This is an easy cheesy hot pizza dip recipe that is made for the slow cooker! A perfect appetizer that will be a huge hit at your next gathering.
If you like this recipe, check out my Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip next!
See all of my slow cooker dip recipes.
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Pizza dip is my MVP appetizer during football season. Everyone loves it! When originally researching the recipe, I found one complaint about pizza dip. When baked in the oven it doesn’t stay hot for long. So I made my pizza dip recipe specifically for the slow cooker (Crock-Pot). That way it stays hot and delicious, with cheese that is still gooey and melted.
How long to cook pizza dip in the slow cooker
Cook pizza dip in the slow cooker on HIGH for 1 hour, then turn it to the WARM setting to serve. It stays hot and melty for a few hours at your party or tailgate.
More delicious dips
- Crockpot Taco Dip
- Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Skyline Chili Dip
- Slow Cooker Jalapeño Popper Dip
- Slow Cooker Mexican Street Corn Dip
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. 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. Half a packet is about 2 teaspoons of seasoning.
- 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 your favorite brand of pizza sauce. Jars are usually 13.5 or 14 ounces. Or use an equal amount of your favorite marinara sauce.
- Mini Pepperoni – In this case, I think size does matter – the mini pepperoni slices are 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. Garlic bagel chips, pita or naan bread, crackers or even tortilla chips work well too for dipping.
Instructions
With a hand or stand mixer in a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with one cup of the shredded Mozzarella, Parmesan and Italian seasoning. You can also stir it by hand. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly into the bottom of the slow cooker insert.
In a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, brown the sausage and add the pizza sauce. Stir until well combined. Pour it over the cream cheese layer in the slow cooker insert.
In the same skillet that you’ve wiped clean, cook the pepperoni until starting to crisp. You can drain the pepperoni before adding it to the slow cooker. It’s up to you.
Top the sauce layer in the slow cooker with the remaining cup mozzarella cheese. Top the cheese with the crisp pepperoni. Cook on high heat for one hour before serving. Turn to the warm setting to serve.
Keep scrolling for my printable recipe card and updated video tutorial!
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. Sprinkle on some red pepper flakes as well if you like things really spicy.
How long does pizza dip last?
Keep it in your slow cooker on the warm setting and it will last for a few of hours at your party, tailgate or other gathering.
What size slow cooker to use?
I use a 6-quart Crock-Pot to test all of my recipes. For a single recipe of this dip, a 2.5-quart Crock-Pot would be even more ideal.
Storage directions
This dip will reheat well. Store any leftovers in an airtight container. The dip will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3 – 4 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 3 – 4 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
- 1 slow cooker
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese shredded and divided
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp Italian dressing mix I used Good Seasons brand
- 16 oz spicy Italian sausage
- 14 oz pizza sauce
- 5 oz mini pepperoni
Instructions
- With a hand or stand mixer, combine the softened cream cheese with one cup of the shredded mozzarella, Parmesan and Italian seasoning. You can also stir it by hand. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly into the bottom of the slow cooker insert.
- In a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, brown the sausage and add the pizza sauce. Stir until well combined. Pour it over the cream cheese layer in the slow cooker insert.
- In the same skillet that you've wiped clean, cook the pepperoni until starting to crisp. You can drain the pepperoni before adding it to the slow cooker. It's up to you.
- Top the sauce layer in the slow cooker with the remaining one cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Top the cheese with the crisp pepperoni.
- Cook on high heat for one hour before serving. Turn to the warm setting to serve.
Nutrition
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kim says
Love this recipe! It was super easy and had so much delicious flavor! Will definitely make again!
foodtasticmom says
Happy to hear this, thank for the positive review!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
This is a dip that would certainly go down a treat in my house! It looks utterly delicious.
foodtasticmom says
Thank you very much Bintu.
