Bacon Ranch Cheddar Cheese Ball
This cheese ball has a perfect blend of flavors including ranch, crispy bacon bits, 2 kinds of cheese, and chives. A perfectly easy and delicious appetizer!
There are few things I love more in this world than a gigantic cheese ball. (I’m a classy and complex person.) But this isn’t just any ball o’ cheese. It’s got BACON. (Um. Enough said.)
….and aside from just bacon, this cheese ball is loaded with Ranch seasoning, 2 kinds of cheese, and ch-ch-chives. It’s sinfully delicious, good lord.
If you need to think of an appetizer in a bind, this will save your life. I think it’s the hint of ranch in this that makes it so extra deliciously delicious. (Man, I’m a wordsmith.)
Are you one of those people that adds ranch to everything?
Like your pizza, broccoli, and whatever else?! Because if soooo… you’re welcome.
This cheese ball is absolutely perfect all year ’round, although the red bacon and green chives make it a little holiday-like, which is pretty nifty. And since the holidays are CRAZY busy as it is, why complicate it more by making time-consuming recipes? I’m telling you, roll a ball of cheese and YA DONE.
(Or roll several 1/2 Tablespoon-sized balls and let people grab them with toothpicks. What’s better than a portion-sized cheeseball to go?)
I love serving these with a plainer type of cracker, since the cheeseball is so flavorful. Carr’s Entertainment Cracker Collection is a good option!
Looking for more appetizer ideas? Then you must try my Sweet Cream Cheese Wontons, I mean…. wow.
Check out my other recipes!
Bacon Ranch Cheddar Cheese Ball
This cheese ball has a perfect blend of flavors including ranch, crispy bacon bits, 2 kinds of cheese, and chives. A perfectly easy and delicious appetizer!
Ingredients:
- 2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese
- 1 (1oz.) packet Ranch dressing mix
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup green onions, diced (can sub 1/3 cup diced chives)
- 6 strips bacon, cooked
Directions:
Mix cream cheese, ranch dressing mix, green onions, cheddar cheese, and bacon together until well combined. Form into a ball shape. From here, you can wrap it in saran wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Feel free to top your cheese ball with some chopped nuts or crunchy crackers!
- This recipe is easy to halve if you’re feeding 4 people instead of a larger crowd.
Recipe Adapted from: PlainChicken.com
All images and text ©Stephanie Melchione for The Cozy Cook
*This post may contain affiliate links
This looks so delicious Stephanie!! I mean I’m 99% sure that I could have that in one go, for lunch! 😀
Bacon and chives are two of my favorite flavors. This sounds and looks great!! Thanks for sharing, and happy FF!
It has bacon. It HAS to be amazing!
This is a great summer appetizer! Love easy with simple ingredients, especialy BACON!
YUM!! I love thiiisss! I’m totally going to try this with some of my homemade cream cheese!!! 😀
Ooooooh, can I have like 3? 🙂 My hubby is a ranch fanatic, so I know he would pretty much eat one all by himself 🙂 I love recipes that come together quickly and easily, yet are still crowd-pleasers!
This is a great stand by recipe that’s a cinch to put together. And it’s a sure crowd pleaser…I’m loving the bacon!
This looks yummy – now I better check out what ‘ranch dressing’ means (we don’t really have any ranchers here to ask ;-))
Cheese balls are a bit old fashioned but I LOVE them. So I must be old fashioned and that doesn’t bother me at all because obviously you are too. 🙂
You can never go wrong with a good cheeseball especially with bacon in it 🙂
I’m going to have to pass this idea on to my kids – they’re wild about ranch and I know they’ll love this!
Ohhh they will SOOO love this then, I am obsessed with it… kind of wish I never discovered it in some ways, ha! 🙂 I can only hope my guests dive into it too so that I don’t eat it all myself! 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
Pingback: Weekly Favorite Food Posts | Edible Reflections
Can this be frozen?
I haven’t frozen it myself, but you can freeze most types of cheese… However it does cause it to lose some of its flavor and texture. It’s definitely better to serve it fresh if you can! 🙂
I make this and roll in real bacon bits and also add some crushed pineapple to mix
It’s a huge hit
WHOA, the crushed pineapple in there sounds SOOO good, I’m definitely doing that next time- I agree, this cheese ball is a huge at parties!! THANKS for sharing that excellent tip!!! 🙂
Nice touch with the bacon and ranch
I am SO excited to try this for Thanksgiving this year! I am in college and volunteered to bring an appetizer (rather an actual dish). I am sure this will be a hit with my family! I am glad I found this recipe!
Quick question: Do you use a hand mixer to mix the ingredients? Or do you just use a spatula and let the cream cheese come to room temperature so that it is more malleable? This is my first cheese ball!
Hi Erica!! Ohhhhh this is going to be a BIG hit, I am sure of it!! 🙂 I actually think either method would be fine, just make sure you refrigerate the mixture again before you try to shape it, that way it’ll hold the shape!! 🙂 Enjoy, and Happy Thanksgiving!!!
It sounds divine! The directions says to mix scallions..doesn’t mention chives. Is this a typo error?
Hi Shirley! You can actually use either one, (I actually like green onions/scallions)- but I updated the recipe to be consistent, thank you for catching that and I hope you have a chance to make this, it’s SO good! 🙂
About how big do you think the portion sized balls should be? And what kind of crackers go best with this?
Hi Elizabeth! A half of a Tablespoon scoop works well for the individual sizes, and I find that since the cheese ball is so flavorful, a plainer type of cracker works well. I love the Carr’s Entertainment Cracker Collection for this!
I’m taking this to an ugly sweater Christmas gathering tomorrow.
Thanks for the recipe !! It’s delicious !! And I agree with a plain cracker or serve with veggies 😀
YAY!!! I’m so glad that you liked this! I could probably have it every day… yikes! 🤨
How far ahead can you make this without it losing its freshness?
Hi Saundra! Up to three days ahead of time! Enjoy!!
That’s the time frame I need!
Love it, great recipe! Thanks for sharing. I added some Franks Hot Sauce and more Cheddar Cheese (Sharp Cheddar) and it turned out great.
Excellent! I love your variation suggestions too! Thank you Dagestan! Happy Holidays!!!
You could use the pretzel sticks instead of toothpicks for the portioned out balls. I’ve done it before and it saves from wasting toothpicks. And it’s kinda like having it on a cracker too. Just a thought.
Hey Jen! I love that idea! I’m going to add that to the notes section of the recipe, thanks so much for sharing!
Easy, favorafull. I added more cheese but very good
Thank you Debra!!!! More cheese to anything is good in my book! Thank you for taking the time! 😁
Hi 😊 I am looking to make this cheeseball. Do you just add the packet of ranch or do you follow the directions on the packet of ranch dressing?
Just add the packet of ranch! 😁
I made this for a Church Christmas Party. Rave reviews from 40 people! I’m going to make it today for New Year’s Eve party. I’ll serve with assorted crackers.
WOOOOOO!!!! That’s what I love to hear! I’m so happy. It really is delicious, and addicting! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know how it came out! Have a great time at the NYE party later!