Cheesy Bacon Ranch Flavor (Printable)

A rich, creamy blend of cheddar, bacon, and ranch seasoning baked until hot and bubbly.

# What You Need:

→ Dairy

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

→ Meat

04 - 6 slices bacon, crisp cooked and crumbled

→ Seasonings

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

→ Garnish

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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 1-quart baking dish.
02 - In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch seasoning mix until smooth.
03 - Fold in shredded cheddar cheese, most of the cooked bacon, and black pepper until evenly mixed.
04 - Spoon the mixture into the prepared dish and smooth the surface.
05 - Sprinkle the reserved bacon over the top of the mixture.
06 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until hot, bubbly, and lightly golden around the edges.
07 - Remove from oven, garnish with green onions and parsley if desired, and serve warm with chips or vegetables.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes like the best parts of a loaded baked potato combined with creamy goodness, but it's ready in under 30 minutes.
  • People always assume you spent hours on it, when really you just combined five ingredients and let the oven do the work.
  • The crispy bacon on top gives you this satisfying crunch that keeps people coming back for more.
02 -
  • If your cream cheese isn't soft enough, you'll end up with lumps no matter how hard you mix, so take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before starting.
  • The dip will continue to thicken as it cools, so serve it while it's still slightly looser than you think it should be.
  • Watch the edges carefully during baking because they can brown quickly if your oven runs hot—if they're darkening too fast, lower the temperature slightly.
03 -
  • If you use real bacon that you cook yourself, you control the crispness and salt level, which makes the whole dip taste more intentional.
  • Letting the cream cheese come to room temperature before mixing saves you time and frustration and guarantees a smooth, lump-free dip every single time.
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