Easy Pizza Dip
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read the full disclosure here.
This hot pizza dip made with cream cheese is baked with built-in seasoned bread dippers. Feel free to add your favorite toppings! Recipe includes instructions for omitting the rolls.
YOUR NEW FAVORITE WAY TO “PIZZA”
If you’re anything like me, pizza is one of those foods that you never quite tire of. In fact, my tortilla pizza recipe is not only one of the most popular recipes on my site, but it’s the recipe that we frequent the most in our own house. Personally, it’s my favorite lunch!
This pepperoni pizza dip recipe came from my desire to serve pizza at a holiday gathering without actually serving pizza. It gives folks the tastes, textures, and experiences of eating pizza without carrying around a slice nor feeling like they have to commit to that much pizza when there may be other goodies around.
Not only that, but if you have a child who likes pizza but wants to dictate the sauce and cheese to bread ratio, they can scoop and dip accordingly (just a hypothetical situation here, no experience with any of my children, goodness no…).
BONUS POINTS: this pizza dip comes with its own dippers. I love a food that helps me love it more!
PIZZA DIP INGREDIENTS
Something else you’ll love about this easy pizza dip recipe is how short the ingredient list is. And if you’re looking for a fully loaded pizza dip, you can find suggestions for how to make that happen further down in the post.
For this cheesy pizza dip, you will need:
• frozen dinner rolls
• unsalted butter
• garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• cream cheese
• shredded mozzarella cheese
• pepperoni slices
• pizza sauce
USE FROZEN DINNER ROLLS FOR THIS PIZZA DIP RECIPE
The key to beginning this cream cheese pizza dip is frozen dinner rolls. Did you know these were a thing? They make life so simple!
You can find frozen dinner rolls in, surprise, the frozen section of your grocery store. They’re usually in a section labeled “bread” where you’ll find things like Texas Toast, frozen pizza dough, and bags or packages of little individual rolls.
If you’re feeling really ambitious, you can use my easy yeast rolls recipe, which I would suggest halving, and go for gold.
But the idea here is that this recipe for pizza dip is easy. Yeah, those yeast rolls are easy, but we’re also trying to keep this whole thing quick and simple.
HOW TO MAKE PIZZA DIP WITH CREAM CHEESE
I know, this whole setup might look complicated and time-consuming, but I promise you that it is not. It is downright easy as (pizza) pie.
STEP #1
Line the outer rim of a large cast iron skillet with 12 to 16 balls of dough, leaving the center open. Allow the rolls to thaw for 15 minutes while you prepare the rest of the dip.
STEP #2
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning, then stir together to combine and set it aside.
STEP #3
Next, beat the cream cheese on medium-high speed until smooth.
STEP #4
Cut or tear 12 of the pepperoni slices into quarters (if using standard size) and add them to the cream cheese mixture. If using mini slices, add about ¾ of the full amount. Add half of the mozzarella cheese and beat the mixture again until everything is combined, then set this mixture aside.
STEP #5
Brush the rolls with seasoned butter, then bake the buttered rolls for 20 minutes.
STEP #6
Remove the rolls from the oven and pour ¼ cup of the pizza sauce into the bottom of the skillet. Pour the cream cheese and pepperoni mixture on top of the sauce and gently spread evenly with a large spatula. Cover the cream cheese mixture with the remaining ½ cup of pizza sauce, followed by the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and finishing with the pepperoni slices.
STEP #7
Bake and enjoy!
WHAT TO SERVE WITH PIZZA DIP
While this dip does come with its own pizza dippers of the breaded variety, you can absolutely serve it with other dippers.
More pizza dippers to consider:
• breadsticks
• baguette slices
• tortilla chips
• crackers
• carrot or celery sticks
• zucchini fries
MAKE THIS SKILLET PIZZA DIP IN ANOTHER TYPE OF DISH
You don’t have to make this pizza dip in a skillet if you don’t want to! I just find it to be an easy
Simply follow the instructions in an 8″ or 9″ baking dish– round or square will do just fine.
CAN I MAKE THIS PEPPERONI PIZZA DIP WITHOUT THE ROLLS?
You can also just completely leave the rolls out of it and make them on the side, or use something else entirely to dip.
It’s truly versatile and the only thing you really need to know is that this dip is out of this world and you need it. Regardless of what it’s dipped with or without.
Hands down.
CAN I MAKE THIS DIP WITH RICOTTA CHEESE?
While I prefer my pizza dip recipe with cream cheese, you can certainly use ricotta if you prefer the taste or texture. I find cream cheese melts better and lends better to this dip, but there is no real issue with this swap. You do not need to adjust anything else in the recipe.
