If you are on the hunt for a crowd-pleaser that’s bursting with bold flavors and comforting warmth, look no further than this Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip Recipe. Imagine layers of creamy cheese and tangy pizza sauce mingling with crispy pepperoni and savory sausage, all drizzled with a tantalizing touch of sweet heat from hot honey. It’s the perfect blend of spicy, cheesy, and a hint of sweetness that will have everyone reaching for more at your next gathering or cozy night in.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip Recipe lies in its simple yet incredibly flavorful ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role, combining creamy, savory, and spicy notes with delightful textures and inviting colors.
- Sausage meat (½ cup): Choose honey garlic, mild, or hot Italian sausage for a juicy, flavorful base that adds warmth and spice.
- Cream cheese (8 ounces): At room temperature, this creates the creamy, smooth foundation for the dip’s luxurious texture.
- Sour cream (½ cup): Adds tanginess and lightness, balancing the richness of the cream cheese.
- Parmesan cheese (â…“ cup + 4 tbsp): Grated for depth of flavor and a slightly nutty finish that enhances every bite.
- Dried oregano (½ tsp): Brings classic Italian herb notes for authenticity.
- Pizza sauce (1 cup): Your tangy, tomatoey layer that screams pizza goodness.
- Mozzarella (1 cup shredded): Melts beautifully into a gooey, golden layer sure to satisfy cheese lovers.
- Mini pepperoni (1 cup): Scattered on top for spicy, slightly crispy bites of meaty delight.
- Fresh basil leaves (4 leaves): Thinly sliced to add fresh herbal brightness as a garnish.
- Hot honey: The magic drizzle that delivers a sweet and spicy kick — a total game-changer!
- Baguette (1): Cut into ½ inch slices on the diagonal, perfect for dipping.
- Butter (3 tablespoons): Melted and mixed with garlic to brush on baguette slices for irresistible garlic bread crostini.
- Garlic (1 clove): Minced and mixed with butter for that irresistible savory aroma on the crostini.
How to Make Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Cook the Sausage
Start by preheating your oven to 375℉ and greasing your baking dish or skillet. In a small pan, cook the sausage meat, breaking it up as it cooks until just crispy. This adds amazing texture and rich flavor without excess grease, so be sure to drain any fat before setting it aside to cool.
Step 2: Mix the Cream Cheese Base
In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, grated parmesan, and dried oregano. Whisk them together until silky smooth. This creamy mixture will give the dip its luscious body and a tangy, cheesy depth that compliments the meaty toppings perfectly.
Step 3: Layer the Dip
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly in your prepared dish. Next, carefully spoon on the pizza sauce as a vibrant, tangy layer, but don’t stir it in. That beautiful contrast in texture and flavor will make every bite exciting.
Step 4: Add Cheese and Meat Toppings
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella generously over the sauce, then scatter the cooled sausage crumbles and mini pepperoni on top. These layers promise a melty, spicy, and savory experience that’s nothing short of addictive.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 6-8 minutes until bubbling. Then remove the foil and bake an additional 1-2 minutes so the pepperoni edges get deliciously crisped. While the dip is baking, prepare the crostini by brushing both sides of sliced baguette with garlic butter and toasting them on a baking sheet for 4-5 minutes until golden and fragrant.
Step 6: Garnish and Drizzle with Hot Honey
Once out of the oven, sprinkle fresh basil and extra grated parmesan over the dip. Finally, drizzle generously with hot honey to add that signature sweet-spicy twist that elevates this dish from fantastic to unforgettable.
How to Serve Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh basil leaves add a bright herbal note that lifts the rich, cheesy layers, while a sprinkle of parmesan adds an extra layer of savory flavor and visual appeal. Don’t forget the finishing drizzle of hot honey, which gives it that perfect balance of sweet heat and an irresistible glossy sheen.
Side Dishes
This dip shines as a party appetizer alongside crisp veggie sticks, crunchy breadsticks, or even a simple salad to lighten the fare. The warm, buttery garlic crostini from the recipe perfectly complements the dip’s creamy, spicy richness and offers just the right amount of crunch.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving this dip straight in the skillet for a rustic, cozy vibe, or transfer it to individual ramekins for easy sharing. You can also provide an array of dipping options like pita chips, pretzels, or even grilled flatbread to add variety and keep everyone delighted. The more dipping options, the merrier!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover dip in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for up to three days. The flavors actually deepen after resting overnight, making it a perfect make-ahead snack for next-day cravings.
