This is an easy cheesy pizza dip recipe that is made for the slow cooker! A perfect appetizer that will be a huge hit at your next gathering.
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I hadn’t made pizza dip before, but I decided it would be a kid-friendly appetizer to take to a New Year’s Eve party we attended. When researching recipes to try, I discovered feedback about the cheese not staying hot and melted if the dip sits out for too long. My fellow cheese lovers will agree that non melty cheese is the worst! So I decided to create this easy cheesy pizza dip recipe for the slow cooker.
More delicious dips
Why is this hot pizza dip recipe the best?
Because it includes both savory pepperoni and spicy sausage. The key to delicious pepperoni in the slow cooker is cooking it in the skillet first and then draining the grease. Crispy pepperoni is way better than soggy, overly greasy pepperoni. You need a skillet for browning the sausage anyway, so it’s not dirtying another dish to also cook the pepperoni. And if you read in the comments, some people use their air fryer or microwave to cook the pepperoni. I love when my readers give me tips to make my recipes even better, more user-friendly!
Ingredients for easy pizza dip
- Cream Cheese – use one, 8 ounce block of softened cream cheese to help hold all the other cheese together for the cheesy base of this dip.
- Mozzarella Cheese – I prefer buying a ball or block of cheese and shredding it myself because I think it tastes and melts better.
- Parmesan Cheese – I prefer the grated (not shredded) Parmesan I find in the specialty cheese section, but the green can works well too.
- Italian Salad Dressing Mix – I use Good Seasons brand in this recipe. You could use a combination of Italian seasoning and garlic powder instead.
- Spicy Italian Sausage – Use a 16 ounce roll of uncooked sausage, Bob Evans brand is my personal favorite – and if you don’t like spice, use a mild Italian sausage.
- Pizza Sauce – use a 13.5 ounce jar of sauce, I try and find a brand with a lower sugar content. Or use an equal amount of your favorite marinara sauce.
- Mini Pepperoni – in this case, I think size does matter – the mini pepperoni is better for dipping.
- Dippers – Crusty bread slices, like garlic bread or baguette slices work well with this pizza dip. I like it with sliced green peppers too. Pita chips or tortilla chips could even work.
Can I add other toppings?
Top this dip with your personal favorite pizza toppings! Sliced green or black olives, chopped green bell peppers, cooked onions or mushrooms, all would make great additions or substitutions to this dip recipe. Add some red pepper flakes as well if you like things spicy.
How long does pizza dip last?
Keep it in your slow cooker on the warm setting and it will last for a couple of hours at a party.
What size slow cooker to use?
I use a 6-quart Crock-Pot to test all of my recipes on Foodtastic Mom. For a single recipe of this dip, a 4-quart slow cooker would be even more ideal.
How many calories are in pizza dip?
Based on eight servings (and not including dippers) this pizza dip recipe is 196 calories per serving.
Storage directions
This dip will reheat well. Store any leftovers in an airtight container. The dip will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Can you freeze pizza dip?
I don’t think this dip would freeze well because of the cream cheese layer. And based on the reader comments, it is so popular at gatherings that leftovers are scarce. Any leftovers you might have, store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Microwave to re-heat the dip to serve.
Kitchen tools
- I use a 6-quart slow cooker to test all of my recipes
- Use a non-stick frying pan for both browning the sausage and cooking the pepperoni
Video
Pizza Dip
Equipment
- slow cooker
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded and divided
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 packet Italian dressing mix I used Good Seasons brand
- 16 oz spicy Italian sausage
- 1 jar (13.5 oz) pizza sauce
- 1 pkg (5 oz) mini pepperoni
- Naan or garlic bread for dipping
Instructions
- With a hand or stand mixer, combine the softened cream cheese with one cup of the shredded mozzarella, Parmesan and Italian seasoning.
- In a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, cook the pepperoni until starting to crisp. Drain the pepperoni and wipe the skillet clean.
- In the same skillet, brown the sausage and add the pizza sauce. Stir until well combined.
- Grease the inside of a 4 to 6 quart slow cooker. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly into the bottom of the slow cooker insert. Top the cream cheese mixture with the sausage and pizza sauce. Top the sauce with the remaining one cup of mozzarella cheese. Top the cheese with the crisp pepperoni.
- Cook on LOW heat for at least one hour before serving. Serve the dip with Naan bread or garlic bread for dipping.
