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If you crave the perfect game-day snack or an irresistible appetizer that combines bold flavors with creamy comfort, this Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip Recipe is your new best friend. Picture a luscious layer of cream cheese blended smoothly with savory sausage, zesty pepperoni, bubbling mozzarella, and a drizzle of spicy-sweet hot honey that ties everything together in one unforgettable bite. It’s like a pizza party in a bowl that’s insanely easy to make and guaranteed to disappear fast at any gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is half the fun and ensures each layer of this dip shines through. Each component brings something special—whether it’s that punch of protein, creamy texture, or the fresh pop of herbaceous brightness.
- Sausage meat (½ cup): Choose your favorite flavor—honey garlic, mild, or hot Italian—to add hearty, savory depth.
- Cream cheese (8 ounces): Softened to room temperature for the creamiest base that holds everything together.
- Sour cream (½ cup): Adds a gentle tang and lightens the richness of the cream cheese perfectly.
- Parmesan cheese (â…“ cup + 4 tbsp grated): Delivers a sharp, nutty aroma and a lovely golden finish on top.
- Dried oregano (½ tsp): A classic Italian herb that ties all the flavors into that comforting pizza vibe.
- Pizza sauce (1 cup): Use a rich marinara or your favorite store-bought sauce for that unmistakable tomato flair.
- Mozzarella cheese (1 cup shredded): The melty, gooey layer that makes every bite indulgent.
- Mini pepperoni (1 cup): Or quartered regular pepperoni—adds spicy, crispy bites of meaty goodness.
- Fresh basil leaves (4): Thinly sliced to bring a fresh, aromatic lift and vibrant green contrast.
- Hot honey: The secret ingredient that gives this dish a sweet heat you won’t stop craving.
- Baguette (1): Cut into half-inch thick slices, angled for perfect garlic crostini to scoop up every cheesy bite.
- Butter (3 tbsp melted): Mixed with garlic for brushing the baguette slices, creating that golden, flavorful crunch.
- Garlic (1 clove minced): Adds a fragrant punch to the crostini that complements the dip spectacularly.
How to Make Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Dishes
Start by heating your oven to 375℉ and greasing an oven-safe dish or skillet. If you’re making garlic bread crostini, get a baking sheet ready by lining it with parchment or foil and spraying it with cooking spray. This little prep step ensures that your dip and bread bake perfectly without sticking, giving you stress-free cleanup later.
Step 2: Make Your Garlic Butter Crostini
Mix melted butter with minced garlic, then brush this heavenly combo on both sides of each baguette slice. Arrange them on the baking sheet and set aside until later. This step may seem small, but those crostinis will be the ideal crunchy counterpart to your creamy dip.
Step 3: Cook the Sausage Meat
In a small frying pan, cook the sausage meat, breaking it apart as it cooks until it crisps slightly. Drain out excess fat—this keeps the dip from getting greasy while preserving maximum flavor. Allow it to cool before adding to the dip layers.
Step 4: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Mixture
In a bowl, combine room temperature cream cheese, sour cream, grated parmesan, and oregano. Stir these together until silky smooth—this tangy, creamy base is the hallmark of the Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip Recipe and will make everyone swoon.
Step 5: Layer the Dip
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish. Then, gently layer pizza sauce on top without mixing—this helps keep distinct layers that melt into pizzalicious perfection. Next, sprinkle shredded mozzarella, followed by sausage crumbles and the pepperoni to create that classic pizza flavor profile in dip form.
Step 6: Bake to Melty Perfection
Cover with foil and bake for 6 to 8 minutes until the dip bubbles. Remove the foil and bake for another 1 to 2 minutes to get those pepperoni edges crisp and tempting. Meanwhile, pop your crostini in the oven for 4 to 5 minutes until golden and toasted, flipping halfway through. This timed juggling act ensures everything will be ready simultaneously!
Step 7: Garnish and Drizzle
Once out of the oven, add thin slices of fresh basil and a generous sprinkle of grated parmesan on top. Finish with a drizzle of hot honey that adds a playful heat and glossy sweetness—this final flourish embodies the soul of this Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip Recipe.
How to Serve Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh basil leaves and extra parmesan cheese make fantastic garnishes, elevating your dip with color, aroma, and that signature Italian freshness. The contrast between the creamy, cheesy layers and herbal brightness makes every bite pop.
