Loaded Ranch Bacon Cheese Ball
Your guests will beg for this recipe when they try this crowd favorite Ranch Bacon Cheese Ball recipe. Creamy cheese, sweet & smoky bacon, and zesty ranch seasoning into one irresistible bite. For more recipes like this see my Appetizers page.
Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links and at no cost to you I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. See my Disclosure + Privacy Policy for more info. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Are you ready to take your holiday party appetizers to the next level? You have to try this Ranch Bacon Cheese Ball recipe!
I made this yummy dip for my “girls night out” and they devoured in seconds flat. It has the perfect amount of cheesiness with a sweet apple smoked bacon flavor, plus a dash of ranch for an extra kick!
This recipe is perfect when hosting a family gathering, attending a potluck with friends or a holiday party! This easy-to-make and deliciously addictive appetizer will steal the show. I promise It’s like a party in your mouth!
One thing I love about this recipe is how versatile it is. You can customize it to suit your taste by adding different, nuts, fruits, herbs or spices to the mix.
I have also made this recipe with finely chopped cranberries mixed into the cream cheese and the nut topping for a sweet and sour festive holiday cheese ball!
No matter how you choose to spice it up, one thing’s for sure – this ranch bacon cheese ball will be the star of any amazing gathering!
KITCHEN HELPERS
Festive Ranch Bacon Cheese Ball
What sets this cheese ball apart from the rest is its festive presentation. I placed it on a platter charcuterie style with a bed of baby lettuce, seedy crackers and sliced cheese.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 blocks cream cheese, 16 oz., at room temperature
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup applewood bacon, cooked and chopped
- 2 tbsp green onions, chopped
- ½ cup walnuts, chopped
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp dry Ranch dressing mix
- 1 tbsp parsley, optional
- 1 pkg. baby lettuce blend
- 8 oz white cheddar block, sliced
- 8 oz cheddar cheese block sliced
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add the cream cheese to a mixing bowl and blend until smooth.
- Add the cheddar cheese, bacon, green onions, Worcestershire sauce, ranch dressing mix and parsley to the smooth cream cheese mixture.
- Mix together until fully blended.
- Using a spatula, scrape the mixture onto a sheet of plastic wrap. Wrap the cheese mixture and them shape it into a ball.
- Refrigerate the cheese ball for 2 hours or until it is firm.
- Place the baby lettuce leaves in a circle on a platter.
- Add the crushed walnuts to a small plate. Remove the plastic wrap from the cheeseball and roll it around in the walnuts until it it is covered. Press extra walnuts into the ball to fill in empty spaces.
- Add the slices of cheese around the cheese ball and serve!
More Cheeseball ingredients to try:
- Chopped Nuts: pecans, pistachios, whole almonds, cashews, pine nuts
- Cheeses: white cheddar, sharp cheddar, blue cheese crumbles.
- Fruits: cranberries, cherries, dates, apricots, pineapple, pomegranate, mixed dried fruit.
- Veggies: bell pepper, olives,
- Mixed in Cream Cheese: Goat cheese, honey
- Seasonings: Thyme, Rosemary, Italian seasoning mix, parsley, garlic, chives
- Meat: dried beef, ham,
MAKE AHEAD: Make the cheese ball in advance and keep it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
FREEZER: Seal in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw for 20 minutes before serving.
Get the Meal Planner + Digital Meal Planner
Loaded Ranch and Bacon Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 2 blocks cream cheese, 16 oz., at room temperature
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup applewood bacon, cooked and chopped
- 2 tbsp green onions, chopped
- ½ cup walnuts, chopped
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp ranch dressing mix powder
- 1 tbsp parsley, optional
- 1 pkg. baby lettuce blend
- 8 oz white cheddar block, sliced
- 8 oz cheddar cheese block sliced
Instructions
- Add the cream cheese to a mixing bowl and blend until smooth.
- Add the cheddar cheese, bacon, green onions, Worcestershire sauce, ranch dressing mix and parsley to the smooth cream cheese mixture.
- Mix together until fully blended.
- Using a spatula, scrape the mixture onto a sheet of plastic wrap. Wrap the cheese mixture and them shape it into a ball.
- Refrigerate the cheese ball for 2 hours or until it is firm.
- Place the baby lettuce leaves in a circle on a platter.
- Add the crushed walnuts to a small plate. Remove the plastic wrap from the cheeseball and roll it around in the walnuts until it it is covered. Press extra walnuts into the ball to fill in empty spaces.
- Add the slices of cheese around the cheese ball and serve!
Nutrition
The nutrition info provided is only an estimate. See my nutrition disclaimer for more info on how the data is collected for recipes.
RECCOMENDED EQUIPMENT
Did you make this recipe?
FREE Meal Planning Checklist + Mini Planner
Get my FREE Mini Meal Planning checklist & Mini Planning page. PLUS access to my new FREE 8-Day Email Mini Course on Meal Planning and Batch Cooking!
Love it? Pin it!
