Description
This Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip is a deliciously layered appetizer combining creamy cheese, savory sausage, spicy pepperoni, and a touch of sweet heat from hot honey. Baked to bubbly perfection and served warm with garlic butter crostini, it’s perfect for game day, parties, or any casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Cheese Mixture
- ½ cup sausage meat (honey garlic, mild or hot Italian, or 2 sausages with casing removed)
- 8 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature, 1 brick, 250 grams)
- ½ cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
- ⅓ cup parmesan cheese (grated)
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 1 cup mozzarella (shredded)
- 1 cup mini pepperoni (or regular size cut into quarters)
- 4 tbsp parmesan cheese (grated, for garnish)
Sauce and Garnish
- 1 cup pizza sauce (or marinara sauce)
- 4 leaves fresh basil (sliced, for garnish)
- Hot honey (to drizzle)
Garlic Bread Crostini
- 1 baguette (cut into ½ inch thick slices, cut diagonally on an angle)
- 3 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375℉ (190℃). Grease an oven-safe baking dish or skillet lightly with cooking spray. For the garlic bread crostini, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and spray it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, mix the melted 3 tablespoons of butter with the minced garlic. Using a brush, coat both sides of each baguette slice with the garlic butter. Arrange the slices on the prepared baking sheet and set aside.
- Cook Sausage: Place the ½ cup sausage meat in a small frying pan over medium heat. Crumble and cook until it starts to get crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat and set the cooked sausage aside to cool slightly.
- Make Cheese Base: In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese, and dried oregano. Mix until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Layer the Dip: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Carefully spread 1 cup of pizza sauce on top of the cream cheese layer, creating distinct layers—do not mix.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauce layer. Distribute the sausage crumbles, then scatter the mini pepperoni over the cheese.
- Bake Dip Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the oven for 6-8 minutes, or until the dip starts bubbling around the edges.
- Crisp Pepperoni: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 1-2 minutes, allowing the pepperoni to crisp up nicely on top.
- Bake Crostini: Place the prepared baking sheet with the garlic bread crostini in the oven about 5 minutes after putting the dip in. Bake the crostini for 4-5 minutes until they are golden brown and slightly toasted, flipping each piece halfway through baking for even crispiness.
- Remove from Oven: Take out both the dip and crostini once done baking and allow them to cool slightly.
- Garnish Dip: Optionally, sprinkle the dip with the sliced fresh basil leaves and grated parmesan cheese for added freshness and flavor.
- Serve: Drizzle hot honey generously over the warm dip. Serve immediately alongside the warm garlic crostini for dipping and enjoy the perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and savory flavors.
Notes
- For a tangier flavor, use plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
- Adjust the amount of hot honey drizzle to your preference for sweetness and heat.
- Use mild or hot Italian sausage depending on your spice tolerance.
- Mini pepperoni can be substituted with regular pepperoni cut into small pieces.
- The garlic butter crostini can be made ahead and reheated just before serving.
- Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother base.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
