Cheesy Bacon Ranch Dip (Printable)

Creamy cheddar and bacon blend with ranch seasoning baked until golden. Great for parties and snacking.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
03 - 1/2 cup sour cream

→ Meat

04 - 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

→ Seasonings

05 - 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (1 oz)
06 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

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

# Method:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes sophisticated but comes together in about 10 minutes of actual work.
  • People genuinely believe you spent way more effort than you actually did.
  • Crispy bacon and sharp cheddar mean every single bite has texture and flavor.
02 -
  • Softening your cream cheese ahead of time is non-negotiable—cold cream cheese will clump and ruin the smooth texture.
  • Don't overbake this; 20 minutes is the ceiling because the edges can brown too fast and the dip can separate if it sits in the oven too long.
03 -
  • Cook your bacon the night before so you're not juggling hot grease while everything else is happening.
  • Use real shredded cheddar, not the pre-shredded stuff that's coated with anti-caking agents—it melts smoother and tastes sharper.
Return