Some Sundays just smell like football—and cheesy, bubbling appetizers fresh from the oven. Back when my boys were little, every touchdown was followed by a cheer and a scoop of something hot and melty. I’ve made dozens of game-day dips over the years, but this Easy Pizza Dip? It’s the MVP of football sunday food appetizers. With cream cheese, gooey mozzarella, crisp bacon, and spicy pepperoni, this dish has all the comfort of your favorite pie—served up with crunchy breadsticks and a crowd around the table.
I remember serving this dip during one snowy playoff weekend. I barely set the dish down before someone grabbed a roll, scooped deep into the cheesy layers, and asked if I made two. That’s how you know you’ve got a keeper. Whether you’re hosting a full-on tailgate party or curling up with family on the couch, this one’s guaranteed to bring smiles (and requests for seconds).
Gather around the table — something delicious is waiting!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s everything you crave in football sunday food appetizers—cheesy, creamy, savory, and endlessly dippable. Perfect for any crowd.
This dip combines the bold flavors of classic pizza with the cozy appeal of a baked appetizer. The contrast of warm cheese and spicy pepperoni with crisp bacon hits all the right notes.
You can make it ahead of time, bake it last minute, and serve with whatever you’ve got—bagel chips, crusty bread, or fresh veggies.
It’s easy enough for beginners, fast enough for busy game days, and customizable for picky eaters or spice lovers.
Ready in just 35 minutes from start to scoop, this dip doesn’t just feed a crowd—it fires up the game day spirit.
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Easy Hot Pizza Dip
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
Description
This Easy Hot Pizza Dip is the ultimate game day crowd-pleaser. Layered with cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella, crispy bacon, and zesty pepperoni, it’s everything you want from football sunday food appetizers—melty, cheesy, crave-worthy. Whether baked in the oven or served straight from the crock pot, this one is always a fan favorite.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese (divided)
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup pizza sauce or marinara
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 15–20 pepperoni slices or ¼ cup mini pepperoni
- 3 slices crispy cooked bacon, chopped
- Fresh chopped parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set it to 375°F and prep a 9-inch pie plate or similar baking dish for layering.
- Mix the base: Blend softened cream cheese, ¾ cup mozzarella, sour cream, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes until smooth.
- Spread the mixture: Evenly press the creamy base into the bottom of the dish.
- Add sauce and toppings: Spread pizza sauce over the base, then layer on Parmesan, remaining mozzarella, pepperoni, and bacon.
- Bake the dip: Place in oven and bake for 20–25 minutes until hot and bubbly. Let cool 3–5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish and enjoy: Sprinkle with fresh herbs and serve with crusty bread, bagel chips, or bell pepper slices.
Notes
To prepare this dish ahead of time, assemble and refrigerate up to 3 days in advance. Let it come to room temperature before baking. For a crock pot version, layer ingredients in a small slow cooker and heat on low for 1–2 hours. This is a classic among football sunday food appetizers because it’s flexible, flavorful, and fun to serve.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Oven-Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredient Overview
When it comes to football sunday food appetizers, rich and layered flavors make all the difference. This dip brings together beloved pizza ingredients into one bubbly, crowd-pleasing dish.
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Cream Cheese: The base of all good dips—smooth, creamy, and rich. Make sure it’s softened to blend easily.
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Mozzarella Cheese: Melty and mild, this cheese brings stretch and gooey texture. Save some for the top.
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Sour Cream: Adds tang and lightens up the richness just a bit.
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Dried Basil & Oregano: Classic Italian herbs that bring the essence of pizza.
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Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: A pinch here amplifies all the savory layers.
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Red Pepper Flakes: Just enough kick to wake up your taste buds. Optional, but recommended.
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Pizza Sauce (or Marinara): Use your favorite—thicker sauces work best.
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Parmesan Cheese: Salty, nutty, and essential for topping.
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Pepperoni: Regular or mini works great. Adds that signature pizza flavor.
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Crispy Bacon: The smoky crunch takes this over the top.
Optional Styling Tip: Top with a sprinkle of chopped fresh basil or parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
Step-by-step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prep the Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Choose a 9-inch pie plate or shallow baking dish. A ceramic or glass dish works best for even heating—plus, it makes serving these football sunday food appetizers a breeze straight from oven to table.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Cheese Base
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, ¾ cup of mozzarella, and your seasonings: dried basil, oregano, salt, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Use a hand mixer or sturdy spoon until smooth and well blended.
Step 3: Layer the Base
Spread the creamy cheese mixture evenly across the bottom of your baking dish. It’ll look like a rich, velvety cloud—this is what makes these football sunday food appetizers so unforgettable.
Step 4: Add the Sauce
Spoon your favorite pizza sauce (or marinara) over the cream cheese base. Spread gently to cover the surface. This tomatoey layer brings the full pizza flavor we crave during every football watch party.
Step 5: Cheese, Please
Sprinkle on the grated Parmesan and then top with the remaining mozzarella. This double-cheese layer makes each bite of these football sunday food appetizers extra gooey and satisfying.
