Cheesy Bacon Ranch Dip (Printable)

Rich cheddar and crispy bacon blend with ranch seasoning for a golden baked treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 8 ounces 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 ounce)
06 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a small baking dish about 1 quart in capacity.
02 - In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch seasoning mix until smooth and fully combined.
03 - Fold in shredded cheddar, most of the crumbled bacon, and freshly ground black pepper.
04 - Spoon mixture into the prepared dish, smoothing the surface evenly.
05 - Sprinkle reserved bacon over the mixture evenly.
06 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until hot, bubbly, and lightly golden around the edges.
07 - Remove from oven and garnish with green onions and parsley. Serve warm with chips, crackers, or vegetables.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in ten minutes of actual work, then the oven does the heavy lifting while you socialize.
  • People will ask for the recipe, and you can honestly say it's so simple you almost feel like you're cheating.
  • Bacon and ranch together are basically a flavor cheat code that works on everyone.
02 -
  • Softened cream cheese is non-negotiable—cold cream cheese won't incorporate smoothly no matter how hard you stir, and you'll end up with chunks in an otherwise creamy dip.
  • The edges getting golden is actually the signal that it's ready, not a sign you've baked it too long—that's where the best flavor happens.
03 -
  • Make this up to two hours ahead, cover it, keep it in the fridge, and just pop it in the oven when guests are arriving—the dip bakes the same, but you get your life back before people show up.
  • The secret to perfect texture is catching it right when the edges go golden but the center is still creamy, so watch it those last few minutes instead of walking away.
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