Description
This easy ranch cheese ball features cream cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, turkey bacon, and a flavorful ranch dry mix, perfect for any appetizer spread.
Ingredients
16 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
3 tablespoons sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
1 oz Hidden Valley Ranch dry mix packet
¾ teaspoon garlic powder
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons freeze-dried chives, plus extra for coating if desired
6 strips of cooked and crumbled turkey bacon, reserving some for the optional pecan coating if desired
¼ cup finely crushed chopped pecans (optional)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except the optional pecans, reserved turkey bacon crumbles, and extra chives for coating.
Mix thoroughly using a silicone spatula.
Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes.
Remove the chilled mixture and place onto plastic wrap, forming a mound.
Pull up two opposite sides of the plastic wrap and shape the mixture into a round ball using cupped hands.
If desired, place pecans, reserved turkey bacon bits, and additional freeze-dried chives into a Ziploc bag.
Cover with a towel and crush the mixture with a meat tenderizer mallet.
Pour the crushed pecan mixture into a shallow dish and roll the cheese ball to coat evenly.
Transfer the cheese ball to a serving tray.
Serve with pita chips, crackers, vegetables, or bread.
Notes
Doubling or tripling the recipe only changes the amount of each ingredient.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Mixing and chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 10
- Cholesterol: 55