Pepperoni Pizza Dip

This pepperoni pizza dip is the perfect appetizer for parties and game day!

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American, Italian

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Total Time 45

Servings servings

Calories 521kcal

Author Whitney Wright

Equipment

Ingredients

18 oz pizza dough
3 oz pepperoni cut into quarters (about 3/4 cup)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced about 3 garlic cloves
8 oz cream cheese softened
3/4 cup pizza sauce
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella or 6 oz fresh mozzarella, diced
fresh basil chopped for garnish

Instructions

In a cast iron skillet over medium low, heat olive oil and garlic until garlic is fragrant about 1-2 mins. Transfer the oil and garlic to a small bowl.
Place the dough on a lightly floured surface. Pat or roll the dough into a rough 8x8 inch square. Cut the dough into 36 pieces, about ½ oz each.
Roll each into a ball, and then roll each ball into the garlic olive oil. Place the olive covered balls around the edge of the cast iron skillet. 18 balls around the outside of the skillet. Place the remaining 18 balls on top, staggering between the seams of the balls underneath. The center of the skillet will be empty.
Cover the skillet with plastic wrap, and let sit for 45 minutes or until the balls have puffed up slightly.
Meanwhile, Preheat oven to 400°F. Move the oven rack to the middle position.
Remove plastic. Place skillet in the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the balls are a bit golden brown on top.
While the skillet is in the oven, place the cream cheese, pizza sauce, oregano, and dried basil in a medium size bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat until the mixture is smooth. Stir in the shredded mozzarella (or fresh chopped mozzarella) and ¾ of the chopped pepperonis.
Remove the skillet from the oven. Spoon the cheese mixture into the center of the skillet, sprinkle the remaining pepperonis on top. Return to the oven to cook for 10 minutes or until the cheese mixture is heated through and the rolls are golden brown on top.
Remove the skillet from the oven. Top with the fresh chopped basil. Serve warm.

Notes

*You don't have to use a hand mixer to mix the cream cheese and pizza sauce. I did this because it was faster/easier. You can use a whisk. You just want to make sure you thoroughly combine all of the ingredients.

Recipe Source: adapted from Cooks Country Cook it in Cast Iron

Nutrition