This easy Pepperoni Dip with Cream Cheese is the perfect game-day appetizer—rich, cheesy, and baked until warm and bubbly.
Game days are a real event at our house. Each weekend we gather friends and family and serve an assortment of dips and small bites. We’ve made bruschetta flatbread pizza and cast iron spinach artichoke dip in recent weeks, but this savory, cheesy Pepperoni Dip is a consistent crowd-pleaser.
After a few iterations we landed on a combo that works every time: blending softened cream cheese with pizza sauce creates a creamy, savory base that tastes like a pepperoni pizza—without the crust.
Why We Love Pepperoni Dip with Cream Cheese
- Super simple to prepare—minimal prep and easy assembly: mix the base, top with cheese and pepperoni, and bake.
- All the familiar pizza flavors but without the crust—an ideal low-carb, gluten-free option.
- Highly customizable—you can add sausage, olives, bell peppers, or other favorite pizza toppings.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Cream Cheese – Use full-fat cream cheese for the best texture and flavor. Be sure the cream cheese is softened so it blends smoothly.
Pizza Sauce – A good store-bought pizza sauce works well. If you use a homemade sauce, plan for roughly 1 3/4 cups to match the recipe yield.
Pepperoni – Mini pepperoni is convenient and requires no chopping, but cupping pepperoni, turkey pepperoni, or pepperoni bites all work nicely.
Cheese – Mozzarella is classic here. Mixing mozzarella with Parmesan or another sharp cheese boosts the flavor if you want a more complex profile.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and full instructions.
How to Make Pepperoni Dip with Cream Cheese In The Oven
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2: In a small baking dish combine softened cream cheese, pizza sauce, and half the pepperoni. Stir until smooth and evenly mixed.
Step 3: Spread shredded mozzarella over the top, then arrange the remaining pepperoni in an even layer.
Step 4: Bake 15–20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the dip is bubbly. Serve hot with chips, bread, or veggies.
How to Make Pepperoni Dip with Cream Cheese In a Crock Pot
Step 1: Spray the inside of the crock pot with nonstick spray. Add softened cream cheese, pizza sauce, and half the pepperoni, stirring to combine.
Step 2: Top with mozzarella and the remaining pepperoni.
Step 3: Cover and cook on LOW for 1–2 hours, until hot and the cheese is melted. Switch to WARM for serving.
Recipe Tips
- Avoid broiling with pepperoni on top; it can burn quickly. Broil only if the pepperoni is mixed into the dip beneath the cheese.
- If you use full-size pepperoni, chop it finely so you don’t end up with large, uneven bites.
- Add garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or red pepper flakes to taste for extra flavor or heat.
Must-Try Flavor Variations
Meat Lovers – Stir in cooked crumbled sausage and crispy bacon for a heartier dip.
Hawaiian – Add chopped ham and pineapple for a sweet-and-savory twist.
Veggie – Mix in olives, bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions for a full veggie-packed option.
Ways to Serve Pepperoni Dip with Cream Cheese
- Serve with tortilla chips, breadsticks, crackers, garlic knots, or flatbread.
- For a low-carb option, offer sliced bell peppers, cucumber rounds, or other raw veggies for dipping.
- Use the dip as a base for stromboli or spoon onto crostini for mini pizza bites.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second bursts until warm and bubbly.
More Recipes To Try
-
Best Ever Green Chile Artichoke Dip
-
Best Ever Air Fryer Cauliflower Parmesan
-
Cheesy Vegetarian White Bean Buffalo Dip
-
The Best Paprika Dip
If you tried this Pepperoni Dip with Cream Cheese or another recipe from the site, please leave a star rating and share your feedback in the comments. Thanks for visiting!
Pepperoni Dip with Cream Cheese
Kate
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup Mozzarella
- ½ cup small pepperoni slices
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
-
In a baking dish, combine softened cream cheese, pizza sauce, half the pepperoni, Italian seasoning, and garlic. Top with mozzarella and remaining pepperoni.
-
Bake 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve hot.
Notes
Tips:
- Don’t broil unless the pepperoni is mixed into the dip.
- If using regular-sized pepperoni, chop it to avoid large chunks in a single bite.
- Add garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or red pepper flakes for extra flavor.