This hot Pizza Dip recipe is the perfect skillet appetizer to feed a crowd. Oh and did I mention it is complete with garlic butter pizza dough balls as dippers? Together it is flavorful and everything you love about pizza in one bite!
13.5" cast iron skillet or other large baking dish
Ingredients
Pizza Dip
1cupcream cheesefull fat, room temperature (1, 8 ounce block)
½cupsour creamroom temperature
2cupsMozzarella cheese
½cupcheddar cheese
1teaspoonpizza seasoning**
1cuppizza sauce
½cupmini pepperonis
⅓cuppepperoncinismild
¼cuphot honey***
Garlic Butter Pizza Dough Balls
2pizza dough balls*room temperature
¼cupunsalted buttermelted
1teaspoongarlic powder
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 °F and lightly grease a large cast iron skillet.
Divide pizza dough into 30 to 40 pieces and roll into even balls.
Place pizza dough balls around the perimeter of the skillet and set aside.
Using a whisk, hand mixer, or stand mixer, whip together cream cheese, sour cream, ¾ cup of mozzarella cheese, and the cheddar cheese until smooth and creamy.
Evenly spread the mixture in the center of the skillet keeping the outer edge higher than the center (this will keep the marinara sauce contained).
Carefully pour the marinara sauce over top of the cheese mixture.
Sprinkle on the remainder of the mozzarella cheese and lightly press it down into the marinara sauce.
Top with mini pepperonis and pepperoncinis.
In a small bowl combine the melted butter and garlic powder. Lightly brush it over the pizza dough balls.
Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted, the dip is bubbling, and the garlic butter pizza dough balls are golden brown.
Drizzle with hot honey and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
* Frozen pizza dough needs to be thawed in the refrigerator overnight. The next day you will want to leave it sit out with the cream cheese and sour cream before forming it into pizza dough balls and placing them in your skillet.** Don't have pizza seasoning? No problem. Use 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/4 teaspoon basil, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.*** Make your own, homemade Hot Honey Sauce using this recipe.
Storing & Reheating Information:
In an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. If wrapped with aluminum foil or plastic wrap it will keep for 4 days.
Reheat any leftovers in the microwave until warm and melty.
Helpful Tips For This Recipe
Microwave the pepperonis for 15 to 30 seconds on a paper towel lined plate.
Make just the pizza dip if you want to skip the pizza dough balls. Cook the dip in a smaller skillet or baking dish and possibly for less time (just keep an eye on it).
Try other toppings: bacon, mushrooms, pepper jack cheese, red pepper flakes, fresh basil, bell peppers, sausage, ranch dressing, etc.