This cheesy veggie loaded pizza dip is perfect for game day or a party appetizer and uses my secret way to add veggies to sauce!
I have heard that more pizzas are ordered for the Big Game than any other day of the year.
This confuses me. I mean, pizza, of course. But chili is so traditional for me for game day. How can you not have chili?!
So for those of you thinking, how can you not have pizza? Or those of you feeling so torn, I have your answer - eat both!
Serve this veggie loaded pizza dip as an appetizer and make chili for dinner. Everyone wins!
And hopefully so does the team you’re rooting for in the big game!
This dip is one that you can prep ahead and just pop in the oven when you’re ready, so you’re not stuck in the kitchen while all the fun is happening in the other room.
The host should always enjoy the party, too!
Plus, this pizza dip is so easy to make.
And not complicated ingredients either - you just need some canned tomatoes, fresh vegetables and some bread from the bakery to serve this with.
And I'm sharing with you my secret way to add nutrition without changing flavor.
I do it ALL the time with tomato sauce for pizza, spaghetti and other Italian dishes.
PRO MOM TIP: Add a couple handfuls of fresh spinach to part of the sauce or tomatoes and blend it up. You can’t taste the spinach but you get all the benefits of the extra veggies.
My kids don’t even know regular sauce because I've always made it this way for them. #momwin
(And for the record, I don’t lie about it or try to be sneaky - they help me and know there is spinach, or sometimes other veggies, added to their sauce. That way, they know they like vegetables!)
As for serving, I like to sprinkle this pizza dip with some fresh chopped basil and offer up baguette slices.
You can make them as thin and crispy or thick and bready as you like your pizza.
And I usually serve this pizza dip with mini sweet peppers as well (how cute are they?!) for friends who are gluten free or low carb.
Everyone can dig into this veggie loaded pizza dip and it’s sure to be a hit at your party!
(Feel free to serve with those cute little mini pepperonis on top as well!)
Plus, it's totally stress-free to make. That’s worthy of a victory dance.
As is the major cheese factor of this pizza dip!
Last thing, what to do with any leftovers.
Leftover pizza dip, once cooled, can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheat small portions in the microwave until hot.
I hope you give this a try soon - and I hope your team wins the game!
Enjoy!
XO,
Kathryn
Veggie-Loaded Pizza Dip
This cheesy veggie loaded pizza dip is perfect for game day or a party appetizer and uses my secret way to add veggies to sauce!
Ingredients
- 2 (14.5 oz.) cans diced tomatoes (see notes)
- 2 handfuls of spinach leaves
- 1 red or green bell pepper, chopped small
- 1 cup mushrooms, chopped small (I use white button mushrooms)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- For serving: fresh chopped basil, cut mini sweet bell peppers, baguette slices (toasted, if desired)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375.
- Drain both cans of tomatoes very well. Place one can in a blender or immersion blender cup. Add spinach and blend until well mixed.
- Add the tomato-spinach mixture to a large bowl with remaining can of tomatoes and remaining ingredients, using ½ cup of the mozzarella cheese.
- Mix until well combined and pour the veggie mixture into a greased 2-quart baking dish. Top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese.
- Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes, until the dip is bubbly and the cheese is melted.
- Sprinkle with chopped fresh basil and serve with baguette slices (toasted, if desired) and mini sweet bell peppers.
Notes
Tomatoes: I like to use one can of regular diced and one can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes but you could do two of either variety if you'd rather.
Make ahead: You can prep this ahead and put it in the fridge. When you’re ready to cook it, pull the dish out of the fridge and let it sit on the counter while you pre-heat the oven. When the oven is heated, pop it in: it should still take just about 20-25 minutes to get hot and bubbly.
Additions: You can add some mini pepperoni slices (½ cup) or diced cooked chicken (1 cup) to make this more of a meal. Serve over baguette slices or toasted bakery bread - makes a great dinner!
Leftovers: Leftovers, once cooled, can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 190Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 501mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 3gSugar: 4gProtein: 11g
Annie @ Annie's Noms
This looks so addictive! And the perfect way for people (like me!) who don't adore vegetables to get them in as they're in this gorgeous dip!
Kathryn
Thanks Annie! Smother them with cheese and sauce, dip some bread in there, and YES, you are set on the veggie front!
Christie
I love all the veggies you added. What a fabulous way to add nutrition to a party dip.
