Belly Up to the Bar: Pizza Dip Recipe and Perfect Beer Pairing

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Miriam Zelinsky

Football season is here! Break out your favorite jersey and invite over a few of the guys. While we all know you would rather be tailgating in the stadium parking lot, away games can give you a chance to enjoy the comforts of your couch and close-ups of all the action. One recipe that is sure to please is this layered hot Pizza Dip. Who can resist gooey cheese and spicy sausage while your favorite team is racking up the TDs? Anything goes when it comes to dippers so be creative! Crackers, chips, bread are crowd-pleasers but for the carb conscious (pfffft…boo!) go with wide cut vegetables. Think sturdy, this is not a dip for the faint of heart.

When watching the game I don’t want a heavy beer that fills me up fast (it’s not soccer). With Pizza Dip I suggest a Peroni. The flavors of a pizzeria deserve a refreshing Italian beer to wash it all down. Light in color, the taste won’t scare away even your most mainstream beer drinkers.

--M. Perrelli

Pizza Dip

What You'll Need:

1 8-oz block cream cheese

2 cups tomato sauce

dried herbs (use what you like, a few shakes of oregano, basil, Italian seasoning or my favorite, fennel seeds )

1 bunch scallions, chopped

1 small can sliced black olives, drained

8 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded

1 lb. hot Italian sausage, remove from casings, cooked and crumbled

Directions:

1. Spread cream cheese on the bottom of your casserole dish.