Description
This Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip is a crowd-pleasing appetizer combining creamy layers of cream cheese and sour cream with savory sausage, pepperoni, and gooey mozzarella cheese. Topped with parmesan, fresh basil, and a drizzle of sweet and spicy hot honey, it’s served warm alongside crispy garlic butter crostini for perfect dipping. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s ideal for game days, parties, or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Cheese
- ½ cup sausage meat (honey garlic, mild or hot Italian, or 2 sausages with casing removed)
- 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 (shredded)
- 1 cup mini pepperoni (or regular size cut into quarters)
- 4 tbsp parmesan cheese (grated)
Spices and Herbs
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 4 leaves fresh basil (sliced)
Other
- 1 cup pizza sauce (or marinara sauce)
- Hot honey, for drizzling
Bread and Butter
- 1 baguette (cut into ½ inch thick slices, cut diagonally on an angle)
- 3 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375℉. Grease an oven-safe baking dish or skillet with cooking spray. If preparing garlic bread crostini, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and spray with cooking spray.
- Prepare Garlic Butter for Crostini: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and minced garlic. Brush both sides of the baguette slices with this garlic butter and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet. Set aside.
- Cook Sausage: In a small frying pan over medium heat, cook the sausage meat, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks. Cook until it starts to get crispy. Drain any excess fat and allow the sausage to cool slightly.
- Mix Cream Cheese Layer: In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, grated parmesan cheese, and dried oregano. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Layer the Dip: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Carefully layer the pizza sauce on top, avoiding mixing the layers.
- Add Cheese and Meats: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the pizza sauce layer. Scatter the cooked sausage crumbles and mini pepperoni pieces on top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 6-8 minutes until the dip starts to bubble.
- Crisp Pepperoni: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 1-2 minutes until the pepperoni crisps up.
- Bake Crostini: About 5 minutes after placing the dip in the oven, put the baking sheet with crostini in the oven. Bake for 4-5 minutes until crostini are golden brown and slightly toasted, flipping halfway through.
- Remove from Oven: Take both the dip and crostini out of the oven once done.
- Garnish Dip: Optionally, sprinkle the top of the dip with sliced fresh basil and the additional grated parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
- Serve: Drizzle hot honey over the warm dip. Serve immediately with the warm garlic bread crostini for dipping and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute plain Greek yogurt for sour cream for a tangier flavor and lighter option.
- For a spicier kick, choose hot Italian sausage or add crushed red pepper flakes to the cream cheese layer.
- Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature to ensure smooth mixing.
- Use mini pepperoni for easier dipping, but regular pepperoni cut into quarters works fine.
- Leftover dip can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- Adjust baking time slightly depending on your oven to avoid over-browning the pepperoni.
