5 Ingredient Pizza Dip (without cream cheese)
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If you are looking for a quick and easy appetizer, this 5 ingredient pizza dip is it! It’s the perfect appetizer made with a few simple ingredients and takes just minutes to make!
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This is the best pizza dip, and might become your new favorite appetizer! Whenever I make it, it disappears fast. It’s made with just a few simple ingredients and without cream cheese like most pizza dips are. Mainly because I’ve never had cream cheese on pizza so why would it be in pizza dip 🤔.
Instead, this dip is made with two of the best-tasting pizza ingredients mixed – the sauce and the cheese. It’s like eating pizza without the crust! And you can dip your favorite pizza topping into it. It’s perfect to serve on game day, holiday parties, or even a fun and easy dinner; toss a salad together and dinner is ready.
If you love healthier tasty appetizers, try these disco fries, stuffed mushrooms, or air fryer potato skins.
Why you will love this recipe
- It’s quick and easy and made with only 5 ingredients.
- Pizza dip is versatile! Serve it with any of your favorite pizza toppings and it will be a huge hit!
Here is what you will need
This is a brief summary of the ingredients needed to make this recipe and a convenient shopping list from my Instacart affiliate link. For a printable recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions, scroll down to the recipe card section.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- Diced tomatoes or homemade pizza sauce
- Garlic or garlic powder
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Fresh basil or dried basil or Italian seasoning
- Mozzarella cheese
How to make this hot pizza dip recipe
Prepare the ingredients: chop the garlic, and slice or shred the mozzarella cheese.
STEP 1: Add the tomatoes to a food processor and blend until they are pureed.
STEP 2: Heat the olive oil in a skillet. Once the oil is hot, add the garlic and cook for a few minutes until it begins to soften.
STEP 3: Reduce the heat and stir in the balsamic vinegar. Cook for a few minutes, then add the tomatoes and basil. Simmer over low heat for 5 to 10 minutes.
STEP 4: Carefully pour the sauce into a small baking dish and cover it with slices of cheese.
STEP 5: Place the dish under a broiler until the cheese melts.
TIP! The tomato sauce can be prepared in an oven-proof skillet and topped with cheese and into the oven in the same skillet.
What to serve with pizza dip
Italian bread of baguette make a nice dipper for pizza dip as well as your favorite pizza toppings like black olives, pepperoni slices, roasted peppers, pita chips, tortilla chips, bread sticks, green peppers, red peppers, mushrooms, pineapple, ham or sliced cooked sausage. This pizza dip is also a great addition to a charcuterie board!
Recipe variations
This easy pizza dip is a pretty basic recipe, and the flavor variations happen more with the dippers, but here are a few ways to change up the pizza dip itself.
Spicy pizza dip – add a teaspoon or two to taste of red pepper flakes.
Extra cheesy – spread a layer of ricotta cheese (about a 1/2 cup) on the bottom of the ovenproof dish before adding the sauce.
Change up the cheese – Instead of mozzarella cheese, try using different kinds of cheeses. Switch to provolone or use a combination of provolone, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese.
Sweet pizza dip – Once the cheese has melted, add a drizzle of honey over the top of the melted cheese.
Meat lovers pizza dip – stir in a 1/2 cup of cooked sausage crumbles or ground beef into the dip before adding the cheese.
How to store leftovers
If there is any of this delicious pizza dip left over, store it in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350 degrees or the microwave.
Make ahead instructions
Even though this is a simple recipe, this delicious appetizer can be started ahead of time. Make the sauce and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
About 30 minutes before serving, remove the sauce from the refrigerator. Once it’s at room temperature, place it in a preheated 375 degrees f oven for 8 to 10 minutes until it is heated through. Remove it and place the cheese on top.
Place it under a broiler (low to medium heat) and cook until the cheese has melted.
Tips
- For a quicker pizza dip, use your favorite premade marinara sauce or pizza sauce.
- Make a double batch of the sauce and freeze it for another day.
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You can make a larger portion of this pizza dip in your slow cooker. Double the recipe, and add the sauteed garlic, oil, and balsamic to the slow cooker. Stir in the tomatoes and basil and cook on low until the sauce is heated through. Add the cheese and serve it from the Crockpot once the cheese has melted and leave the appliance on warm. The Crockpot pizza dip will ensure that the cheese stays melted in the sauce.
You can use shredded cheese but the slices add a thick layer of chees on top of the dip. If you do use shredded cheese, try to shred the cheese yourself.
Do you like this recipe or have a question?
Please leave a comment or question and a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating below. I answer all your questions!
You might like these tasty appetizers too!
- Grilled jalapeno poppers
- Spinach artichoke stuffed mushrooms
- Air fryer buffalo cauliflower
- Cucumber hummus appetizers
Click on serving size to scale this recipe
Pizza Dip
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup Diced tomatoes
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Balsamic vinegar
- 3 ounces Mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon Fresh basil chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients: chop the garlic and slice the mozzarella cheese.
- Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the garlic and cook for a minute or two until it begins to soften.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the balsamic vinegar. Cook for a few minutes and stir in the tomatoes and basil. Simmer over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Transfer the sauce to an ovenproof dish and arrange the mozzarella slices on top of the sauce.
- Place the sauce with cheese under a broiler for a few minutes until the cheese melts.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used
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