Description
A rich and indulgent Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip combining creamy cheeses, spicy sausage, and pepperoni baked to bubbly perfection. Served warm with crispy garlic bread crostini and drizzled with sweet, spicy hot honey for an irresistible appetizer that’s perfect for parties and gatherings.
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
- 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)
Herbs & Seasonings
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 4 leaves fresh basil (sliced, for garnish)
Other
- 1 cup pizza sauce (or marinara sauce)
- Hot honey (for drizzling)
Garlic Bread Crostini
- 1 baguette (cut into ½ inch thick slices, diagonally on an angle)
- 3 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking dishes – Preheat your oven to 375℉. 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 it with cooking spray.
- Prepare garlic bread crostini – In a small bowl, combine melted butter and minced garlic. Brush both sides of the baguette slices with this garlic butter mixture. Lay the slices on the prepared baking sheet and set aside.
- Cook sausage – Heat a small frying pan over medium heat. Add the sausage meat, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks. Cook until it starts to crisp up, then drain any excess fat. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Mix cheese base – In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, grated parmesan, and dried oregano. Mix thoroughly until smooth and creamy.
- Layer the dip – Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Next, spread the pizza sauce evenly on top, careful not to mix the layers. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the sauce. Scatter the cooked sausage crumbles across the top, then distribute the mini pepperoni evenly.
- Bake dip – Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 6-8 minutes, or until the dip begins to bubble. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 1-2 minutes until the pepperoni crisps up.
- Bake crostini – Five minutes after placing the dip in the oven, put the baking sheet with the garlic bread crostini in the oven. Bake the crostini for 4-5 minutes or until golden brown and slightly toasted, flipping halfway through.
- Finish and serve – Remove the dip and crostini from the oven. Optionally garnish the dip with freshly sliced basil leaves and the additional grated parmesan. Drizzle hot honey generously over the dip. Serve warm with the garlic bread crostini for dipping and enjoy!
Notes
- Use hot Italian sausage for more spice or mild if preferred.
- Greek yogurt is a healthy substitute for sour cream if desired.
- Adjust the amount of hot honey drizzle according to your preferred sweetness and heat level.
- Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for easier mixing.
- For a crispier crostini, you can toast the bread slices before applying the garlic butter.
