This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Sloppy Hot Italian Cheese Dip. Spicy Italian chicken sausage mixed with onions, bell peppers, garlic, and Italian seasoning. All cooked together to create a wonderfully creamy “sloppy” cheese dip! Add tomatoes, basil pesto, and three Italian-style cheese: parmesan, provolone, and a spicy cheddar or fontina. Then, top with big pepperoni slices and bake until the cheese gets all bubbly on top. Top with fresh parsley and serve with crusty warm ciabatta bread. It’s just the yummiest dip!
We’ve never been a family that hosts a big Super Bowl party, but I’ve always looked forward to Super Bowl Sunday!
When my family lived in Cleveland, Super Bowl Sunday was always a fun night. It meant that we got to order carry-out, either pizza or BW3s (if you’re from Ohio, you know all about BW3s – Mom just said they’re all over the country now). We would eat in front of the TV while watching the game, we all had fun.
Of course, the halftime show has always been my favorite. It’s fun to see the live performances!
I know so many of you are having Super Bowl gatherings with friends. I love to share recipes for entertaining!
This dip is the perfect Super Bowl dip! Inspired by a Sloppy Joe dip but I decided to give it a twist. I turned it into a Sloppy Italian dip using a mix of Italian seasonings and cheeses.
It came out so delicious – best enjoyed with fresh ciabatta!
These are the details
Ingredients
- spicy Italian chicken sausage – you can also spicy Italian pork or beef sausage
- yellow onions
- red bell peppers
- garlic
- Italian seasoning
- tomato paste
- cream cheese
- basil pesto
- parmesan cheese
- provolone cheese
- spicy cheddar or fontina cheese
- fresh parsley
Special Tools
For this recipe, you’ll need an ovensafe skillet. Nothing fancy!
Steps
Step 1: cook the meat
When my Whole Foods has it, I always grab the spicy Italian chicken sausage they make at the meat counter. It’s one of my favorite Whole Foods items!
If it’s not available, I like to use traditional spicy Italian pork or beef sausage.
Working in an oven-safe skillet, cook the meat with the onions, the red bell peppers, and the garlic.
Step 2: add the seasonings
Next mix in your favorite Italian seasoning. I like to make my own with dried parsley, dried oregano, dried basil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and chili flakes. Sometimes I’ll add dried rosemary too!
Sprinkle the seasoning over the meat. Add the tomato paste and let this cook another minute.
Step 3: make it creamy
Next add some water to skillet as well as the cream cheese and basil pesto.
Let this simmer over medium heat a few minutes until it is creamy. Then stir in the parmesan, then pull the skillet off the heat.
Step 4: bake
Top the dip with provolone and spicy cheddar. I love the rattle snake cheddar from Whole Foods!
Add pepperoni and place the skillet in the oven to finish cooking and get that cheese all melty!
Some ideas for serving:
Serve this dip topped with fresh parsley or basil. My favorite is to serve this dip warm, along with a loaf of freshly baked ciabatta bread. I think it’s so delicious!
Other yummy options for scooping would be a simple crostini, toasted slices of French bread, or your favorite cracker! A rosemary cracker would be great!
Warm ciabatta bread is my favorite though! Give it a try and you’ll be hooked for life.
A fun Super Bowl appetizer. Whether it’s a big game day party or a night in with family, everyone will enjoy this tasty dip!!
Looking for other easy appetizers?? Here are my favorites:
Whipped Goat Cheese Candied Bacon Dip
Sweet and Savory Cheesy Bacon Wrapped Puff Pastry Twists
Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates
Pull Apart Roasted Garlic Pizza Dip Sliders
Lastly, if you make this Sloppy Hot Italian Cheese Dip, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Sloppy Hot Italian Cheese Dip
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 328 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
-
1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.2. In a large oven-safe skillet, add the meat, onions, bell peppers, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper. Set over medium-high heat and cook for 10 minutes until the meat is browned. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add 1 cup of water, the cream cheese, pesto, and pepperoncini. Simmer for 5 minutes, until creamy. Mix in the parmesan.3. Remove from the heat. Sprinkle the cheese over the dish. Arrange the pepperoni on top. Bake for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted.4. Serve topped with chopped parsley. Enjoy with warm bread, toasted French bread, or crackers.
