Layered Pizza Dip

Okay it is now officially football season and I couldn't be happier.  Of course it helps that my team won big Saturday.  This dip is great for those Saturdays down south.  (That translates into watching football all day on Saturday) What makes this dip great other than the fact it is red and white is that you can make it ahead of time and just not bake it until you are ready.  That way you don't end up spending all day in the kitchen while your friends are having fun watching the game.

Just a few simple ingredients.  You can also add to it whatever toppings you might like.  I added the green pepper.

In a bowl mix up one 8 oz softened cream cheese block.  I used fat free.

Add to the cream cheese 1/2 c sour cream.  It was also reduced fat.

To that mixture add 1/4 c freshly grated Parmesan cheese.  I did not freshly grate mine but I didn't use the powder in the jar either.  As you can see there is a little bit more than 1/4 c too.  You can't have too much cheese.

Once you have that mixed well place it in a pie plate or some other dish that can be placed in the oven.  I spray mine with non stick spray.

Spread the cheese mixture evenly in the plate then add at least 1/2 c pizza sauce.  You can add as much as you like.  Some people like a lot of sauce and others not as much.  It will not use the entire jar so put it in the fridge to use another day.

Beginning to look like a pizza.

Top that with about 3/4 c of shredded mozzarella cheese.

On top of the cheese add the pepperoni.  I like the mini pepperonis for this recipe because otherwise you have to chop it into smaller pieces.  The small pieces are a time saver.

At this time add whatever other toppings you want to include.  I like green peppers so I added a few chopped ones.  If you like olives or mushrooms you could add those as well.  You don't want too much on top but a couple of toppings are nice. At this point I covered mine and put in the fridge until I was ready to bake it.  If you are going to bake it now place in a preheated 350 oven.

Now it is time to cut the bread or pita bread that you are going to use with the dip.  I normally like smaller loaves of bread as in not as round.  Sometimes you can find breadstick type bread.  This was the smallest I found.  Slice it not to thick or not to thin.  If it is too thin it won't hold the dip.  The original recipe called for pita bread.  Use whatever you like.

If you have put the dip in the fridge for later set it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you bake to keep your plate from cracking from the extreme temps.  Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes.  If it is cold it might take a little longer.  I like to turn the broil on for the last few minutes to give it that nice brown bubbly top.

Layered Pizza Dip Recipe

1 pkg (8oz) cream cheese softened

1/2 c sour cream

1/4 c grated parmesan cheese

1/2 t garlic salt

1/2 c prepared pizza sauce

3/4 c shredded mozzarella cheese

1 pkg sliced pepperoni chopped

bread for dipping.