Cheesy Bacon Ranch Dip (Printable Version)

Warm, creamy blend of bacon, cheddar, mozzarella, and ranch seasoning for tasty party fare.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1/2 cup sour cream
03 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
04 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
05 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

→ Meats

06 - 6 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled

→ Seasonings

07 - 2 tbsp ranch seasoning mix (gluten-free if needed)
08 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Fresh

09 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives or green onions, for garnish

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Set oven to 350°F (180°C) to prepare for baking.
02 - In a large bowl, blend cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise until smooth.
03 - Mix ranch seasoning, black pepper, cheddar, mozzarella cheeses, and most of the cooked bacon into the creamy base, reserving some bacon for topping.
04 - Transfer the mixture into a medium-sized baking dish or ovenproof skillet, smoothing the surface evenly.
05 - Bake for 20 minutes until the dip is hot, bubbly, and cheese has fully melted.
06 - Remove from oven, sprinkle with reserved bacon and chopped chives or green onions.
07 - Offer warm with tortilla chips, crackers, or fresh vegetables as accompaniment.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under half an hour, which means you can actually make it while people are still on their way to your place.
  • The combination of three creamy bases with two cheeses and crispy bacon means every single bite tastes completely indulgent without any pretension.
  • It travels beautifully to potlucks and stays warm in a slow cooker, so you're not stuck babysitting it all evening.
02 -
  • Don't skip softening the cream cheese—I learned this the hard way when I tried to rush and ended up with a grainy texture that no amount of stirring could fix.
  • The 20-minute bake time is sacred; too short and it's cool in the middle, too long and the edges start to separate and look unappetizing.
  • Whisk things together before baking, not after, or you'll have a streaky mess instead of something cohesive.
03 -
  • Let your cream cheese sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before stirring—it sounds fussy but makes an enormous difference in texture and mixing smoothness.
  • Use freshly shredded cheese from a block instead of pre-shredded; it melts more cleanly and tastes noticeably better once it hits the oven.
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