Nutrition
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Michael says
This dip is outrageously delicious. I double the recipe and there’s never any leftover. I serve with garlic bread, mini color peppers sliced in half, and crackers. I do stir everything together about 15 minutes before serving because I want everything in each bite. I add red pepper flakes and a small can of sliced black olives.
Vickie says
This is a family favorite at Thanksgiving! Thank you so much for the recipe 😊
foodtasticmom says
I love hearing this. Thank you!
Bobbi says
Has anyone prepared this the day, placing all ingredients in crockpot then turning on the day of party? I am crunched for time. Thoughts?
foodtasticmom says
I’m sorry for the late reply. Yes! I made it the day ahead myself recently and it worked!
Gerry says
If I want to double or triple the recipe, would I just do extra layers so tithe won’t have the parts too thick or not?
foodtasticmom says
That’s a good point. Yes, I think you should do two layers of everything.
Anjali says
This pizza dip was so amazing and I couldn’t believe how easy it was to make!! My kids absolutely devoured it with some pizza bread for dipping!
foodtasticmom says
Great! I always love getting feedback the kids love my recipes too!
Emily Flint says
I have to confess, I made this for my son but I ate a lot of it too! It was so good and the perfect dish for our party! YUM!
foodtasticmom says
It’s a crowd-pleaser for all ages. So happy you both enjoyed it!
Tara says
Oh yum! I love how the cheese stays hot and melty with the use of the slow cooker. The flavors sound fantastic with the combination of pepperoni and Italian sausage.
foodtasticmom says
The slow cooker is really the way to go when it comes to pizza dip. I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
MJ says
Well this pizza dip was a huge hit and we will definitely be making it again! The kids especially loved it.
foodtasticmom says
My kids love it too. Pretty much everyone I have served it to has raved about it. Gotta love a crowd pleaser!
Tayler Ross says
This pizza dip is a family favorite! We make it all the time and everyone loves it!
foodtasticmom says
So happy to hear this Tayler. Thank you!
Caitlin says
This pizza dip is so tasty!! So easy to make and delicious!
foodtasticmom says
Wonderful news. Thank you for taking the time to come back and comment!
Mahy says
I am so ready to start dipping now. This recipe is absolutely amazing – simple and easy!
foodtasticmom says
It really is. Thank you Mahy!
Nathan says
I can’t wait to try this dip, I love the suggestion to add some olives and mushrooms for extra flavor. Thanks for the recipe!
foodtasticmom says
You’re welcome!
Mike says
Delicious recipe, it is always requested.
Tips: use pepperoni grease to grease the slow cooker and mix the cream cheese and sauce and some pepperonis, if not you will eat everything and be left with a slow cooker of cream cheese.
foodtasticmom says
This is a seriously great tip! Thank you for sharing it!
Andrea says
My family and friends will devour this fantastic dip in no time! It’s a perfect appetizer for any occasion.
foodtasticmom says
This pizza dip is definitely a crowd-pleasing recipe. Thanks for the review!
sue says
I made this for a family gathering. It was the one dish that no one could stop eating. Adults and kids beg for it now
foodtasticmom says
So happy to hear this! Thanks for taking the time to rate and review. Happy Holidays!
Amy says
We had an office party on National Pizza Day. I wanted to make something a little different than everyone bringing their favorite slices of pizza. People raved and asked me for the recipe. Which I did share your site with them!!! Thank you so much for looking outside of the box!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you so much for sharing my website with your co-workers! I really appreciate that, and I’m so happy you all enjoyed the Pizza Dip!
Barbara says
I put together night before except pepperoni. Next morning I put pepperoni in air fryer for short time…cooked perfectly , then headed out of town to tailgate. Dip cooked in crock at tailgate. IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!! It had so much flavor that I just ate it with a fork and skipped the bread/chips/ etc. It is hard to find recipes that you can fix ahead of time, then withstand a day in the crockpot while tailgating. Thank you.
foodtasticmom says
Love this tip about crisping up the pepperoni in the air fryer. I’m going to do that next time I make it. Thanks so much for the positive review. So happy you enjoyed it!!
Michelle says
Sooo good! Just like a pizza in a crockpot! It’s addictive!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you for this positive review and comment.
Pam says
What a fun idea that kids and adults will love. I can think of lots of idea for different “dippers” too!
foodtasticmom says
Mixing up the dippers is fun.
Marie-Charlotte Chatelain says
Pizza crust is overrated! I like the way you think, haha! what a treat!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks Marie-Charlotte 🙂
Jo says
Fantastic party dip for pizza lovers that gets rave reviews every single time. Will be making it again and again!
foodtasticmom says
So great to hear!