Spicy Italian Sausage Dip Recipe
This Spicy Italian Sausage Dip is a rich, flavorful appetizer featuring spicy Italian sausage, creamy cheeses, tangy pickled peppers, and zesty seasonings. Perfectly baked until bubbling and golden, it pairs wonderfully with toasted baguette slices or crunchy tortilla chips for a crowd-pleasing starter.
- Author: mia
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Salt
Sausage and Peppers
- 1 lb. Johnsonville spicy Italian sausage, crumbled (ground or uncase the links)
- 1 – 12 oz can diced tomatoes, drained well
- 1/2 cup pickled banana peppers, diced (drained well)
- 1/2 cup pickled cherry peppers, diced (drained well)
Cheeses
- 2 cups mozzarella, shredded (divided)
- 3/4 cup Parmesan, grated
- 1 block cream cheese, softened (8 oz)
Seasonings
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- Freshly grated black pepper, to taste
For Serving
- Toasted buttered baguette slices or tortilla chips
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the dip.
- Cook the Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the crumbled sausage until fully browned and cooked through. Once done, drain and strain out excess grease for a less oily dip.
- Mix the Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked sausage, diced tomatoes, pickled banana peppers, pickled cherry peppers, parmesan cheese, and 1 1/2 cups of the shredded mozzarella to the cream cheese mixture. Stir everything together until well incorporated.
- Bake the Dip: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and spread the mixture evenly inside. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes until the dip is hot and bubbling.
- Broil for Finish: Switch your oven setting to broil and broil the dip for 2-3 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Serve the spicy Italian sausage dip warm with toasted, buttered baguette slices or crunchy tortilla chips for dipping. Enjoy this crowd-pleasing appetizer!
Notes
- Ensure the diced tomatoes and pickled peppers are well drained to avoid a watery dip.
- You can adjust the red pepper flakes amount according to your preferred spice level.
- Use fresh grated Parmesan for the best flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- This dip can also be made with mild Italian sausage for less heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe (about 1/2 cup)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Spicy Italian Sausage Dip, appetizer, party dip, sausage dip, cheesy dip, Italian dip, baked dip