Name: Pizza Dip
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
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)

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

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Pizza dip is a hot, cheesy dip made from a quick tomato-garlic-basil marinara sauce and melted mozzarella. It’s lighter than the cream cheese versions that you usually see at parties. A quick simmer with garlic, balsamic vinegar, and basil builds the flavor, then a few minutes under the broiler melts the cheese on top. It’s the kind of party appetizer that works for game day, a holiday table, or just a night when you want something hot and shareable without a long ingredient list.

Pizza dip with melted mozzarella cheese in a bowl with bread, pepperoni, olives and peppers

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I make pizza dip this way because I’ve never had cream cheese on pizza, so it doesn’t make sense to me for it to be the base of a pizza dip. Sometimes when I want a creamier version, I will add some ricotta cheese, Greek yogurt or sour cream. But this version with just mozzarella is perfect as is.

If you love healthier tasty appetizers, try these disco fries, stuffed mushrooms, or air fryer potato skins.

Recipe Highlights

Six ingredients, ready in under 20 minutes, start to finish.
A lighter version made with a tomato-garlic marinara sauce and melted mozzarella instead of the usual cream cheese base.
Good for game day, a holiday spread, or a fast dinner with a salad on the side.
Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to five days and reheat well in the oven.

A picture of ingredients needed to make pizza dip with mozarella cheese, garlic, diced tomatoes, basil, balsamic vinegar, olive oil

Ingredient Notes

Diced tomatoes – canned crushed tomatoes work too, or skip the food processor step entirely and use a jar of your favorite marinara or pizza sauce.
Garlic – out of fresh? Use 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder per clove.
Balsamic vinegar – red wine vinegar is a fine substitute, though you’ll lose a little of the sweetness.
Basil (optional) – dried basil or Italian seasoning both work, use about a third of the amount if going dried.
Mozzarella cheese – provolone melts just as well, or use a mozzarella-provolone mix.

How to Make Pizza Dip

Prepare the ingredients: chop the garlic, and slice or shred the mozzarella cheese.
Heat the olive oil in a cast iron skillet, or a heavy skillet. Once the oil is hot, add the garlic and cook for a few minutes until it begins to soften.
Reduce the heat and stir in the balsamic vinegar. Cook for a few minutes, then add the tomatoes and fresh basil. Simmer over low heat for 5 to 10 minutes. It’s the same simple approach I use for my homemade marinara sauce, and it works every time.
Carefully pour the sauce into a small baking dish and cover it with slices of cheese.
Place the dish under a broiler until the cheese melts.

TIP! The tomato sauce can be prepared in an oven-proof skillet such as a cast iron skillet and topped with cheese and into the oven in the same skillet.

Make it Your Way

As simple as this dip is you can easily make some changes to make it your own. Here are some suggestions.

Sauce and flavor – If you want a spicy flavor, stir in a teaspoon or two of red pepper flakes, to taste. If you like a sweeter sauce, try a drizzle of honey over the top.

Cheese – Extra cheesy: spread a layer of ricotta (about 1/2 cup) on the bottom of the dish before adding the sauce. Or try a different cheese entirely: swap mozzarella for provolone, or use a combination of provolone, mozzarella, and parmesan.

Add-ins – Stir in 1/2 cup of cooked sausage crumbles or ground beef before adding the cheese on top. I like my pepperoni on the side, but you can also top your dip with pepperoni slices.

I keep a jar of red pepper flakes right next to the stove for this one, it’s the change I make most often. If you like that same spicy kick, my buffalo chicken dip made with Greek yogurt hits that note without the cream cheese base either.

If you like cooking this way, changing the cheese, the sauce, or what you stir in, my Dinner Builders are built around exactly that idea.

overhead view of pizza dip in a bowl with a plate of dippers bread, pepperoni, olives and peppers

What to Serve with Pizza Dip

Italian bread or baguette makes a nice dipper for pizza dip as well as your favorite pizza toppings like black olives, pepperoni slices, roasted peppers, pita chips, tortilla chips, pizza dough balls, breadsticks, green peppers, red peppers, mushrooms, pineapple, ham or sliced cooked sausage. This pizza dip is also a great addition to a charcuterie board, and I have a whole collection of appetizer and snack recipes if you want to round out a spread.

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.

A piece of bread dipped into cheesy pizza sauce

How to Make Pizza Dip Ahead of Time

Even though this is a simple recipe, you can start this delicious appetizer ahead of time. Make the sauce and refrigerate it 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.

How to Make Pizza Dip in a Slow Cooker

A slow cooker is the easiest way to make a large batch, and it keeps the dip warm and melted for as long as your party runs. Double the recipe, then add the sautéed garlic, oil, and balsamic vinegar to the slow cooker. Stir in the tomatoes and any optional add-ins, and cook on low for about 2 hours, until the sauce is heated through. Add the cheese on top, cover, and cook until it’s melted. Leave it on warm to serve directly from the slow cooker; the cheese stays melted the whole time. My spinach artichoke dip stuffed mushrooms work the same way for a party spread, easy to make ahead and serve warm alongside this one