Hot Pizza Dip Bites

Another great and easy Super Bowl appetizer, or an appetizer or any occasion.  The mix can be made ahead and then simply bake the wonton shells, fill, and heat.  These bites can also be made in a shallow baking dish as more of a dip versus finger food.  I've included instructions for that variation below the recipe.  Also, feel free to tailor toppings to your tastes.  The sky's the limit when it comes to pizza.

HOT PIZZA DIP BITES (makes about 24 pizza bites)

8 oz cream cheese, light or regular, softened
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp garlic powder or 1 clove freshly minced garlic
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
1 cup pizza sauce or good marinara sauce
3 oz finely chopped pepperoni (I used turkey pepperoni)
24 square wonton wrappers

Preheat the oven to 350.  In a small bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, oregano, basil, and garlic.  Lightly grease a mini-muffin tin pan with cooking spray and press one wonton wrapper gently into the muffin tin, carefully but firmly pressing it into the sides of the cups.  Bake the wonton wrappers for 4-6 minutes, until lightly browned (mine took closer to 8 minutes....you want to make sure the bottoms are slightly crispy, or they will be chewy when ingredients are added).  Remove the pan from the oven and keep the wonton wrappers in the mini cups.

Dollop a teaspoon or two of the cream cheese mixture into the bottom of each wonton cup.  Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top of the cream cheese mixture.  Top with a teaspoon or so of the pizza sauce.  Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and chopped pepperoni.  Bake for 10 more minutes until the filling is bubbly and wonton edges are golden brown.  Serve warm!

To make this into a dip: spread the cream cheese mixture into the bottom of a 9" shallow oven-proof dish.  Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the mozzarella, then 1/2 cup of the parmesan cheese over the cream cheese mixture.  Spread the pizza sauce over the cheeses.  Sprinkle with remaining cheeses.  Top with pepperoni and other veggies or pizza toppings of your choice.  Bake until hot and bubbly, about 20 minutes.  Serve with tortilla chips, baguette slices, or crackers.