Cheesy Bacon Ranch Dip (Print View)

Creamy dip with crispy bacon, cheddar, and ranch seasoning baked until golden and bubbly.

# Components:

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

→ Garnish

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

# Preparation Steps:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 10 minutes of actual work, then the oven does the heavy lifting while you relax.
  • Everyone assumes you spent hours on something this rich and creamy, which is the best kind of kitchen secret.
  • Bacon and ranch together hit that comfort-food sweet spot that makes people keep coming back for more.
02 -
  • Softened cream cheese is non-negotiable—cold cream cheese will create a lumpy, separated dip that no amount of stirring fixes.
  • Don't skip the reserved bacon pieces on top; they go crispy in the oven and add crucial texture and visual appeal that makes it look homemade.
03 -
  • Use fresh-cooked bacon, not the pre-cooked kind—it makes a noticeable difference in flavor and texture.
  • If your ranch seasoning packet is suspiciously salty, taste the mixture before baking and adjust with a pinch more pepper instead of more salt.
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