Baked Pizza Dip with Pesto

This baked pizza dip features layers of gooey cheese, pizza sauce, mini pepperoni, and drizzles of fresh pesto on top. Serve this crowd-pleasing dip with lots of toasted bread for dipping.

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This baked pizza dip features layers of gooey cheese, pizza sauce, mini pepperoni, and drizzles of fresh pesto on top. Serve this crowd-pleasing dip with lots of toasted bread for dipping.

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings servings

Calories 388kcal

Ingredients

Basil Pesto

1/2 cup firmly-packed fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons pine nuts (or walnuts)
1 medium clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Pizza Dip

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup pizza sauce
1 cup low-moisture shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup mini pepperoni
Toasted bread slices for serving

Instructions

Basil Pesto

In a blender or food processor, combine basil, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan. With machine running, drizzle olive oil through top, pulsing several times until pesto is smooth, scraping down sides as necessary. Season pesto with salt and pepper to taste and store in fridge until ready to use.

Pizza Dip

Preheat oven to 400F. Lightly grease a 9-inch pie pan or baking dish and set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, cheddar, garlic, Italian seasoning, and oregano until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste and spread in an even layer in prepared pan.
Spread pizza sauce over top of cream cheese mixture and top with mozzarella and pepperoni.
Bake pizza dip at 400F 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Optionally, broil pizza dip 2-3 minutes on high to brown cheese and pepperoni.
Remove pizza dip from oven and use a paper towel to blot excess grease off of the pepperoni. Drizzle dip with pesto sauce and serve warm with toasted bread slices for dipping. Enjoy!

Notes

Storing Instructions

Store dip in refrigerator up to 6 days.

Nutrition