Step 6: Add the Good Stuff
Arrange pepperoni slices over the top. Tuck in the crispy bacon bits so they nestle into the cheese. As this bakes, the edges of the pepperoni will crisp up while the bacon infuses the dish with smoky flavor.
Tip: Use mini pepperoni for a fun look and easy scooping!
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Place the dish on the middle oven rack and bake for 20–25 minutes. When it’s bubbling around the edges and golden on top, it’s ready. Let the dip rest for 3–5 minutes—those cheesy layers are hot!
Step 8: Serve It Hot
Garnish with chopped parsley or basil for color. Serve immediately with warm breadsticks, crusty French bread, or toasted rolls. These football sunday food appetizers don’t just satisfy—they disappear fast.
Pro Tips
Prep It Ahead for Game Day Ease
You can assemble this dip up to three days before the big game. Just cover it tightly and refrigerate. When you’re ready, remove it 40 minutes before baking. Easy prep like this makes it one of the smartest football sunday food appetizers you’ll ever make.
Soften Cream Cheese for a Smooth Base
Don’t skip this step! Softened cream cheese blends more easily and gives your dip a rich, velvety texture. It’s essential for that creamy goodness everyone expects from top-tier football sunday food appetizers.
Go Bold with the Cheese
Use whole-milk mozzarella for that epic cheese pull. Want to amp up the flavor? Try a little smoked provolone mixed in—it adds serious depth to your football sunday food appetizers lineup.
Make It a Meal
Serve with hearty dippers like mini bell peppers, garlic knots, or even pizza crust wedges. A filling dip like this one brings big-game energy to any table of football sunday food appetizers.
Warm It Just Right
If you’re reheating leftovers (on the rare chance you have any!), use a low-power microwave setting. Quick blasts keep the cheese gooey without drying it out.
Bonus Internal Link Tip: This dip also pairs perfectly with our other fan-favorite Game Day Football Appetizers—double the crowd-pleasers, double the cheer.
Variations
Make It Vegetarian
Skip the bacon and choose vegetarian pepperoni or sautéed mushrooms. You’ll still get that full pizza flavor in your football sunday food appetizers spread—no meat required.
Add a Kick
Love heat? Add extra red pepper flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce into the cream cheese blend. It’s a fiery twist on classic football sunday food appetizers.
Try a Crock Pot Method
Yes, this can be made in your slow cooker! Layer ingredients just as you would in the oven, then heat on low for 1–2 hours until bubbly. This is perfect for set-it-and-forget-it style football sunday food appetizers crock pot fans.
Switch Up the Sauce
Swap pizza sauce for pesto or alfredo for a white pizza vibe. These twists keep your lineup of football sunday food appetizers easy and exciting.
Tex-Mex Style
Add black beans, a sprinkle of taco seasoning, and top with sliced jalapeños for a dip that tastes like a loaded taco pie. It’s perfect if you’re already making Football Food Ideas Dip and want something unique.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dip in advance?
Yes! You can prep the entire dish up to 3 days before serving. Just cover tightly, refrigerate, and bake when ready. This is a true MVP in your football sunday food appetizers playbook.
What’s the best dipping bread for this recipe?
Toasted French bread, crusty rolls, or garlic knots are excellent. You can even use bagel chips or sturdy crackers—whatever your crowd loves!
Is this spicy?
Not too spicy! The red pepper flakes add a mild kick, but you can increase or skip them based on your heat tolerance. It’s easy to adjust, which is why it’s a go-to for football sunday food appetizers easy to customize.
Can I make this in a crock pot?
Absolutely. Layer the ingredients just like the oven version, then warm on low until melty—about 1–2 hours. Great for long Sundays filled with back-to-back games.
What if I don’t have pepperoni?
No problem. You can use cooked sausage crumbles, deli ham, or go full veggie with mushrooms and olives. It’s one of those football sunday food appetizers you can totally adapt.
Serving Suggestions
These football sunday food appetizers deserve star treatment, so let’s talk about what to serve with them! For the perfect dippables, go for toasted baguette slices, garlic knots, or thick pita chips. Mini bell peppers and crisp cucumber slices make a great lighter option and add color to your spread.
If you’re building a full-on game day table, pair this dip with wings, a crunchy veggie tray, or a fizzy punch for the full effect. Round it out with sweet and salty snacks, and you’ve got a winning lineup of sunday football food appetizers snacks that’ll keep everyone coming back for more.
And don’t forget our go-to Tailgate Snacks Ham Sliders—they’re hearty, portable, and an absolute hit when served alongside your pizza dip.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, game day is about more than the score—it’s about flavor, laughter, and the warm satisfaction of sharing something homemade. This Easy Pizza Dip delivers all of that and more, checking every box on your football sunday food appetizers list: hot, cheesy, crowd-pleasing, and easy to throw together, even on short notice.
Whether you’re serving a crowd or just a cozy Sunday duo, this dip adds heart to the moment. It’s the kind of recipe that disappears faster than the last two minutes of the fourth quarter.
And if you’re looking to keep the party going, check out our other Game Day Appetizers to build a full menu worth cheering for.
From my kitchen to yours — happy cooking, friends!
And hey, if you try this dish, tag us on Pinterest — we’d love to see your game day spread.
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