Sweet Italian Sausage Dip Recipe
This sweet Italian sausage dip recipe is rich and hearty with bold, savory flavor. It uses a unique blend of ingredients, you don’t usually see in sausage dip, that build in extra depth to it’s flavor profile without any extra fuss when making it.
If you enjoy party dips, you might also like my bacon blue cheese dip or my garden fresh pico de gallo.
Introduction
Sausage dip recipes are often very simple, using primarily sausage, cream cheese, and tomatoes. This version goes a step further, adding mushrooms, onions, sharp cheddar, and a splash of cream for a smooth, flavorful finish.
It will quickly become a favorite for get-togethers and snack time at your house, especially when you serve it up with a batch of homemade pepper jack crackers. The spicy kick of the crackers paired with the rich, creaminess of this dip keep people coming back for more every time.
Why This Recipe Works
- Sweet Italian sausage creates a flavorful foundation for this dip — it’s balance of savory seasoning and gentle sweetness gives the dip a solid base for building deeper layers of flavor.
- Mushrooms and onions provide hearty depth by adding texture and an earthy umami flavor that pairs nicely with the sausage, the same savory qualities highlighted in my stuffed portobello mushrooms recipe.
- Cream cheese creates a velvety texture that makes the dip rich and satisfying with every bite.
- Sharp cheddar works with the cream cheese to balance it’s creaminess with a little sharp flavor, giving the dip more dimension than using just one cheese alone would do.
- Heavy cream creates a velvety texture and it helps the cheese to melt out evenly into the sauce.
Ingredients For Sweet Italian Sausage Dip
The ingredients for this sweet Italian sausage dip are easy to find, and each one adds something important to the rich, savory flavor of the dish.
- Baby portobello mushrooms: Fresh baby portobellos add a hearty texture and earthy umami flavor that deepens the character of this dip in a way canned mushrooms never could.
- Sweet Italian sausage: This sausage comes pre-seasoned with herbs and spices that build a flavorful foundation, making it the key ingredient that ties the richness of the cheese and tomatoes together.
- Diced tomatoes: Good quality canned tomatoes bring acidity and brightness to the dish that balance the heaviness of the meat and cheese, the same essential role they play in my cast iron skillet lasagna.
See recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
- You can swap the sausage for a hot Italian variety if you prefer more spice, or use breakfast sausage for a completely different flavor profile.
- Different firm cheeses can be used in place of sharp cheddar, with gruyere, Swiss, or provolone all melting smoothly and adding their own unique character, the same way you can make my green apple grilled cheese sandwich with any of your favorite hard cheeses as well.
- Cream cheese may be substituted with other soft cheeses such as feta or blue cheese, both of which add a tangy bite.
- Adding vegetables is an easy variation and ingredients like bell peppers or spinach can boost flavor while also bulking up the dip.
- You can change the spice level by increasing the crushed red pepper or leaving it out entirely, depending on your preference.
How To Make Sweet Italian Sausage Dip
This dip comes together quickly in just one skillet, and each step builds layers of flavor that make the finished dish rich and satisfying. With simple prep and a short simmer, you’ll have a party-ready dip in no time.
Step 1: Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook the onions until translucent.
Step 2: Add the mushrooms and cook until softened.
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Step 3: Stir in the garlic, salt, and crushed red pepper.
Step 4: Add the sweet Italian sausage and cook until browned.
Step 5: Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juice.
Step 6: Pour in the heavy cream and mix well.
Step 7: Add the cream cheese and sharp cheddar, stirring until smooth.
Step 8: Simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Serve warm, or cool to room temperature.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Make it up to a day ahead, cool it completely, then refrigerate it in an airtight container. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often, until loosened and steamy.
Stovetop is best — low heat and frequent stirring keep the texture smooth. For the microwave, heat the dip in short intervals (20–30 seconds), stirring well between each burst, and repeating just until warm.
I don’t recommend it. It is very likely to separate while thawing and the texture may become grainy.
Use hot Italian sausage or add more crushed red pepper for a spicier dip. For mild heat, stick with sweet Italian sausage and skip the pepper flakes.
You can, but freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that can keep the dip from getting as silky as it should.
Serve
This dip is delicious served warm or at room temperature. Set it out with sturdy dippers, like mini pretzels, pita chips, everything crackers or homemade cornbread crackers. Adding a little color to the top of the dish with diced plum tomatoes, a light sprinkle of crushed red pepper, or a little extra shredded cheddar gives it a little extra eye appeal.
You can use leftover dip to make an easy breakfast, by spooning the dip over toast and topping it with a fried egg or using it to fill an omelet. Or pair it with some fresh cut veggie sticks for a quick, hearty snack.
Expert Tips
- Sweat the onions, don’t brown them: Cook them over medium-low heat until translucent and tender — this preserves sweetness and prevents bitter notes in the base.
- Cook moisture off the mushrooms: Sauté until their liquid evaporates and the pan looks nearly dry to prevent a watery dip and boost their natural umami flavor.
- Brown the sausage well: Cook until it’s a deep golden color with crisp edges, then drain off any excess fat so the dip isn’t greasy.
- Lower the heat before adding dairy: Reduce to low before stirring in the cream and cheeses; gentle heat keeps the emulsion smooth and prevents separation or graininess.
- Shred cheddar from a block: Freshly grated cheese melts cleaner and creamier than bagged shreds which contain anti-caking agents that hinder the melting process; it’s the same reason my steak fajita omelet is best made with freshly shredded cheese as well.
Sweet Italian Sausage Dip
Ingredients
- 2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 8 oz baby portabella mushrooms chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 lb sweet Italian sausage
- 15 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz cream cheese cubed
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 plum tomato (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Warm oil: Add olive oil to a large skillet and place over medium heat for 1–2 minutes.
- Sauté onion: Add chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add mushrooms: Stir in chopped mushrooms and cook until softened, about 7 minutes.
- Season aromatics: Add crushed garlic, salt, and crushed red pepper. Cook 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Cook sausage: Cut or crumble sausage directly into the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking apart as it cooks.
- Add cream: Pour in the heavy cream and stir well to combine with the sausage mixture.
- Add tomatoes: Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juices.
- Melt cheeses: Add cream cheese and shredded cheddar. Stir continuously until both are fully melted and incorporated.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring regularly to prevent sticking.
Video
Notes
- Reduce the mushrooms fully: Cook until the pan looks nearly dry for concentrated flavor and no watery dip.
- Brown the sausage deeply: Go for deep golden crumbles with crisp edges; that caramelization builds real, savory flavor.
- Drain extra fat if needed: Spoon off any pooled fat after browning to keep the dip rich without turning greasy.
- Don’t drain the tomatoes: Add the whole can with juices; it adds a clean tomato note evenly throughout the dip.
- Add cream and cheeses on low heat: Keeps the mixture smooth and prevents separating.
This sausage dip is hands down the best on the web — creamy, savory, and packed with flavor! It’s perfect for game day, parties, or just a delicious snack anytime. If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear your thoughts — please leave a review or share your experience in the comments below! And if you have any questions or need any help while making it, feel free to ask—I’m always happy to help. Enjoy every bite!