Description
This Pepperoni Dip with Cheese and Marinara combines creamy, tangy, and savory flavors into a perfect appetizer for any gathering. Featuring a rich blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and a trio of Italian cheeses, seasoned with aromatic spices and topped with zesty marinara sauce and pepperoni slices, this dip is easy to prepare and ideal for serving with bread, crackers, or vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Dairy
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, finely grated, divided
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, grated
Seasonings & Sauces
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ cup marinara sauce
Meat
- 14 slices pepperoni (between 14–18 slices)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the dip.
- Mix the base: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth and creamy using a hand mixer or whisk.
- Add cheeses and seasoning: Stir in 1 cup of the grated mozzarella, half of the parmesan cheese (2 tablespoons), Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix until well incorporated.
- Transfer to baking dish: Spoon the cheese mixture into an oven-safe baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Add marinara and pepperoni: Pour marinara sauce over the cheese layer and spread it gently. Arrange the pepperoni slices evenly on top of the marinara.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese: Top the pepperoni with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheeses for a bubbly, golden crust.
- Bake: Place the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly with lightly browned spots on top.
- Serve warm: Remove from oven and let the dip cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with sliced bread, crackers, or fresh vegetables for dipping.
Notes
- For spicier flavor, substitute pepperoni with spicy or smoked pepperoni varieties.
- You can prepare the dip a day ahead and bake just before serving.
- Use whole milk or part-skim mozzarella based on your preference; whole milk cheese yields a creamier texture.
- If you want to make it gluten-free, serve with gluten-free crackers or vegetables.
- This dip reheats well in the oven or microwave, but ensure to heat until warmed through.
Keywords: pepperoni dip, cheese dip, marinara dip, party appetizer, baked dip, easy appetizer, Italian dip