Spicy Italian Sausage Dip

Spicy Italian Sausage Dip is a crowd-friendly recipe that brings together a kick of heat, creamy cheese, and zesty seasonings in one dish.

Whether you’re hosting a party or just want something fun to snack on, this dip is easy to throw together and guaranteed to be a hit.

Equipment

• 9×9 glass casserole dish (optional)

Ingredients

• 1 lb spicy Italian sausage (casings removed)
• 1 tbsp onion, finely chopped
• 1 block cream cheese, softened
• 1 (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• ½ cup chopped banana peppers
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, divided in half
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp all purpose seasoning (such as Adobo)
• Salt to taste
• Toasted baguette slices, chips, or crackers (for serving)
• Chopped parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Brown the Sausage
   Heat a cast iron over medium heat. Remove the sausage casings and add the meat to the pan, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, then remove from the pan and let it cool.
2. Preheat and Mix
   Preheat your oven to 350℉. In a large glass bowl, combine the cooled sausage, cream cheese, crushed tomatoes, banana peppers, ½ cup of the mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and all the seasonings. Stir well and taste; add salt if needed. (It won’t look pretty just yet, but trust the process.)
3. Assemble the Dip
   Spray your casserole dish with oil. Spread the dip mixture evenly in the dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese, plus a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
4. Bake and Broil
   Place the dish in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the edges start to bubble. Then switch your oven to broil and let the cheese brown slightly, which usually takes around 3 minutes. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
5. Finish and Serve
   Once done, remove from the oven and let the dip cool for about 15 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley, and serve warm with toasted baguette slices, chips, or crackers.

Storage Instructions

If you have leftovers, allow the dip to cool before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, you can pop it in the microwave or warm it in the oven at 350℉ for about 10–15 minutes until it’s heated through. If you prefer freezing, store the cooled dip in a freezer-safe container for up to a month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat as usual. Keep in mind that the cheesy consistency may change a little after freezing, but it will still be delicious.