A savory and crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for parties or gatherings. This cheese ball combines the salty goodness of bacon, the sharpness of cheddar, and the tangy flavor of ranch.
Ingredients:
- Cheese:
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or mild, your preference)
- Flavorings:
- 1 packet (1 ounce) dry ranch dressing mix
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon (about 6-8 strips)
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Coating (Optional):
- 1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans, walnuts, or other nuts.
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley.
Instructions:
- Combine the Cheese:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese, ranch dressing mix, crumbled bacon (reserve some for coating if using), green onions, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper.
- Mix until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Form the Cheese Ball:
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until the mixture is firm enough to handle. This chilling time is very important.
- Once chilled, remove the mixture from the refrigerator.
- Using your hands or a spatula, form the cheese mixture into a large ball.
- Coat the Cheese Ball (Optional):
- If you would like a coating, in a shallow dish, combine the reserved crumbled bacon, chopped nuts, and chopped parsley.
- Roll the cheese ball in the coating mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Ensure the entire cheese ball is covered.
- Chill and Serve:
- Wrap the coated cheese ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour to allow the coating to set and the cheese ball to firm up again.
- Serve the cheese ball with crackers, pretzels, vegetables, or toasted baguette slices.
Tips and Variations:
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the cheese mixture.
- You can use different types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack or pepper jack, for a variation in flavor.
- For a different coating, everything bagel seasoning is a great choice.
- Ensure that the bacon is very crispy. this will add to the texture of the cheeseball.
- Make sure that the cream cheese is fully softened. This will help with the mixing process.
Enjoy your delicious Bacon Cheddar Ranch Cheese Ball!