Description
Creamy and zesty pizza dip delivers classic Italian flavors in a shareable appetizer. Melted cheese, tangy marinara, and savory herbs come together for a crowd-pleasing snack you’ll crave at every gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 (8 ounces) pepperoni stick, diced small
Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Cheese and Sauce:
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1.34 pounds Velveeta cheese, diced
- Mozzarella cheese, for garnish (optional)
Serving:
- Tortilla chips or breadsticks, for serving
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high temperature and sauté ground beef with diced pepperoni until meat browns and releases its natural oils, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Drain excess fat from the meat mixture to reduce greasiness and enhance flavor concentration.
- Incorporate onion powder, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes into the meat, creating a robust and aromatic base.
- Pour marinara sauce into the skillet, stirring thoroughly to integrate all seasonings and create a cohesive sauce.
- Gradually add Velveeta cheese, continuously stirring until the cheese melts completely and forms a smooth, creamy texture.
- Transfer the hot dip to a serving dish, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Sprinkle additional mozzarella cheese on top for extra richness and visual appeal.
- Optional: Dust with a light layer of Italian seasoning to enhance the herbal notes.
- Serve immediately while warm, accompanied by crispy tortilla chips or golden breadsticks for dipping.
Notes
- Drain meat thoroughly to prevent a greasy dip, using a colander or paper towels to remove excess fat.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes for spice-sensitive guests or adding more for heat lovers.
- Choose alternative protein options like ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for lighter, healthier variations.
- Opt for gluten-free tortilla chips or vegetable sticks to make the dip suitable for different dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 349
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg