Pepperoni Pizza Dip

This is one of my original recipes..one of few...well, one of the few I actually managed to write down with true measurements. I'll try to do better...Stacy's Pita Chips had a recipe contest so I was a litttttle motivated at the time.



1 1/2 c. favorite pizza or spaghetti sauce (mine had mushrooms)
15 oz. ricotta
1 c. six cheese italian cheese, finely shredded
2 3.5 oz packages Hormel diced pepperoni
8 oz. jar Vigo pepperoncini w/liquid, remove stems
1 pkg. dry italian dressing mix (I used Good Seasons)
1/4 c. italian bread crumbs
parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350.

Mix the pizza sauce, ricotta and all but 1/4 c. of the shredded cheese. Add pepperoni, pepperoncini liquid and italian seasoning. Spread in 8x8 or 9x12 baking dish. Top w/remaining mozarella, italian bread crumbs, pepperoncinis and parmesan. Bake 20-25 minutes and serve with crostini, breadsticks or Stacy's Tuscan Herb Pita Chips.

You could dice the peppers and mix in...I kept mine whole and topped so they could be removed if someone doesn't care for them. The liquid in the jar gives a great flavor. I think anything people like on their pizza would be good in this...Italian sausage browned and crumbled, crispy bacon, diced sauteed onion, bell pepper, black olives, etc. I used sliced hot and spicy pepperoni but the diced is easier for dip.