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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Cliona Keane says
You are so right, this would be amazing with garlic bread! I have got to give this a go soon!
foodtasticmom says
Yes, you do!
Angie says
Great for kids and adults! Would it be ok to add banana peppers next time or would it compromise the original ingredients? Amazing recipe! Thanks again!
foodtasticmom says
I think banana peppers would be a great addition! Just make sure you drain them before adding. Thanks Angie π
Courtney says
Really fun idea turning pizza into a dip! I know a few kids who would LOVE this at their next sleepover party.
foodtasticmom says
A sleepover is a great reason to make this dip. Thanks!
Tisha says
Love the idea of this dip for Game day!!!!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Tisha!
Gabi says
What a fantastic party food – it will be the hit for any pizza lover! I like that you can combine it also with naan bread or tortilla chips.
foodtasticmom says
It is terrific party food. Thank you Gabi!
Valentina says
I can only imagine how much the kids loved this! I am certain mine would be thrilled to find this a party — or on the dinner table. π
foodtasticmom says
Thank you so much Valentina!
Jessica Formicola says
This dip would be so perfect for game day! I love it!
foodtasticmom says
Yes, we love it on game day!
Nichole M. says
Made a quadruple batch for a work food day… didn’t even last until lunch!!! Ah-mazzzz-ing!
foodtasticmom says
I love, love, love hearing this! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and rate the recipe. So glad you all enjoyed it!
Julia says
How did you quadruple it? The layers were not too thick?
Jen says
OMG – pizza dip?! My kids would LOVE me if I made this! Super creative. Great party food!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks Jen!
Sandi says
This is fantastic! Since we are Gluten Free we are trying to find ways to have pizza and this can easily be done for us!
foodtasticmom says
There you go! Just curious, what would use to dip into it?
Natalie says
Looks so delicious and decadent! Perfect for hosting too!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Natalie!
Tisha says
So creative and fun! Pizza lovers will devour this!!
foodtasticmom says
We absolutely devoured it π
Ron says
I grease the crock pot with the pepperoni grease. Infused flavor throughout!
foodtasticmom says
Great idea. Thanks for sharing!
Colleen says
I’ve never heard of a pizza dip, but this looks so yummy, and I need to try it for our next pot luck!
foodtasticmom says
You definitely need to try it. The dip does not last long!
Tracey says
Dip is delicious and easy to make! Definitely a keeper !ππ
foodtasticmom says
Wonderful to hear. So happy you like it!
Marie | DIY Adulation says
Omgosh, so much yum! I love that this is made in the slow cooker. My crockpot is my best friend when we’re entertaining. Thanks for the awesome recipe!
foodtasticmom says
You’re welcome. Come back and let me know what you think if you make it!
Luci's Morsels says
Oh. My. Goodness! This looks amazing!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you!
Jessica Robinson says
This dip would be AMAZING for our football Sunday watching! Looks delicious!
foodtasticmom says
Yes football is really what I had in mind when creating this dip recipe. Thanks π
Lisa Huff says
Such a fun idea turning pizza into a dip. My kids would be all over this!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Lisa
Shirley says
So when making a bigger batch of pizza dip⦠do I double every ingredient?
foodtasticmom says
Yes, double everything.
Natalie says
I never thought of making a pizza dip, but this looks and sounds delicious and perfect for game day with tortillas and chips!
foodtasticmom says
I hope you try it!
Regina says
What a creative dip! All the flavors of pizza in an appetizer sounds absolutely delicious
foodtasticmom says
Thanks Regina
Bill says
I actually mix everything through out so your not stuck with a bunch of cheese after a few bites. I use the grease from the pepperoni to grease the Crock-Pot.
foodtasticmom says
Sounds like great ideas. Thank you for sharing!