Bacon Cheddar Ranch Cheeseball
This Bacon Cheddar Ranch Cheeseball is perfect for holiday appetizer parties…or just holiday snacking in general!
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Oh, quit being such a cheeseball! So when did calling someone a cheeseball become an insult? (And does anyone actually call someone a cheeseball still?) I’ll just put it out there. I’m ok being a cheeseball. I’m also ok eating a cheeseball…especially this Bacon Cheddar Ranch Cheeseball!
Cheeseballs are such funny things. They always show up this time of the year for holiday parties and general snacking pleasure. There you are at your wife’s (or husband’s) holiday party. You’re trying your best not to look awkwardly out of place, so you head over to the appetizer table. Sure enough, there’s a port wine cheeseball. Or perhaps you get lucky and find a smoky bacon cheeseball. You nibble a bit and then decide you’d rather check out the cookie table or the open bar. I’ve been there!
I get it. Cheeseballs get a bit of a bad rap. But have you ever tried making your own cheeseball? (Hint: They’re really easy to make!) Homemade appetizers are generally > store-bought appetizers, right? So why not whip up a Bacon Cheddar Ranch Cheeseball for the holiday party this year? And since you’re in charge, no-one will know if a little bit of the cheeseball goes missing before it gets rolled up, right? Not like I speak from experience or anything…I plead the 5th!
Back in mid-October, I had the chance to visit a local farm for Cabot’s Open Farm Sunday. I visited Dellavale Farm in Pattersonville, NY, which just so happens to only be about 30 minutes away from where I live. It was a perfect upstate New York Fall day, and I spent the afternoon hanging out with cows. And it was awesome! I made friends with one of the calves…who then proceeded to see how my hand tasted. (It must have been good as she went in for the whole hand!) I recently wrote a recap of my visit to Dellavale Farm over on the Cabot website. Click here to check it out!
Cabot’s Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese is hands-down one of my favorite cheeses of all time. In fact, whenever I pull out a package for a recipe, I have the urge to just take a big bite right out of the block. So far I’ve managed to avoid doing that…but it’s gonna happen one day. (However, I did shred a bit too much cheese for this Bacon Cheddar Ranch Cheeseball…on purpose.)
As we head into the final couple weeks of the year, let’s live it up! Invite the neighbors over for appetizers and a glass of wine. And make sure to have a Bacon Cheddar Ranch Cheeseball on hand! Cheers!
Bacon Cheddar Ranch Cheeseball
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon
- 1 cup pecans chopped
- 2 Tbsp green onions chopped
- 2 Tbsp parsley chopped
- 16 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- ¾ cup Cabot Seriously Sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 1-oz. package dry ranch seasoning
- ½ Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- {for serving} pita chips and crackers
Instructions
- Place large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add bacon and cook until crispy (~5-7 minutes). Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate; pat dry. Crumble bacon and set aside.
- Meanwhile, place chopped pecans in a dry skillet. Toast over medium heat, shaking often, for 3-4 minutes, or until you can smell the toasted pecans.
- Using a medium bowl, combine bacon, pecans, green onions and parsley. Set aside.
- Using a large bowl, add cream cheese, cheddar cheese, ranch seasoning, Worcestershire sauce and half of the pecan-bacon mixture; stir until well combined.
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight).
- Using wax paper, shape the mixture into a ball. Roll cheese ball in remaining bacon-pecan mixture.
- Serve with pita chips or crackers.
Notes
Yeah, I’ve never thought of that before….why does ‘cheeseball’ get a back rap and they are so unbelievably good 😉 ? Seriously, though, I love a good cheeseball and don’t know why I don’t make more than just around Christmas. You certainly have a winner here…can’t possibly go wrong with bacon and cheddar…plus the pecans are a lovely touch. OMG…..just look at those little cows!!! How freakin’ adorable!! I would have wanted to stay all day long. Hope you have a great week 🙂
Yeah, I’m right there with ya, Dawn. For some reason, cheeseballs have been relegated to holiday time only. And what’s more, they’re often relegated to bad appetizer tables. But we can turn that around! Bacon and cheddar fixes everything…even a flat tire. Ok, maybe I went a little too far there, but bacon and cheddar seriously does cure a lot of things! 🙂 Thanks so much, my friend! (And, yes, I had a hard time leaving that farm…it was a blast!)
