Cheesy Bacon Ranch Dip (Printer-friendly)

Creamy sharp cheddar and crispy bacon meld with tangy ranch seasoning in a golden baked dip.

# What You'll 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 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

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 1-quart baking dish.
02 - In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch seasoning mix until smooth.
03 - Fold in shredded cheddar cheese, most of the cooked bacon, and black pepper.
04 - Spoon mixture into prepared dish, smoothing the surface evenly.
05 - Sprinkle reserved bacon pieces evenly over the top.
06 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until hot, bubbly, and golden at the edges.
07 - Remove from oven. Garnish with green onions and parsley if desired. Serve warm with chips or vegetable dippers.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 10 minutes of actual work, but tastes like you spent all afternoon on it.
  • Bacon makes everything better, and here it's doing the heavy lifting while cream cheese keeps everything silky and rich.
  • The baking step transforms it from good to absolutely irresistible, with those golden bubbly edges that disappear first.
02 -
  • Softened cream cheese is non-negotiable—cold cream cheese will give you a lumpy, uneven dip that bakes unevenly and feels gritty.
  • Don't skip the baking step thinking it'll be fine at room temperature; the heat is what makes this transformation happen, creating that irresistible bubbly texture.
03 -
  • Reserve a small handful of bacon for topping instead of mixing all of it in—the texture contrast and visual appeal make a real difference in how people react to it.
  • If your dip cools down before serving, it reheats beautifully at 325°F for 10 to 12 minutes, staying creamy instead of drying out.
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