This classic Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball recipe is made with crispy bacon, ranch seasoning, cream cheese, and cheddar. Serve it as one big ball or smaller ball bites. This make-ahead appetizer is a great way to feed a crowd!
Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
There are few things I love more in this world than a gigantic Bacon Ranch Cheese ball. (I’m a classy and complex person.)
This is the ultimate appetizer idea for a crowd, people love it. See below on serving options, you can serve it as one big ball or smaller cheese ball bites!
As of December 2021 I added 3 additional ingredients that are simple, but make a huge difference in taste and texture. (See below!)
Ingredients
- Cream Cheese- softened
- Ranch Seasoning Mix- I like to buy it in bulk
- Cheddar Cheese
- Bacon- Regular or Smoked
- Green Onions
NEW as of 12/21:
- Sour Cream– makes it creamier and much easier to dip!
- White Cheddar or Monterey Jack Cheese
- Garlic Powder
How to Make it
- Mix all ingredients until evenly combined
- Transfer to saran wrap and use it to help you mold it into a ball.
- Refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes in order to allow the flavors to blend.
- Serve with crackers, vegetables, Pita chips, or crusty breads.
PRO Tips For This Recipe
- Important! Be sure to get Ranch seasoning mix for this recipe, not Ranch dip mix, they do taste differently and have different uses.
- For best taste, shred the cheese from a block instead of using bagged shredded cheese.
- This cheese ball can be made up to 2 days ahead of time and store in the refrigerator.
- I like to fry the bacon the night before making this as it’s a lot quicker and gives it time to cool before mixing with the cheese.
- Let the cream cheese soften at room temperature for 1 hour before you prepare, (if possible). This makes it easier to combine evenly with the other ingredients.
- Optional: Roll the cheese ball in chopped pecans for an added crunch.
- Some people roll these into bite-sized balls and serve them with toothpicks.
- You can also try this Pineapple Pecan Cheese Ball
Storage
- This Cheese Ball can be stored for up to 4-5 days in the refrigerator, assuming all ingredients are fresh, including the onions and bacon.
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Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 16 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 3 Tablespoons sour cream
- 1 oz. packet Ranch seasoning mix, (Equal to about 3 Tablespoons)
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1.5 cups cheddar cheese, see notes*
- ¼ cup green onions, diced (can sub 1/3 cup diced chives)
- 6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
Instructions
- Use a silicone spatula to mix all ingredients until well combined. Transfer to saran wrap and use it to help you mold it into a ball.
- Refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes in order to allow the flavors to blend. Remove saran wrap and transfer to a serving platter. Serve with crackers, vegetables, Pita chips, or crusty breads.
- As of 12/2020: Sour Cream, Garlic Powder, and White Cheddar/Monterey Jack cheese were added to the recipe for improved taste and texture. They are optional, but recommended. The recipe video does not include these ingredients.
Notes
PRO Tips For This Recipe
- Important! Be sure to get Ranch seasoning mix for this recipe, not Ranch dip mix, they do taste differently and have different uses.
- This cheese ball can be made up to 2 days ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
- I like to fry the bacon the night before making this as it's a lot quicker and gives it time to cool before mixing with the cheese.
- Let the cream cheese soften at room temperature for 1 hour before you prepare, (if possible). This makes it easier to combine evenly with the other ingredients.
- Optional: Roll the cheese ball in chopped pecans for an added crunch.
- Some people roll these into bite-sized balls and serve them with toothpicks.
I make this cheeseball for my family every year. I bake my bacon, and we leave out the green onions. When it’s all mixed and rolled into a ball, I roll the outside with chopped pecans. It’s definitely a family favorite ❤️.
Sounds awesome!!! So funny, I am actually eating this cheese ball now while I cook Thaksgiving dinner! Happy Thanksgiving!!
How many people can this cheeseball feed n what would be the price of it
Hi Vanessa! The number of servings are in the upper left corner of the recipe card, this makes 8 servings. Unfortunately I don’t calculate a price for my recipes at this time, it can vary depending on where you live, brand selection, etc. -Stephanie
Love this recipe..easy to find ingredients.
I added diced black olives to recipe.
Made it night before high tea event.
Thank you.
So happy you liked the cheese ball! Yay!! Thank you for commenting and rating!
Hey stephanie I made this cheeseball recipe for Thanksgiving and I added 1 jalapeno in place of the green onions and I tasted it with the jalapeno and it was AMAZING. THANK YOU
Hey Lisa! Oh I’m SOO glad you liked it! What a GENIUS idea with the jalapeno! Gosh darnit I just made this over the weekend, I didn’t have a green onion but I did have a jalapeno! I wasn’t creative enough to think of using it in this! (Next time!) Thank you for letting me know! -Stephanie
How big is a serving size I track my food just curious ty
Hi Joyce! The whole cheese ball is 8 servings, so the calories are based on that. But unfortunately I don’t have an exact measurement for a single serving. I hope this helps! -Stephanie
It absolutely helps ty
This is a fabulous cheeseball. The following day, I still had some of this cheeseball left so I used it as filling for stuffed jalapenos that I put on the grill and again, it was awesome. Now when I make stuffed jalapenos, this is the recipe I use for the filling.
Hey Donna! YAY! That is sooo great to hear! I LOVE finding alternative uses for recipes and your idea is perfect! Thank you for sharing! -Stephanie
can cheese balls be sent in the mail?
Hi Becky! You definitely could, but the box would have to be sufficiently chilled and protected, they make insulated boxes meant for sending food. I’ve never done it myself but I know it can be done! 🙂
I was looking for something to snack on for a holiday quick snack..! Thank you!! This will help loads..👍🍴👍
This is absolutely perfect for holiday snacking, you are so welcome! Enjoy!!
I night ranch dip packet instead of dressing packet. Oops! Will it work? I’m taking it to thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. Thanks!
Hey Kathy! Fear not, it’s totally fine, it’s the same thing! If you were going to use that mix to make a dressing vs. a dip, then there’d be a difference in that process but the actual mix itself is the same! 🙂 Enjoy, and Happy Thanksgiving!!
This Cheeseball is amazing, what man doesn’t like bacon….I am woman and loved it!!!
Thank you for sharing!!!
P.S. I cooked about 4 more slices of bacon and used more chives to roll the cheeseball in. Wow!
I make the Ranch Dressing Cheese Ball every year!
I do tweak it a little bit. I use 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese. It makes 2 balls or one gigantic ball!!
This is a family holiday favorite!
I’m so happy that you enjoy this ever year! And hey, I won’t ever argue with more cheese… ever! 🙂 Enjoy your Thanksgiving!!!