Description
This Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip is a savory and spicy appetizer perfect for gatherings or game day. Creamy layers of cream cheese and sour cream are topped with tangy pizza sauce, melted mozzarella, crispy sausage, and pepperoni, finished with a drizzle of hot honey for a sweet and spicy kick. Served warm with garlic butter baguette crostini, it’s a delicious twist on classic pizza flavors in dip form.
Ingredients
Scale
Dip Ingredients
- 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)
- ⅓ cup parmesan cheese (grated)
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 1 cup pizza sauce (or marinara sauce)
- 1 cup mozzarella (shredded)
- 1 cup mini pepperoni (or regular size cut into quarters)
- 4 leaves fresh basil (sliced)
- 4 tbsp parmesan cheese (grated)
- Hot honey (for drizzling)
Garlic Bread Crostini Ingredients
- 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℉ (190℃). Grease an oven-safe baking dish or skillet with cooking spray. For the garlic bread crostini, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and spray it with cooking spray.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with minced garlic. Brush both sides of each baguette slice with this garlic butter mixture. Arrange the slices on the prepared baking sheet and set aside.
- Cook Sausage: In a small frying pan, cook the sausage meat, crumbling it into small pieces until it just begins to get crispy. Drain any excess fat and let it cool.
- Mix Cream Cheese Base: In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, ⅓ cup grated parmesan, and dried oregano. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Layer Cream Cheese Mixture: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Add Pizza Sauce: Carefully spread the pizza or marinara sauce on top of the cream cheese layer without mixing the two layers.
- Top with Cheese and Meats: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly on top of the sauce. Scatter the cooked sausage crumbles and mini pepperoni over the cheese layer.
- Bake Dip Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the oven for 6-8 minutes, until the dip starts to bubble.
- Crisp Pepperoni: Remove the foil and bake for another 1-2 minutes to crisp the pepperoni.
- Bake Crostini: Five minutes after placing the dip in the oven, put the garlic bread crostini in as well. Bake for 4-5 minutes, flipping halfway through, until toasted and golden brown.
- Remove from Oven: Take out both the dip and crostini when done baking.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish the dip with sliced fresh basil leaves and extra grated parmesan. Drizzle hot honey over the top for a sweet-spicy finish. Serve warm with the garlic bread crostini for dipping and enjoy!
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese for easier mixing and a smoother base.
- You can substitute sour cream with plain Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor and added protein.
- If desired, add extra chili flakes for more heat instead of or alongside the hot honey drizzle.
- For a healthier option, choose turkey sausage or reduce the amount of sausage used.
- Leftover dip can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.
- If mini pepperoni is unavailable, slice regular pepperoni into quarters to ensure even topping distribution.
