Cheesy Bacon Ranch Dip (Printer-Friendly)

Creamy cheddar and crispy bacon combined with tangy ranch seasoning baked to golden perfection.

# 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, cooked crisp and crumbled

→ Seasonings

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

→ Garnish (optional)

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 of about 1 quart capacity.
02 - Combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch seasoning mix in a medium bowl. Stir until smooth and well blended.
03 - Fold in shredded cheddar cheese, most of the cooked bacon (reserve some for topping), and black pepper until evenly distributed.
04 - Spoon the mixture into the greased baking dish, smoothing the surface.
05 - Sprinkle the reserved bacon evenly over the top of the mixture.
06 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until the dip is hot, bubbly, and the edges are lightly golden.
07 - Remove from oven and garnish with green onions and parsley as desired. Serve warm with chips, crackers, or vegetables.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in 10 minutes of prep and tastes like you spent way more effort than you actually did.
  • The combination of crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and tangy ranch is basically the flavor equivalent of a standing ovation.
  • You can make it ahead and just bake it when guests arrive, which means you're never stressed about timing.
02 -
  • Let your cream cheese soften at room temperature—cold cream cheese won't blend smoothly and you'll have annoying little chunks that won't disappear.
  • Don't skip cooking the bacon crispy; chewy bacon will soften more in the oven and disappear into the mixture instead of giving you those satisfying crunchy bits.
03 -
  • Keep the cream cheese at room temperature before mixing—it saves you from lumpy dip and frustration.
  • Reserve some bacon for the top instead of folding all of it in; it stays crispier and looks better, plus people actually notice the texture difference.
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