White Pizza Dip Recipe
If you’re looking for a show-stopping appetizer that brings all the cozy, cheesy goodness of pizza into a creamy, irresistible spread, then this White Pizza Dip is your new best friend. Imagine the perfect blend of rich cream cheese, sharp Parmesan, gooey mozzarella, and luscious ricotta, all kicked up with fresh basil, garlic, and a hint of red pepper flakes. It’s the kind of dip that invites everyone to dig in with warm, buttery garlic knots fresh from the oven—a guaranteed crowd-pleaser every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making White Pizza Dip might sound fancy, but it’s actually delightfully simple, and every ingredient plays an important role in creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and freshness.
- Pizza dough: Whether homemade or store-bought, this forms the soft, pillowy garlic knots perfect for dipping.
- Olive oil: Adds a subtle fruity note and helps crisp up your knots beautifully.
- Unsalted butter: Mixed with garlic and herbs, it bastes your knots with rich, savory goodness.
- Parmesan cheese (in two places!): A salty, nutty punch for both the knots and creamy dip layers.
- Cream cheese: The dreamily smooth base that gives the White Pizza Dip its luscious texture.
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts perfectly, adding that classic stretchy, cheesy factor.
- Ricotta cheese: Brings a light, creamy element that keeps the dip from feeling heavy.
- Milk: Just a splash to make everything come together smoothly.
- Fresh basil: Bright, aromatic, and the perfect green pop of freshness.
- Minced garlic: Elevates the dip with its warm, flavorful kick.
- Italian seasoning: Adds a traditional herb blend to the garlic knots for extra depth.
- Red pepper flakes: A gentle heat that wakes up the dip without overpowering it.
- Kosher salt: Essential for enhancing all the wonderful flavors at play.
How to Make White Pizza Dip
Step 1: Prepare the Skillet and Dough
Start by brushing a cast iron skillet with olive oil and placing a small bowl or crock in the center—this will hold your dip later. Then, divide your pizza dough into 12 equal pieces, and further cut each into 3 smaller pieces. Roll these dough pieces into tight balls and toss them in olive oil to keep them moist and full of flavor.
Step 2: Arrange and Proof the Dough Balls
Place the dough balls around the edge of the oiled skillet, leaving the center clear. Cover the skillet and let the dough rise in a warm spot, like your oven with just the light on, for about an hour. This step gives your garlic knots the perfect airy, fluffy texture.
Step 3: Make the White Pizza Dip
While the dough proofs, mix together the cheeses, milk, basil, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl. Stir until everything is well combined, creating a smooth, creamy dip bursting with fresh and savory flavors.
Step 4: Bake
Remove the crock from the skillet’s center and spoon your White Pizza Dip into this space. Pop the skillet in a 375°F oven and bake for about 28-30 minutes, until the dip is bubbly and the knots are golden brown. For a little extra color and texture, you can even broil for a couple of minutes at the end.
Step 5: Brush Garlic Butter and Serve
While baking, whisk together melted butter, Parmesan, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and kosher salt. Once the skillet comes out of the oven, brush this flavorful butter mixture over the garlic knots for a shining, irresistible finish. Let everything cool just a bit before serving, then watch everyone dive in!
How to Serve White Pizza Dip
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped basil or parsley right before serving not only makes the dip look stunning but adds a refreshing herbal lift that cuts through the richness. A quick dusting of extra Parmesan or a drizzle of high-quality olive oil never hurts either.
Side Dishes
While the garlic knots are perfect dippers on their own, you can also serve your White Pizza Dip with crunchy vegetable sticks like celery, cucumber, or bell peppers. It complements the creamy dip beautifully and offers a crisp texture contrast to the soft knots.
Creative Ways to Present
Rather than serving this dip from the skillet alone, transfer the White Pizza Dip into a rustic bread bowl or individual ramekins for a fun twist. For parties, offer a spread with an assortment of crackers or toasted baguette slices alongside the garlic knots for an irresistible buffet centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any White Pizza Dip left after the fun, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. You might want to keep the garlic knots separate to maintain their texture.
Freezing
For longer storage, you can freeze the White Pizza Dip in a tightly sealed container for up to one month. Garlic knots are best enjoyed fresh, but if you freeze them, reheat gently to avoid drying out.
