Nancy's Cream Cheese Pizza Dip

One of the pizza places we really like here in town is called Marley's. They make an excellent deep dish, Chicago style, pizza and a super yummy Pizza dip which we always order when we eat there. The first time I got it, I was a little skeptical of eating a mixture of cream cheese with pizza sauce, but I fell in food love with the first bite. I mean, when you think about it, what isn't good with cream cheese?

A couple of weeks ago I was craving the dip and decided I'd try making my own version at home. It was a hit with all my kids and their friends too… and, if I do say so myself, it was as good as Marley's. So good that I will probably be adding this to our Christmas get together where we have nothing but snacks and finger foods for dinner.

OH, and it is fast and easy to make!

Nancy's Cream Cheese Pizza Dip

24 oz cream cheese ( 3 - 8 oz. blocks)

1 green pepper, diced

1/4 red onion, diced

5 oz sliced pepperoni (or chopped will make it easier for dipping)

About 8 oz. (1/2 jar) Pasta / Pizza / Marinara sauce

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Grated Parmesan Cheese (optional)

Pita Chips, Fritos or Tortilla Chips for dipping

Slice the cream cheese into slices and pat into appx 9 x 13 baking dish so that it covers the bottom.

Sprinkle chopped green pepper, onion and a handful of mozzarella over cream cheese. Optional, sprinkle with some grated parmesan.

Next, layer the pepperoni over the veggies to cover completely (since posting this I have made this several more times and began using about double the pepperoni and grinding it or chopping it in small pieces so the dip is easier to scoop). Sprinkle with a little more grated parmesan and mozzarella.

Pour a thin layer of the saucer over the pepperoni and spread it out to cover completely.

Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes, until sauce begins to brown around edges of pan and looks a little dry.

Top with remaining shredded mozzarella and return to over for about 10 minutes to brown or Broil for a few minutes. I broiled it here to get the cheese super bubbly. Just be sure to watch closely if you broil it because it can burn so fast!