A family favorite for many years, this easy layered cheesy pizza dip with cream cheese is hot and bubbly and tastes just like pizza.
This pizza dip recipe has been in my family for over 30 years! I think my sister got it from a friend and made it at one of our many parties at Smokies (my mom and dad's old bar). After that, we were all hooked and began making it for any party we had, including my kids' birthday parties. It's so easy to make and is always the first thing to go on every party food table!
The Ingredients You'll Need
- Cream cheese - cream cheese mixed with sour cream and some spices forms the base of this super easy dip.
- Pizza sauce - there IS a difference between marinara sauce and pizza sauce. Make sure it's pizza sauce you're using and not marinara. Think Ragu's pizza sauce or Pizza Quick. You can also use homemade pizza sauce, like my Pizza Hut copycat pizza sauce recipe.
- Shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses - the combination of both cheeses creates the perfect cheese pull.
- Spices - oregano, garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning.
Making Pizza Dip
Mix together softened cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, oregano, crushed red pepper, salt, and pepper until smooth. Spread into the bottom of a casserole dish (9 by 13-inch rectangular or 9-inch pie plate).
Pour pizza sauce over the top and spread until the cream cheese mixture is completely covered.
Sprinkle with cheeses and bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, 15-20 minutes. Sprinkle baked dip with Italian seasoning, if desired.
Variations
My family likes this cheesy pizza dip as is, but if you're compelled to add more toppings, the sky is the limit! Here are a few ideas (or choose your favorite pizza toppings):
- Pepperoni
- Sausage (Italian or breakfast style sausage--precooked and crumbled)
- Black olives
- Green bell peppers
- Onions
- Mushrooms
- Ham
Yes, you can assemble the pizza dip, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. When ready, simply remove the cover and bake, adding an additional 5-7 minutes to baking time if coming directly from the refrigerator.
Yes! You can substitute the cream cheese, sour cream, and cheeses with vegan alternatives.
Traditionally we used Ritz crackers for this dip. While these aren't gluten free, we can make our own using my gluten free Ritz cracker recipe.
More Dipper Ideas
Don't want to make your own Ritz crackers? No worries! Here's some other options for dipping:
- Lance Gluten Free Baked Original crackers (affiliate link)
- Good Thins Gluten Free Rice and Corn Crackers (affiliate link)
- Milton's Craft Bakers Gluten Free Crackers (affiliate link)
- My gluten free artisan bread or my gluten free Italian bread made into crostini by cutting at a diagonal and toasting on both sides until crisp.
- Tortilla chips
More Gluten Free Dips and Apps
- gluten free Hawaiian bread bowl
- gluten free beer cheese dip
- copycat Baja Fresh salsa
- gluten free veggie pizza
- pulled pork sliders on Hawaiian rolls
- gluten free ham and cheese crescent rolls
- hot mushroom dip with bacon
Need a dip that you can throw together in no time that's yummy and has few ingredients? Look no further than easy, cheesy pizza dip that's naturally gluten free!
Easy Cheesy Pizza Dip
Ingredients
- 8 oz (226g) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (240g) sour cream
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 14 ounce (396g) jar pizza sauce (or 14 ounces homemade pizza sauce)
- 1 cup (83g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (83g) cheddar cheese, shredded
- Italian seasoning, for sprinkling on top
- crackers for dipping (tortilla chips or crostini are also options)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F.
- Mix cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes in a medium bowl with an electric mixer. Spread in the bottom of a 9 by 13-inch, 9-inch pie pan, or other baking dish and smooth the top. Spread pizza sauce on top. Sprinkle with cheeses.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve warm with regular or gluten free crackers, tortilla chips, or regular or gluten free crostini.
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