Reheating
Warm the dip in the oven at 350°F until bubbly once more, or microwave individual portions in short bursts. Reheat garlic knots separately in the oven to bring back their crisp exterior and soft, fluffy center.
FAQs
Can I make this dip without fresh basil?
Absolutely! While fresh basil adds a lovely bright note, you can substitute with dried basil or even fresh spinach for a different twist. Just adjust the amount as dried herbs are more concentrated.
Is there a substitute for ricotta cheese?
If you don’t have ricotta on hand, cream cheese or even cottage cheese can work in a pinch, though ricotta’s light texture really helps keep the dip from becoming too dense.
Can I use pre-made garlic knots?
You can, but making your own from pizza dough lets you brush them with that buttery, garlicky mixture baked right in—they taste far fresher and more special!
How spicy is this White Pizza Dip?
The red pepper flakes add just a gentle warmth that complements the creamy cheeses rather than overpowering. Feel free to adjust the amount to suit your heat tolerance.
Can this dip be made vegan?
With some ingredient swaps like vegan cream cheese, mozzarella alternatives, and dairy-free butter, you can adapt the recipe. Keep in mind the flavors will change slightly but can still be delicious!
Final Thoughts
Trust me when I say that this White Pizza Dip with its soft, garlicky knots is one of those recipes you’ll want to keep in your back pocket for gatherings, game days, or cozy nights in. It’s creamy, flavorful, and downright addictive—all the things that make comfort food truly memorable. So grab your skillet and get ready for some serious dipping joy!
PrintWhite Pizza Dip Recipe
This White Pizza Dip recipe combines creamy cheeses with fresh basil and zesty garlic, baked to bubbly perfection surrounded by soft, buttery garlic knots. Perfect as a shareable appetizer, the warm skillet features a luscious white cheese dip encircled by golden, herb-infused dough bites.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Garlic Knots
- 24 oz pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
- 1½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp kosher salt
For the White Pizza Dip
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- 1 Tbsp milk
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- 1½ tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare Skillet: Brush a 9-inch or 10-inch cast iron skillet with olive oil. Place a small bowl or crock in the center of the skillet and set aside. This will hold the dip later and keep the dough rings evenly spaced.
- Divide Dough: Divide the pizza dough into 12 equal pieces, approximately 2 ounces each. Cut each piece into 3 smaller pieces. Roll each piece between the countertop and your palm in a circular motion until the dough balls become tight and smooth.
- Coat Dough Balls: Place olive oil in a large bowl and add the dough balls. Toss gently until they are well coated with olive oil.
- Arrange Dough in Skillet: Place the dough balls evenly around the outer edge of the prepared skillet, forming a ring around the central bowl. Cover the skillet and place it in a warm location (such as inside an oven with just the light on) to let the dough rise for 1 hour.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) while the dough is rising.
- Make the Dip: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, ricotta, milk, chopped fresh basil, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Stir until the mixture is smooth and thoroughly combined.
- Assemble in Skillet: Remove the cover and the small bowl from the skillet. Spoon the prepared white pizza dip mixture into the now-empty center of the skillet, inside the ring of dough balls.
- Bake: Place the skillet in the oven and bake at 375°F for 28 to 30 minutes, or until the top of the dip is lightly browned and bubbly. (Optional: For a golden-brown top, switch the oven to broil for 2-3 minutes after baking.)
- Prepare Garlic Butter: While the dip is baking, whisk together the melted butter, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and kosher salt in a small bowl.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and brush the garlic butter mixture evenly over the garlic knots. Let the dish cool slightly before serving to enjoy warm, cheesy dip with savory buttery knots.
Notes
- Using a small bowl or crock in the center helps hold the dip separate from the dough while baking.
- Warm rising environment (such as the oven with just the light on) ensures the dough balls rise properly.
- For a crispier top, finish baking under broil for a couple of minutes but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- This recipe works well with homemade or high-quality store-bought pizza dough.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor – the dip is delicious when warm and gooey.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximate, including dip and garlic knots)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
Keywords: white pizza dip, garlic knots, cheese dip, appetizer, party food, Italian dip