Deb says
I have made this dip in both a crockpot and in pie pans for the oven. I have even frozen it uncooked (oven way) and taken it out last minute and baked it. A very sturdy and easy dip. Also could bake and freeze it. Great for college kids in a dorm to reheat in a microwave. I add veggies as well.
foodtasticmom says
Great to hear that it can be frozen. Thanks for the positive comment and rating!
Eden | Sweet Tea and Thyme says
Ah-May-Zing! We love making this for play dates, the kids go absolutely bananas for it and all the adults love it, too.
foodtasticmom says
I hadn’t thought about it for play dates. Great idea!!
Cathy says
This is just making my mouth water! This is perfect for any gathering and to bring to any party! One dip that everyone will love!
foodtasticmom says
I’ve taken it to multiple parties and everyone does love it. Thanks 🙂
Julia says
I would have hard time sharing this dip 🙂 Looks delicious!
foodtasticmom says
Yep. The only issue I have with it is that I eat too much!
Tracy says
Pizza in a dip?! Amazing. Pizza in a dip that can be made in the CROCK POT?! Genius!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Tracy 🙂
Lisa Bryan says
OMG – this is such a brilliant idea! Will definitely have to give this a try!
foodtasticmom says
Come back and let us know what you think!
Lauren Vavala | DeliciousLittleBites says
Oh yum! I just love the idea of turning pizza into a dip – perfect for the big game!!
foodtasticmom says
It’s always in my rotation during football season! Thanks Lauren!
Juli says
Pizza dip sounds yummy! This would be a great appetizer for a Super Bowl party! Thank you for sharing!
foodtasticmom says
It is perfect for tomorrow. It stays warm through the whole game!
Colleen says
What an awesome recipe! Pizza in a dip form sounds divine, and using the slow cooker makes it even better.
foodtasticmom says
I could not agree more. Thank you Colleen!
Julia says
You can’t go wrong with pizza dip, right? Love that you used naan bread for dipping – next time I make pizza dip I will buy naan to go with it 🙂
foodtasticmom says
Thanks very much Julia!
Lauren says
Sounds delicious! I don’t have a slow cooker or crockpot. Can I just put everything in a pot on top of the stove and heat on low until the cheese melts and all is hot? I’d brown mushroom slices and add those, too
foodtasticmom says
Browned mushrooms are a great addition. Since it is a layered dip, I think it might be better to layer it in a glass baking dish. Shallow is better so people can dip into all the layers at once. I’d grease a baking dish and bake at 350 degrees until everything is melted and bubbling – probably 25 or 30 minutes? The slow cooker is just to keep it warm over the course of a party. But I think baking it will be fine!
Debra says
Would it work without the sausage?
foodtasticmom says
Yes, you can leave out the sausage
momof1teen says
Can you add pretty much any kind of pizza topping ? Like bacon,black olives,onions,mushrooms ect……I can’t do spicy sausage cause of acid reflux….Do you think I could use Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage (mild) in place of the Italian sausage…….Thanks in advance
foodtasticmom says
Yes. You can definitely customize this recipe with your own favorite ingredients!
Amanda says
On watery veggies (mushrooms ect.), I would cook them up in a pan first to prevent extra water in dip.
foodtasticmom says
I totally agree. Thanks for the comment!
kim says
what a fabulous appetizer! This one will be great for game day!
foodtasticmom says
Absolutely!
Traci says
Whoah baby! When you take my favorite food and turn it into a party dip…you just won me over! What a cool recipe…can’t wait to share this one 🙂
foodtasticmom says
Thanks so much Traci. I appreciate any shares!
Jillian says
This dip looks amazing! I really like that it can stay in the slow cooker so my guests can enjoy a warm dip all night long!
foodtasticmom says
Yes exactly. The key to melty cheese is keeping it warm in a slow cooker!
Shanika says
This Pizza Dip sounds and looks good! It sounds like the perfect way to kick off the weekend!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks Shanika!
Tayler Ross says
This dip would be great to serve on New Years Eve! Perfect for game day too!
foodtasticmom says
I agree!