Crock-Pot Pizza Dip

I was assigned to bring chips and dip for our Super Bowl party this year. Maddie and I decided to invent a dip recipe instead of buying the traditional stuff and this is what we came up with. I think it turned out pretty dang good, at least my family liked it! Give it a try at your next party.

6-8 pepperoni, chopped*

5 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 onion, chopped*

1 Tbsp garlic, chopped

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 tsp Italian seasoning

6 Tbsp flour

2 cups milk

2 cups mozzarella cheese

2 cups marinara sauce

1 can diced tomatoes

1 can sliced olives, drained*

dipping stuff = bread, crackers, breadsticks, etc.

In a large sauce pan saute pepperoni in 1 Tbsp. e.v.o.o. until crispy, removed from pan, drain on paper towel and discard excess grease. Add remaining 4 Tbsp of e.v.o.o. to pan and saute onion, garlic and seasonings until soft and transparent. Add flour to make a roux. Stir and cook roux for 2 minutes. Add milk slowly, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Remove from heat and stir in cheese (this cheese sauce will be very thick). Stir in marinara sauce, tomatoes and olives. Add pepperoni. Place mixture in a crock-pot to keep hot and serve with breadsticks, crackers, crusty bread, etc.

* I suppose you could add whatever pizza "toppings" you would like to your pizza dip (sausage, Canadian bacon, mushrooms, bell peppers, etc.). We just chose pepperoni, onions and olives for our first experiment and it turned out great. I hope your pizza dip is yummy.