Description
This delicious Pizza Fondue Dip combines creamy soft cheese and melted mozzarella with savory pizza sauce and optional pepperoni, baked until golden and bubbling. Perfect for sharing with garlic bread, crostini, or breadsticks, this warm, comforting dip brings the flavors of pizza into a fun, shareable appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 180g soft cheese
- 10g grated Parmesan or vegetarian Italian-style hard cheese
- 100g grated mozzarella (or mozzarella & cheddar mix)
Other Ingredients
- Olive oil, for the dish and for drizzling
- 200g pizza sauce or passata
- 7–8 slices pepperoni (optional)
- Garlic bread, crostini, or breadsticks, to serve
Instructions
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: Tip the soft cheese into a bowl and whisk it to loosen the texture. Add the grated Parmesan and half of the grated mozzarella, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well to combine all ingredients smoothly.
- Assemble the Dip: Lightly oil a 15-18cm round baking dish. Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the base of the dish. Pour the pizza sauce or passata over the cheese and spread it out so it covers the mixture completely. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the top.
- Add Toppings and Drizzle: Arrange the pepperoni slices evenly on top of the cheese, if using. Drizzle a little olive oil over the assembled dip to enhance flavor and promote a golden crust.
- Make Ahead Option: You can prepare the dip up to two days in advance. Cover it tightly and chill until ready to bake.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) or gas mark 6. Bake the dip for 25–30 minutes until it is bubbling and golden on top.
- Prepare Dippers: While the dip is baking, cook the garlic bread according to pack instructions, if using.
- Serve: Allow the dip to cool slightly after baking, then serve warm with garlic bread, crostini, or breadsticks for dipping.
Notes
- Use vegetarian Italian-style hard cheese instead of Parmesan for a vegetarian option.
- Mix mozzarella with cheddar for a sharper flavor if preferred.
- The dip can be made ahead up to two days and refrigerated before baking.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially if using pre-seasoned pizza sauce.
- For a meat-free version, simply omit the pepperoni.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: pizza fondue dip, cheese dip, baked dip, Italian appetizer, party dip, mozzarella dip, pizza sauce dip