Side Dishes
This dip loves company, so serve it alongside crunchy garlic crostini for dipping, fresh veggie sticks for a refreshing bite, or even a simple green salad to balance the richness. Pairing thoughtfully rounds out your spread and keeps guests happily munching.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving this dip in a cast iron skillet for a rustic, cozy vibe or divide it into small ramekins for individual servings at parties. You can also make mini bites by spooning the dip onto toasted baguette slices and adding a tiny basil leaf on top for a fancy finger food twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This dip keeps incredibly well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store it in an airtight container and cover it tightly to preserve moisture and flavor. Before reheating, give it a good stir to re-incorporate all the luscious layers.
Freezing
You can freeze this Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip Recipe without worry. Place it in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.
Reheating
Warm leftovers in the oven at 350℉ for 10-15 minutes or until hot and bubbly. If you’d rather microwave, heat in short bursts, stirring in between, to keep the cheese from separating. Adding a quick drizzle of fresh hot honey after reheating brings back that fresh-from-the-oven magic.
FAQs
Can I make this dip vegetarian?
Absolutely! Swap sausage and pepperoni for plant-based alternatives or load the dip with extra veggies like mushrooms, bell peppers, and olives to keep the flavor punch while skipping the meat.
Is hot honey difficult to find?
Not at all! Hot honey is widely available in grocery stores or online, and if you can’t find it, you can easily make your own by gently heating honey with crushed red pepper flakes.
Can I use regular yogurt instead of sour cream?
Yes, plain Greek yogurt works wonderfully as a tangy substitute that keeps the dip creamy while adding a bit of protein and lightness.
What type of sausage is best for this recipe?
Choose your favorite flavor—honey garlic, mild, or hot Italian sausages are all great. Just remove the casing before cooking to crumble the meat nicely into the dip.
How spicy is this dip?
The heat level depends mostly on the hot honey and sausage choice. You can control spiciness by selecting milder sausage and adjusting the amount of hot honey drizzle on top to suit your taste.
Final Thoughts
I cannot recommend the Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip Recipe enough if you want an awe-inspiring, crowd-pleasing treat that’s simple but wildly flavorful. It’s creamy, spicy, savory, and just sweet enough to keep everyone coming back for more. Whether you’re hosting a party or craving a cozy snack, this dip has your back—give it a try and watch as it becomes your go-to favorite.
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Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip is a savory and spicy appetizer perfect for gatherings. Layered with creamy cheese, tangy pizza sauce, savory sausage, and crispy pepperoni, then baked until bubbly and topped with a drizzle of sweet hot honey, it pairs perfectly with garlic butter crostini for dipping.
Ingredients
Dip Ingredients
- 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)
- â…“ cup parmesan cheese (grated)
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 1 cup pizza sauce (or marinara sauce)
- 1 cup mozzarella (shredded)
- 1 cup mini pepperoni (or regular size cut into quarters)
Garnish
- 4 leaves fresh basil (sliced)
- 4 tbsp parmesan cheese (grated)
- 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 and prepare baking dish: Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease an oven-safe baking dish or skillet with cooking spray. For the 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, combine melted butter and minced garlic. Brush both sides of baguette slices with garlic butter and arrange on prepared baking sheet. Set aside.
- Cook sausage: In a small frying pan, cook the sausage meat, crumbling into small pieces as it cooks until just starting to get crispy. Drain excess fat and let cool.
- Mix cheese base: In a small bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, parmesan cheese, and dried oregano until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble dip layers: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Top with an even layer of pizza sauce, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauce layer.
- Add sausage and pepperoni: Scatter cooled cooked sausage crumbles evenly over the mozzarella, then scatter mini pepperoni on top.
- Bake the dip: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in preheated oven for 6-8 minutes until the dip starts to bubble. Remove foil and bake an additional 1-2 minutes until the pepperoni is crispy.
- Bake crostini: Five minutes after putting the dip in the oven, place the crostini baking sheet in the oven. Bake crostini for 4-5 minutes until slightly toasted and golden brown, flipping each piece halfway through.
- Finish and serve: Remove dip and crostini from oven. Optionally garnish dip with sliced basil and grated parmesan cheese. Drizzle hot honey over the dip, serve warm with garlic bread crostini, and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute sour cream with plain Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor and healthier option.
- Adjust the amount of hot honey drizzle according to your preferred spice level.
- Use freshly grated cheeses for best melting and flavor.
- For a milder dip, use mild Italian sausage and reduce or omit hot honey.
- Garlic bread crostini can be toasted longer if you prefer crispier texture.
