Pizza Dip

Recipe from Tiphero

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 3 cups Italian cheese blend, divided
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce
• mini pepperoni slices

Optional toppings include cooked and crumbled Italian sausage, green pepper diced small, black olives sliced, and red onion diced small

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Blend together softened cream cheese, 2 cups of Italian cheese blend, Italian seasoning and the garlic powder.  I used my stand mixer to do this.
3. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly into the bottom of a pie plate or other casserole dish.  Could also use a 8 inch cast iron skillet.
4. Pour the pizza sauce over the cheese layer and spread it out evenly to the sides of the baking dish.  Top with 1 cup of Italian blend cheese and mini pepperoni slices and whatever other toppings you are using.
5. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and bubbly.
6. Allow to cool slightly and serve with chips or pretzels.