Pizza Dip with Ground Beef

This pizza dip with ground beef and sausage comes from Taste of Home reader Stephanie Gates of Waterloo, Iowa, and is a foolproof formula for a crowd-pleasing party appetizer. It’s a meaty, hearty hot dip packed with pizza-inspired flavors—savory meat, bold tomato sauce, bell peppers, Italian herbs and Parmesan cheese. Everything warms together in the slow cooker until perfectly scoopable, making prep easy and hands-free when you’re entertaining.

When it’s time to dig in, set out a platter of toasty garlic bread strips for scooping, or offer an assortment of dippers, such as chips, crackers, pretzels and veggies. Don’t forget the plates and napkins—this is the kind of dip guests will happily munch on while they mingle at game-day gatherings or potlucks.

Ingredients for Pizza Dip with Ground Beef

• Ground meat: This dip features a combination of ground beef and pork sausage, which gives it a hearty, meaty taste and texture. For a lighter flavor, swap in ground poultry, or use plant-based meat crumbles for a meatless option.
• Crushed tomatoes: The tomatoes add tangy acidity and deliver moisture, creating a pizza sauce-like texture. If you don’t have crushed tomatoes, you can squish San Marzano tomatoes by hand or pulse them in a blender for a slightly chunkier texture.
• Bell pepper: This recipe uses green bell pepper for a little crunch and aromatic depth. Red or yellow varieties work too if you prefer a slightly sweeter flavor.
• Parmesan cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese adds salty, nutty depth and melts to help thicken the dip. For an extra-cheesy touch, top the dip with additional cheese before serving.
• Tomato paste: A spoonful of tomato paste enhances the deep, rich tomato flavor without adding extra liquid. Freeze the rest of a can in ice cube trays for later use, or opt for tomato paste tubes for convenient portioning.
• Garlic: A minced garlic clove adds subtle aromatic warmth and depth. Garlic lovers, feel free to increase the amount for a stronger flavor.
• Seasoning: Italian seasoning adds herby, classic pizza flavor, while crushed red pepper adds a bit of heat. Adjust to taste, and taste the dip before serving to balance salt and spice levels.
• Garlic bread dippers: For scooping, garlic bread adds a toasty, buttery element that complements the cheesy, meaty dip. For the freshest flavor, make homemade garlic bread, or opt for frozen, store-bought garlic bread for convenience. For easy dipping, slice the bread into strips or rounds.

Directions

Step 1: Brown the meat

Heat a large skillet set over medium heat. Add the ground beef and pork sausage and cook, stirring frequently, for five to seven minutes or until the meat is browned all over and no pink remains.​

Editor’s Tip: Break the meat into crumbles as it cooks for even distribution in the dip.

Step 2: Combine the dip in the slow cooker

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the browned meat to a 3-quart slow cooker. Add the crushed tomatoes, chopped bell pepper, Parmesan cheese, tomato paste, minced garlic and seasonings, stirring to combine.

Step 3: Slow-cook until hot and melty

Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for two to three hours, until the dip is heated through.

Step 4: Serve with dippers

Serve the dip warm with garlic bread for scooping.

Editor’s Tip: If serving at a party, keep the slow cooker set to warm so the dip stays hot, melty and scoopable.

Recipe Variations

• Change up the meat: Swap in a full pound of Italian sausage for the ground beef and sausage for a bold twist, or stir in classic pizza toppings like chopped pepperoni, crumbled bacon or diced ham. For a lighter option, use cooked ground chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken instead.
• Include more veggies: Saute onions or mushrooms with the ground meat before transferring everything to the slow cooker.
• Serve with other dippers: Instead of garlic bread, try the dip with sturdy crackers, toasted baguette, pretzels, raw vegetables, or tortilla or corn chips for scooping.
• Add a topping: Layer sliced olives, zesty pepperoni, dried oregano, fresh basil, pepperoncini or a dusting of grated Parmesan on top of the dip for even more pizza flavor.
• Make a cheesier version: Mix in extra Parmesan or shredded mozzarella or provolone for more of an ooey-gooey crowd-pleasing dip, or add a few spoonfuls of ricotta or cream cheese—they’ll melt into the dip for a rich, creamy texture.
• Skip the slow cooker: After browning the meat, combine the remaining ingredients in the skillet and heat through on the stovetop, or transfer the mixture to an oven-safe dish and bake until hot and bubbly.

How to Store Pizza Dip with Ground Beef

Let the pizza dip cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store the dip in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Can you freeze pizza dip with ground beef?

Yes, you can freeze pizza dip with ground beef. Let the dip cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer for up to two months. Partially thaw the dip overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in a saucepan on the stovetop.

Can you make pizza dip with ground beef ahead of time?

Yes! Making pizza dip with ground beef ahead of time is a great way to save time prepping for parties or game day, and the flavors only get better. You can brown the meat and mix all the ingredients in the slow-cooker insert or a storage container up to one day in advance, then cover and refrigerate. When you’re ready to serve, heat the dip in the slow cooker or gently on the stovetop.

How do you reheat pizza dip with ground beef?

Reheat the pizza dip in a saucepan over low heat, stirring often. You can also microwave it in short intervals until heated through.

Pizza Dip with Ground Beef Tips

Can you make pizza dip without a slow cooker?

Absolutely! Instead of using a slow cooker, you can make pizza dip with ground beef on the stovetop or bake it in the oven. After browning and draining the meat, stir in the remaining ingredients, cover, and simmer over medium-low heat until the dip is hot and bubbly, about 15 minutes.

To bake it, brown the meat and combine all the remaining ingredients in an oven-safe skillet or baking dish. Bake, uncovered, in a preheated 350°F oven until heated through, 20 to 25 minutes.

How do you make a cheesier pizza dip?

To make this meaty pizza dip even cheesier, simply increase the amount of Parmesan or layer in another type of cheese. Stir in shredded mozzarella, provolone or an Italian cheese blend for extra meltiness, and sprinkle additional cheese over the top during the last 20 minutes of cooking.

For a richer, creamier texture, you can also mix a few tablespoons of softened cream cheese or ricotta into the dip before slow-cooking.

What other dippers can you serve with pizza dip?

We recommend serving this meaty pizza dip with garlic bread for scooping, but it pairs well with plenty of other dippers too. Toasted baguette slices, breadsticks, crunchy pretzels, tortilla chips, crackers or soft pretzel nuggets all work great for dipping.

For a lighter or low-carb option, serve the pizza dip with fresh veggies, such as bell pepper strips, celery sticks, zucchini rounds, or broccoli or cauliflower florets.