This party food is pepperoni pizza in dip form. A combination of mozzarella and Parmesan gives it plenty of cheesy flavor. Cream cheese, which is very stable when melted, holds the dip together while it bakes. Adding jarred pizza sauce, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes made it taste like it came straight from a pizza shop. Thin bread sticks make great dippers.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz cream cheese, cut into 8 pieces (or, save a step, use 8 oz soft cream cheese spread)
• ¾ c jarred pizza sauce (or Marinara sauce)
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
• 4 oz whole-milk mozzarella cheese, shredded (1 cup)
• 3 oz pepperoni, cut into ¼-inch pieces  or presliced cut into 1/4
• 1 oz Parmesan cheese, grated (½ cup)
• 6 Tab thinly sliced scallions, divided

Directions:

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 425°.
2. Microwave cream cheese in large bowl until soft, 20 to 30 seconds.
3. Stir in pizza sauce, garlic, oregano, and pepper flakes until thoroughly combined.
4. Stir in mozzarella, pepperoni, Parmesan, and 4 tablespoons scallions.
5. Transfer cream cheese mixture to 1-quart casserole dish.
6. Smooth top with rubber spatula.
7. Bake until spotty brown and bubbling at edges, 17 to 20 minutes.
8. Let cool for 10 minutes.
9. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons scallions.

Serves: 6

Source:  americastestkitchen.com/