if you’re like us + your whole family looks forward to relaxing at home after a full week with pizza + a movie on friday nights then, it may sometimes happen that you get bored with the same old pizza takeout…enter pizza dip!

building blocks:
(serves 4-6)

+ cheese layers
8-12 oz cream cheese, softened
3/4 tsp dried oregano
3/4 tsp dried parsley
1/4 tsp dried basil
+ about 1 cup shredded mozzarella
+ about 1/2 cup grated parmesean

+ pizza sauce
15-16 oz tomato sauce
6 oz tomato paste
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp sugar, optional
–or– a storebought jar of pizza sauce

+ meat toppings your family loves
i.e. pepperonis, prosciutto, cappicola, sausage

+ veggie toppings you want your kids to try
i.e. sweet green/red peppers, mushrooms, black olives, tomatoes

+ dippers (think of crust alternatives)
i.e. baguette, sourdough or your favorite crusty bread, cubed
we really enjoyed triscuits this time, but the crusty bread is always a favorite while some recipes suggest ritz crackers

directions: 
(30 minutes)

shortcut recipe if you aren’t into measuring:
soften the cream cheese
mix in dried herbs
sprinkle some cheese overtop
pour tomato sauce over cheese base
cover sauce layer with another cheese sprinkle
pop in the oven for 15-20 minutes
mangia!

full recipe:
preheat the oven to 350*

soften the cream cheese (most microwaves have a setting for this just remove the foil first!)
mix in the dried herbs: oregano, parsley, basil
spread on the bottom of a round casserole dish; ours is round + pretty deep making it easily shareable!

sprinkle some shredded mozzarella ~1/2 cup, to lightly cover the cream cheese base
add ~ 1/4 cup grated parmesean on top

make the pizza sauce
-or- open your premade jar
mix tomato sauce, tomato paste, dried herbs + garlic powder.

pour over cheese layer + cover with remaining grated cheese.

if desired warm up or crisp up the meats to your liking. veggies are usually best uncooked as they can provide a nice crunch for contrast.

bake for 15-20 minutes at 350*

serve it up: once everything is on the board, give everyone their own serving plate + teach them to place what they’d like to eat from the large board onto their own dish before eating. this teaches a more considerate way of sharing food with others + also keeps everyone from enjoying it all too quickly- good food is meant to be savored + truly tasted! remind everyone it’s hot before diving in.

as always this board is
KID TASTED, PARENT APPROVED

enjoy your friday night + hopefully a very easy cleanup!