Freezing
This Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip Recipe also freezes beautifully. Transfer cooled dip to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating, and it will taste just as comforting as the first time.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in a preheated oven at 350℉ for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through and bubbling. You can cover it loosely with foil to prevent over-browning, then remove the foil in the last few minutes to crisp up the top slightly. Serve with fresh crostini for that freshly made experience.
FAQs
Can I make this dip vegetarian?
Absolutely! Simply omit the sausage and pepperoni, and consider adding sautéed mushrooms or extra veggies like bell peppers and olives to keep the pizza flavors vibrant and hearty.
What kind of sausage works best?
You can use honey garlic, mild, or hot Italian sausage, depending on how much spice you want. Just choose your favorite and make sure to cook and drain it well before adding to the dip.
Is there a substitute for the cream cheese?
If you want a lighter option, plain Greek yogurt can partially replace cream cheese, but it won’t be quite as rich and creamy. Full-fat cream cheese is key for that classic indulgent dip texture.
How spicy is the hot honey?
Hot honey varies by brand but generally offers a mild to moderate heat balanced by sweetness. If you prefer more or less spice, you can adjust the amount or opt for plain honey or a chili-infused version.
Can I prepare the dip without the crostini?
Definitely! The crostini are just one delicious way to enjoy the dip, but tortilla chips, pita chips, or fresh veggie sticks all work wonderfully as dippers.
Final Thoughts
There is nothing quite like sharing this Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip Recipe with friends or family—it’s comforting, full-flavored, and downright addictive. Whether it’s game day, a casual get-together, or a cozy night in, this dip brings all the best pizza flavors into one irresistible dish. Give it a try and watch it become one of your new go-to favorites for every occasion!
Print
Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip is a deliciously layered, cheesy appetizer that combines creamy cheese, savory sausage, spicy pepperoni, and a sweet kick of hot honey. Served warm with crispy garlic baguette crostini, it’s perfect for parties, game days, or whenever you crave pizza flavors in a fun, dippable form.
Ingredients
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
Other
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 1 cup pizza sauce (or marinara sauce)
- 4 leaves fresh basil (sliced)
- Hot honey
- 1 baguette (cut into ½ inch thick slices, cut diagonally on an angle)
- 3 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking tools: 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 sprayed with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare garlic butter and baguette: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with the minced garlic. Brush both sides of the baguette slices generously with this garlic butter mixture. Arrange the slices on the prepared baking sheet and set aside.
- Cook sausage meat: Using a small frying pan over medium heat, cook the sausage meat, breaking it apart with a spatula until it starts to get crispy. Drain excess fat and let it cool slightly.
- Mix cream cheese base: In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, grated parmesan cheese, and dried oregano. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy, creating a rich base layer for the dip.
- Layer cream cheese mixture: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly into the greased baking dish, forming the first layer of the dip.
- Add pizza sauce: Carefully layer the pizza sauce on top of the cream cheese, spreading it evenly but without mixing the layers together.
- Add cheese and meats: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Then, scatter the cooked sausage crumbles evenly on top, followed by the mini pepperoni pieces.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 6-8 minutes, or until the dip bubbles around the edges.
- Crisp pepperoni: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 1-2 minutes to crisp the pepperoni and brown the cheese slightly.
- Bake crostini: Five minutes after placing the dip in the oven, put the prepared baguette slices on their baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 4-5 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp.
- Remove from oven: Take out both the dip and crostini from the oven carefully.
- Garnish dip: Optionally, sprinkle thinly sliced fresh basil leaves and grated parmesan cheese over the hot dip for extra flavor and a fresh finish.
- Serve: Drizzle hot honey over the dip, serve immediately warm with the garlic bread crostini for dipping, and enjoy the delicious blend of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors.
Notes
- You can substitute sour cream with plain Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor and added protein.
- Adjust the amount of hot honey drizzled on top according to your preferred spice and sweetness level.
- For an extra crispy crostini, broil for 1-2 minutes after baking but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- If you prefer less spicy sausage, opt for mild Italian or honey garlic sausage varieties.
- Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened to mix easily and get a smooth texture.
