This hot pizza dip is everything you love about pizza—ooey, gooey cheese, bold sauce, and savory toppings—all melted together into one bubbling crockpot. It’s ridiculously easy, takes no time to throw together, and always disappears fast. Just layer it, plug in the crockpot, and boom—it’s party time.
Why I Love This Recipe
The first time I made this, I had leftover pizza toppings in the fridge and zero energy to cook. I tossed it all into the crockpot and let it do its thing. When I dipped in that first crunchy piece of baguette, I knew it was a keeper.
- You just layer it and forget it—no babysitting
- It’s customizable with whatever pizza toppings you like
- The crockpot keeps it warm for hours, so it’s perfect for hangouts
- Every bite tastes like the cheesy middle of a slice of pizza
- It makes your kitchen smell amazing
Servings and Cook Time
Makes: 6 servings
Cook Time: 1½ hours on LOW or 45 minutes on HIGH
What You’ll Need
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- ½ cup mini pepperoni
- ½ cup cooked ground Italian sausage
- ⅓ cup diced green bell pepper
- ¼ cup finely diced onion
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Baguette slices, pita chips, or crackers for serving
Recipe + Instructions
Step 1: Spread the cream cheese
Use a spatula to spread 8 oz softened cream cheese evenly across the bottom of the black oval crockpot.
Step 2: Add the sour cream
Spoon 1 cup sour cream right on top and gently smooth it out to cover the cream cheese.
Step 3: Add shredded cheese
Sprinkle 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese and ½ cup grated parmesan cheese evenly over the sour cream layer.
Step 4: Pour on the pizza sauce
Pour 1 cup pizza sauce evenly over the top of the cheese.
Step 5: Add toppings
Scatter ½ cup mini pepperoni, ½ cup cooked ground Italian sausage, ⅓ cup diced green bell pepper, and ¼ cup finely diced onion evenly over the pizza sauce.
Step 6: Season it
Sprinkle ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp dried oregano, and ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional) evenly across the top.
Step 7: Cook the dip
Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 1½ hours or HIGH for 45 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
Step 8: Serve it up
Scoop the hot dip into a round white bowl and serve with toasted baguette slices or crackers.
Macros (Per Serving, Approx.)
- Calories: 310
- Protein: 12g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fat: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 3g
Why This Recipe Works (Quick Science)
Layering the dip helps each ingredient shine. Cream cheese and sour cream make a creamy base. Cheese melts better when it’s in the middle layer. Pizza sauce on top keeps the cheese from drying out. Toppings release flavor into the whole dip as it cooks.
Common Mistakes
- Not softening cream cheese: It won’t spread well and stays lumpy.
- Using raw sausage: You have to cook it first or it won’t be safe.
- Skipping the layering: Dumping everything in at once makes it greasy and uneven.
- Using pre-shredded cheese: It doesn’t melt as well because of anti-caking agents.
What to Serve With
- Toasted baguette slices
- Pita chips or flatbread
- Crackers or tortilla chips
- Celery sticks or carrot sticks
- Garlic bread or breadsticks
FAQ
Can I make this in advance?
Yes! You can layer everything in the crockpot insert, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Just cook when ready.
Can I bake this instead?
Yep! Use a baking dish and bake at 375°F for 25–30 minutes.
Is it spicy?
Not unless you add the red pepper flakes—leave them out for a mild version.
Can I double the recipe?
Totally! Use a larger crockpot and cook about 15–20 minutes longer.
Can I freeze leftovers?
I wouldn’t. The texture changes too much. Better to store in the fridge and eat within 4 days.
Final Thoughts
If you love pizza and love easy recipes, this one’s a no-brainer. It’s warm, cheesy, and full of flavor. I make this anytime I want something comforting that people can just dig into. Try it once, and you’ll be making it on repeat. If you do make it, drop a comment and let me know how it went or what toppings you added!