delish!
Eileen Kelly says
Kevin, the fix regarding the amount of cheese to use as raised by Ann on January 23rd seems to have gotten lost. I’m making this for a party tomorrow — please help!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Eileen – In the printable, I’ve further clarified (I hope!) the cheese issue. Stir into the cream cheese mixture 1/2 cup each of the mozzarella and Parmesan. After you’ve added the pizza sauce, top it off with the remaining 1/2 each of the mozz and Parm. Hope this now makes sense! (Do let me know.)
Eileen Kelly says
That makes the recipe perfect, Kevin! Thank you.