This Ultimate Pizza Dip is loaded with cheese, pepperoni and sausage and is made for the slow cooker.
I hadn’t made pizza dip before but I decided it would be a kid-friendly appetizer to take to the 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. And since our dip was going to be sitting out for several hours I knew I needed to make this dip in my slow cooker.
This is the ultimate pizza dip because I included both pepperoni and spicy sausage. The key to delicious pepperoni in the slow cooker is to crisp it up in the skillet first and drain the grease. Crispy pepperoni is the ultimate, right? No soggy and overly greasy pepperoni here! You need the skillet for browning the sausage anyway so it’s not dirtying another dish.
The dip is layered before cooking. Cheese layer on the bottom, followed by the sausage and pizza sauce, followed by shredded mozzarella and the crispy pepperoni.
Tips for making Ultimate Pizza Dip:
- A smaller slow cooker like this one is ideal for this dip, but a 6-quart size slow cooker works too
- This naan bread is what I used for dipping
- Garlic bread slices would make fantastic dippers for this pizza dip as well
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Watch how to make Ultimate Pizza Dip:
Ultimate Pizza Dip
This Ultimate Pizza Dip is loaded with cheese, pepperoni and sausage and is made for the 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
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With a hand or stand mixer, combine the softened cream cheese with one cup of the shredded mozzarella, Parmesan and Italian seasoning.
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In a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, cook the pepperoni until starting to crisp. Drain the pepperoni and wipe the skillet clean.
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In the same skillet, brown the sausage and add the pizza sauce. Stir until well combined.
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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.
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Cook on LOW heat for at least one hour before serving. Serve the dip with Naan bread or garlic bread for dipping.
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!
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!
Lisa Huff says
Such a fun idea turning pizza into a dip. My kids would be all over this!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Lisa
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 🙂
Luci's Morsels says
Oh. My. Goodness! This looks amazing!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you!
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!
Tracey says
Dip is delicious and easy to make! Definitely a keeper !😊😊
foodtasticmom says
Wonderful to hear. So happy you like it!
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!
Tisha says
So creative and fun! Pizza lovers will devour this!!
foodtasticmom says
We absolutely devoured it 🙂
Ron says
I grease the crock pot with the pepperoni grease. Infused flavor throughout!
foodtasticmom says
Great idea. Thanks for sharing!
Natalie says
Looks so delicious and decadent! Perfect for hosting too!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Natalie!
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?
Jen says
OMG – pizza dip?! My kids would LOVE me if I made this! Super creative. Great party food!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks Jen!
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?
Jessica Formicola says
This dip would be so perfect for game day! I love it!
foodtasticmom says
Yes, we love it on game day!
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. 🙂
foodtasticmom says
Thank you so much Valentina!
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!
Tisha says
Love the idea of this dip for Game day!!!!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Tisha!
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!
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 🙂
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!
Tayler Ross says
This dip would be great to serve on New Years Eve! Perfect for game day too!
foodtasticmom says
I agree!
Shanika says
This Pizza Dip sounds and looks good! It sounds like the perfect way to kick off the weekend!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks Shanika!
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!
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!
kim says
what a fabulous appetizer! This one will be great for game day!
foodtasticmom says
Absolutely!
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!
Debra says
Would it work without the sausage?
foodtasticmom says
Yes, you can leave out the sausage
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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 🙂
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!
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 🙂
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!!
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!
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.
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!
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!
Marie-Charlotte Chatelain says
Pizza crust is overrated! I like the way you think, haha! what a treat!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks Marie-Charlotte 🙂
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.
Michelle says
Sooo good! Just like a pizza in a crockpot! It’s addictive!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you for this positive review and comment.
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!!