Description

This Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip is a crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for parties or casual get-togethers. Featuring a creamy base layered with savory pizza sauce, melty mozzarella, crispy sausage crumbles, and spicy mini pepperoni, all baked until bubbly and topped with a drizzle of sweet and spicy hot honey. Served warm with garlicky toasted baguette slices, this dip brings the flavors of a classic pizza into a shareable, irresistible dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

½ cup sausage meat (honey garlic, mild or hot Italian, or 2 sausages with casing removed)
1 cup mini pepperoni (or regular size cut into quarters)

Dairy & Cheese

8 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature, 1 brick, 250 grams)
½ cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
1/3 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
1 cup mozzarella (shredded)
4 tbsp parmesan cheese (grated, for garnish)

Produce & Herbs

4 leaves fresh basil (sliced, for garnish)
1 clove garlic (minced)

Pantry

1 cup pizza sauce (or marinara sauce)
½ tsp dried oregano
1 baguette (cut into ½ inch thick slices, cut diagonally on an angle)
3 tablespoons butter (melted)
Hot honey (to drizzle)

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375℉. Grease an oven-safe baking dish or skillet with cooking spray. If making garlic bread crostini, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and spray with cooking spray.
Prepare Garlic Bread Crostini: In a small bowl, mix melted butter with minced garlic. Brush both sides of baguette slices with the garlic butter mixture. Arrange on the prepared baking sheet and set aside.
Cook Sausage: In a small frying pan, cook the sausage meat over medium heat. Crumble into small pieces as it cooks until just beginning to crisp. Drain any excess fat and set aside to cool.
Mix Cream Cheese Layer: In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, and dried oregano. Stir until smooth and creamy.
Layer the Dip: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly in the greased baking dish. Then gently spread pizza sauce over the cream cheese layer without mixing.
Add Toppings: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the sauce. Scatter the cooked sausage crumbles and mini pepperoni evenly on top.
Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 6-8 minutes until the dip starts to bubble.
Crisp Pepperoni: Remove the foil and bake for another 1-2 minutes until the pepperoni crisps up.
Bake Crostini: About 5 minutes after placing the dip in the oven, put the crostini on the middle rack. Bake for 4-5 minutes or until golden brown and toasted, flipping halfway through.
Remove from Oven: Take out both the dip and crostini once finished baking.
Garnish: Optionally, sprinkle sliced fresh basil and grated Parmesan over the hot dip.
Serve: Drizzle hot honey over the dip. Serve warm alongside the garlic bread crostini for dipping and enjoy!

Notes

Sausage varieties can be mild or spicy depending on your preference; honey garlic sausage adds a sweet note.
To make it easier, mini pepperoni can be substituted with quartered regular pepperoni slices.
Using room temperature cream cheese ensures easier mixing and a smoother base.
For a tangier dip, substitute sour cream with plain Greek yogurt.
Make sure not to mix the pizza sauce with the cream cheese layer to maintain distinct flavor layers.
Hot honey can be purchased pre-made or made by gently warming honey infused with chili flakes or hot sauce.
Leftovers store well refrigerated and reheat in the oven for best texture.