Cheesy Bacon Ranch (Printable)

Creamy mix of cheddar, bacon, and ranch baked until bubbly and golden, perfect for snacking.

# Ingredient List:

→ Dairy

01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
03 - ½ cup sour cream

→ Meat

04 - 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

→ Seasonings

05 - 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (1 oz)
06 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

07 - 2 tbsp sliced green onions
08 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a small baking dish (approximately 1 quart capacity).
02 - In a medium mixing bowl, blend softened cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch seasoning mix until smooth.
03 - Fold shredded cheddar cheese, most of the crumbled bacon (reserving some for topping), and ground black pepper into the mixture.
04 - Spoon the mixture into the prepared dish, smoothing the surface evenly.
05 - Sprinkle reserved crispy bacon evenly over the top of the mixture.
06 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until the dip is hot, bubbly, and edges are lightly golden.
07 - Remove from oven and garnish with sliced green onions and chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot with chips, crackers, or vegetable dippers.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in about 10 minutes of actual hands-on time, leaving you free to do literally anything else before guests arrive.
  • There's something deeply satisfying about a dip that's both creamy and crispy, warm and loaded with actual bacon pieces instead of that artificial stuff.
  • People genuinely fight over the last spoonful, which somehow never gets old to watch.
02 -
  • Don't skip softening the cream cheese—cold cream cheese will not mix smoothly and you'll end up with a dip that has lumps no amount of stirring fixes.
  • The dip will keep bubbling for a minute after you take it out of the oven, so don't panic if it looks a little loose; it sets as it cools and stays creamy inside.
03 -
  • If your dip looks separated or too loose after baking, it's not ruined—just let it cool for a few minutes and it will set up as the cheese firms slightly, becoming perfectly spreadable.
  • Save a handful of bacon to sprinkle on top right before serving if your dip has been sitting out; it keeps the texture interesting and looks more intentional than if everything gets uniformly soft.
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