Kathryn
Thanks Christie! It's got the veggie pizza goodness going on plus all the cheese and saucy fun of a dip 🙂
Ali @ Home & Plate
Wow that looks amazing. What time is the game on...be right over;)
Kathryn
Haha, come on over Ali! I'll save you some 🙂
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass
Dear Kathryn, What an amazing pizza dip! Love the extra veggies tucked inside. And the cheese. The CHEESE!!!! Need I say more? Can't wait to try this delicious dip, all my boys will enjoy it!
Kathryn
Ha, thanks Allie! All you see is CHEESE, right? But oh, the goodness that awaits underneath is just as lovely 🙂 Hope you and the boys love this dip!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
Sounds like the perfect party food. Who doesn't like CHEESE....this sounds like a winner to me!!
Kathryn
Thanks Gloria! We've definitely got lots of cheese here (plus lots of veggies!)
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Pizza in dip form is all sorts of YES for the big game! And chili. 😉 Love that you snuck veggies in here and I LOVE love love that this is super easy to whip together! I know I want to actually watch the game (and hopefully NC win), and not be stuck slaving in the kitchen! Pizza dip for the win! Genius, my dear! Cheers! <3
Kathryn
Thanks Cheyanne! It really is great for getting to enjoy yourself, too (which I'm ALL about, especially for this year!) And of course I snuck some veggies in - can't help myself 😉
Aggie @ Aggie's Kitchen
My parent's owned a pizzeria most of my life and Super Bowl Sunday was a crazy day for orders. You just reminded me of that actually , lol. This dip looks amazing...pass me some bread!
Kathryn
Ha, that's funny you know first-hand the craziness of the pizza madness 🙂 This version at least frees you up to party and watch the game! Bread coming your way! 😉
Lisa @ Chocolate Meets Strawberry
Love it, Kathryn! So many flavours that I love in there! Can't stop staring at the photo where the cheese is stretchy... Sooo much cheesy goodness right there, and even better when there are veggies secretly hidden below 😀
Kathryn
Thanks Lisa! Can't beat some stretchy cheese! And I'm with you on loving that there are loads of veggies to go with it!!
Kate @ Framed Cooks
My daughter lives right outside of Raleigh, so you KNOW I am rooting for the Panthers! And making this pizza dip!!
Kathryn
I approve on both counts, Kate! You are totally welcome at our house on game day 🙂
Willow | Will Cook For Friends
This sounds PERFECT for game day! Or any party, for that matter. I am all for anything that can be prepped in advance and then thrown in the oven when needed, and the fact that it's packed with veggies is even better. I always add tons of veggies to tomato sauce, but have never tried blending up some spinach into it... that is such a good idea!
Kathryn
Thanks Willow! This does go well with football watching 😉 And the spinach-sauce blend is a trick I use all the time for spaghetti, pizza sauce, marinara - so easy!
linda \\ the baker who kerns
This look so gooooooood! Never heard of a pizza dip before, but I WANT IT!
Kathryn
Thanks Linda! You should definitely give it a try 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter
Love this idea of pizza dip! It looks SO good and I love how easy it is to make! Perfect for game day!
Kathryn
Thanks Kelly!! I'm all about the easy when my team is playing 🙂
karrie@TastyEverAfter
I love this dip but I don't love your Panthers or Cam (sorry...not really). My Pats lost so I'm in mourning right now. I'm not even going to watch the Super Bowl; however, I will party that day and eat dip, so there's that!
Kathryn
Well... there's that. I forgive you, Karrie. But you should see the error of your ways and cheer us on. Or at least eat lots of dip and give a grudging nod in our direction. 😉
Sonal
Another winner recipe Kathryn :).
Sonal
Kathryn
Thanks Sonal!
Nancy |Plus Ate Six
I can't imagine there is a living soul who wouldn't love pizza dip. I have no idea about Super Bowl I'm afraid but hope your team wins!
Kathryn
Right? Pizza dip for everyone! And no worries, as long as you're hoping my team wins, that's all you need to worry about with the Superbowl 😉
Adina
I've never had such a dip although I've seen lots of recipes on American blogs, they seem to be something very American. I would love to try one soon, I think my children would love it as well. It would be also a great dish to impress friends with, nobody around here has had anything like it before, I am sure.
Kathryn
Can you blame us? Pizza in dip form? Ah, so good! 🙂 Hope you'll introduce it to everyone in Germany and get them hooked too!
Karly
This dip looks amazing! Thanks for linking up with What's Cookin' Wednesday!
Kathryn
Thanks Karly!
Jeannine
Can this be made in a crock pot!
Kathryn
Hi Jeannine, I'm not sure that would work. It might end up a bit too watery since all the condensation is retained in a slow cooker. But you can prep it ahead and then bake it when you're ready if that helps!