Cheesy Bacon Ranch Dip (Printable)

Creamy cheddar and crisp bacon baked until bubbly and golden, perfect for sharing at any occasion.

# 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 (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
06 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

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

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a small baking dish of approximately 1 quart capacity.
02 - In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch seasoning mix until smooth and fully combined.
03 - Gently fold in shredded cheddar, most of the crumbled bacon reserving some for topping, and freshly ground black pepper.
04 - Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking 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 the dip is hot, bubbly, and lightly golden on the edges.
07 - Remove from oven and garnish with sliced green onions and chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm with chips, crackers, or vegetable dippers.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It's legitimately impressive despite taking less time than a shower, and nobody needs to know that.
  • The contrast between creamy cheese and crispy bacon hits different every single time.
  • Once you realize how forgiving and adaptable it is, you'll stop buying store-bought dips entirely.
02 -
  • Cold dip hardens into something nobody wants to eat, so always serve it hot and consider putting the baking dish on a low temperature if you're not finishing it immediately.
  • Softening the cream cheese actually matters—I learned this by stubbornly trying to blend cold cream cheese and ending up with a lumpy situation that baking didn't fix.
03 -
  • Reserve some bacon for topping before you fold the rest in—it's a tiny extra step that makes the final presentation look intentional and delicious.
  • Use freshly ground black pepper instead of pre-ground; the difference is subtle but real and shows up in the taste.
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