CAN I ADD EXTRA PIZZA TOPPINGS TO THIS DIP?
Feel free to get creative with your toppings. You can add anything you like to the cream cheese/mozzarella mixture, just keep in mind how long those additions may need in the oven (like green bell peppers).
If you’re serving this dip to a crowd, consider leaving the pepperoni out and put it on the side instead!
Other pizza toppings you might consider adding:
• olives
• sausage
• onions
• mushrooms
• bacon
• bell peppers
• red pepper flakes
• extra Italian seasoning
• grated Parmesan
MORE PIZZA INSPIRED SNACKS
Easy Pizza Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 to 16 frozen dinner rolls1
- ¼ cup (57g0 unsalted butter melted
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 8 ounces (227g) full-fat block cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 8 ounces (225g) shredded mozzarella cheese2 divided (about 2 cups)
- pepperoni slices3 divided
- ¾ cup (180g) pizza sauce divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF (204ºC).
- Line the outer rim of a large (8-10") cast iron skillet3 with 12 to 16 balls of dough, leaving the center open. Allow rolls to thaw for 15 minutes while you prepare the rest of the dip.12 to 16 frozen dinner rolls1
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Stir together to combine. Set aside.¼ cup (57g0 unsalted butter, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- In a large bowl with a handheld mixer or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium-high speed until smooth.8 ounces (227g) full-fat block cream cheese
- Cut or tear 12 of the pepperoni slices into quarters (if using standard size) and add them to the cream cheese mixture. If using mini slices, add about ¾ of the full amount. Add half of the mozzarella cheese (about 1 cup) and beat the mixture again until everything is combined. Set aside.pepperoni slices3, 8 ounces (225g) shredded mozzarella cheese2
- Brush the rolls with seasoned butter, then bake the buttered rolls for 20 minutes.
- Remove rolls from the oven and pour ¼ cup of the pizza sauce into the bottom of the skillet. Pour the cream cheese and pepperoni mixture on top of the sauce and gently spread evenly with a large spatula. Cover cream cheese mixture with remaining ½ cup of pizza sauce, followed by the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and finishing with the pepperoni slices (I like to halve the remaining 4 standard slices and keep the mini ones whole).¾ cup (180g) pizza sauce
- Bake the dip for 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and rolls are golden brown. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before serving. To store leftovers, remove rolls from the skillet and store separately from dip in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Dip freezes well, up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat as needed.
Notes
- Frozen dinner rolls: the frozen rolls I like to use for this pizza dip are about 1.5 to 2″ in diameter. You can use frozen pizza dough and roll it into balls, if you like. Aim for about 1″ in diameter before placing in the baking pan.
- Mozzarella cheese: I like to shred my own fresh mozzarella, which gives a creamier texture. Feel free to use pre-shredded.
- Pepperoni slices: I have used standard and mini size pepperoni for this dip. If using mini, I use about 32 pieces. If using standard size, I use 16.
- Skillet: you can make this in a traditional 8-10″ baking pan or dish, any shape. You can also omit the bread completely. Skip the instructions and ingredients regarding the bread and bake in any size baking dish.
Nutrition Disclosure
All nutritional values are approximate and provided to the reader as a courtesy. Changing ingredients and/or quantities will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
You should make that for Peggy’s Christmas Day – except – I’m not going to be there. Boo-hoo
We will miss you, Nanny!
Oven ran a little hot and browned the outer cheese a bit more than expected but the dip is phenomenal! I brushed my rolls with butter & seasonings as well. Next time I’ll use less rolls!
Nothing wrong with a little toasted cheese– thanks, Ayla!
PERFECT. This was so good.
Thanks so much, Starr!
I used crescent rolls. So so good!
Awesome! Glad to hear it, Brandi.
SO good!!
Thank you, Lilly!
Thanks so much, Lilly!
This is a great and amazing recipe. I technically love this one. Skillet really has a big help. Aside to that pepperoni can we used ham and pineapple?
Of course! Would love to hear how it works out.
Is there a way to do this gluten-free? I don’t know if packaged/frozen gluten-free dinner rolls exist. I’m open to any suggestions because I’d love to give this a try!
Hey, Celeste– I’m sure they exist! And if you can’t find any, let me know. I can direct you to one of my GF friends’ sites!
Yes, please let me know of your friend’s gluten free website 🙂 I did a quick google search, and this is what came up: https://www.google.com/search?q=gluten+free+packaged+frozen+dinner+rolls&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari … not sure if one of those would work better than the others.
This is my friend Brianne: https://cupcakesandkalechips.com/gluten-free-dinner-rolls/