Description

This Sloppy Hot Italian Cheese Dip is a flavorful, hearty appetizer combining spicy Italian sausage, creamy cheeses, and zesty seasonings baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect for parties or casual gatherings, it features layers of savory meats, creamy tomato and pesto sauce, and melty provolone, cheddar, and parmesan cheeses topped with pepperoni and fresh parsley.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

1 pound spicy Italian chicken sausage or beef sausage
1 yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 red bell peppers, chopped

Seasonings and Sauces

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup water
3 ounces cream cheese
2 tablespoons basil pesto
2 tablespoons chopped pepperoncini

Cheeses and Toppings

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded provolone cheese
1/2 cup shredded spicy cheddar or fontina cheese
3 ounces thin sliced pepperoni
Chopped fresh parsley, for serving

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Gather and chop the onion, garlic, and red bell peppers to prepare for cooking.
Cook Sausage and Vegetables: In a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, add the spicy Italian sausage, chopped onions, bell peppers, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and black pepper. Cook for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and the vegetables have softened.
Add Tomato Paste and Simmer: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes to deepen the flavor. Then add 1 cup of water, cream cheese, basil pesto, and chopped pepperoncini. Reduce heat slightly and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until creamy and well combined.
Mix in Parmesan Cheese: Stir in the grated parmesan cheese into the creamy sausage mixture until fully incorporated.
Top with Cheeses and Pepperoni: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle the shredded provolone and spicy cheddar or fontina evenly over the mixture. Then, neatly arrange the thinly sliced pepperoni on top of the cheeses.
Bake: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top.
Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve the dip warm with toasted French bread, crackers, or warm bread for dipping.

Notes

If you don’t have pepperoncini, substitute with banana peppers or omit for less heat.
Use an oven-safe skillet such as cast iron to avoid transferring the dip between pans.
Adjust the spiciness by choosing mild or hot Italian sausage according to your preference.
Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Serve immediately after baking for the best melty cheese texture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Italian cheese dip, spicy sausage dip, baked cheese dip, appetizer, party dip, pepperoni dip