YASSS! “Homemade appetizers are generally > store-bought appetizers” for sure! But, you know what? I’ve always veered away from cheeseballs (the edible kind) as they are usually made with cheeses I cannot handle and while the idea of clearing-a-room-after-eating-all-the-cheese-so-I-can-have-all-the-desserts-to-myself is a very appealing one, I have yet to try it! But, I can handle my cheddar and there’s lactose free cream cheese I could sub in which means this Bacon Cheddar Ranch Cheeseball is one I could enjoy!
Just checked out that review on Cabot – those farm pictures are gorgeous, David! Happy Monday to ya!
Yes! I know it’s a crazy time of the year, but I still love getting into the kitchen and making holiday appetizers. And, of course, I love sharing them with friends and family…usually by a nice fire with a glass of wine in hand! 🙂 You know, that’s a good point about the various cheeses. If you can handle cheddar and then use a lactose-free cream cheese, then you are golden on this cheeseball, Shashi! How about this? You come on up with lil Shashi, and I’ll make a cheeseball for us to share. 🙂 Thank you so much for clicking over to the Cabot site, too. They really are an awesome company! (Not sure if Cabot makes it’s way all the way down to ATL…I just can’t remember from my days down south.)
Hi David! A good cheeseball (either type) is a great thing! I personally do not like those port wine cheeseballs, but I would be all over this one! Cabot makes seriously delicious cheeses like the Horseradish Cheddar! Your cow pictures look like my neighbors…couldn’t ask for better neighbors! They don’t really go in for appetizers and wine but they sure do appreciate it when Gary tosses a hopper full of fresh grass clippings over the fench!
Yeah, I had a bad experience with port wine cheeseballs one time…so nada on those for me. But you can’t go wrong with cheddar + bacon! Ooo…I bet it would be fun to use a handful of that Horseradish Cheddar in this one. You’d have to blend it with some regular sharp cheddar I think, but that flavor combo would be outstanding! Oh, man, I am so jealous that you guys have cows for neighbors. The more you talk about TN, the more attractive it sounds…and there’s very little snow! Thanks, Dorothy! 🙂
I think I’m making this for our company luncheon tomorrow. It looks so good!
Oh, you totally should, Tamara! It’s super easy, too! Plus, how can you go wrong with cheddar + bacon? And the pecans mixed in there give it a nice little texture. I hope your holidays are going well so far! 🙂
What a delicious cheeseball you’ve got here, David. I do like this stuff, and if there’s a cheeseball at the party, I won’t starve (I might be a little picky about food at the party). I normally make small (bite-sized cheeseballs), but I don’t mind having a large one (of course only if I get to have the whole). And I’ve never heard this expression. It doesn’t sound offensive to me. Also, I think we should update this one to something like: “Quit being such a Bacon Cheddar Ranch Cheeseball”. I think it makes sense.
Bite-sized cheeseballs is a fun-idea, Ben! I might have to try that out sometime soon. I’ve always done the larger cheeseball and served it with crackers + spreader. I love this time of the year…with holiday parties and spending time with friends and family! 🙂
I happen to think it’s very hip to call someone a cheeseball. I also happen to love that dang port wine one very much. You bacon cheddar ranch is a win for sure! You are so lucky you got to go spend a day with cows! Those babies are adorable!
Yeah, I had a bad run-in with a port wine cheeseball one time. But I’m thinking you could create a pretty fun one with beer somehow? Not sure how to add the liquid, but there’s got to be a way! Anyways, bacon + cheddar makes everything better as far as I am concerned. And I loved (loved!) spending the day with those cows. And I even loved when the one calf tried to eat my arm. Nothing like it! 🙂 Thanks, Rachelle!
Yummy.. a mush try for all the cheese lovers!!
Definitely is a must-try…this cheeseball is perfect for holiday appetizer parties. Thanks, Sharmila! 🙂
The title of this post makes me feel that you may have invented this cheeseball while visiting a place called the Bacon Cheddar Ranch, and if that’s true, I really want to go there. In the meantime, I’ll satisfy myself by making this very tasty-looking cheeseball. It looks like it would be perfect for the holidays. Once again, you are the snack king.
Ohhh…if only a place called the Bacon Cheddar Ranch actually existed. I’m imagining a place where cheddar grows on trees and bacon sprouts up from the ground. And you can run through the fields with fistfuls of both! Haha. Happy Christmas appetizer-ing, Jeff! 🙂
it looks incredible David! All those wonderful flavors sound perfect for the holidays!
Thanks so much, Manali! I do hope things slow down for you over there and get to enjoy the holiday season a bit. My thoughts are with you! 🙂
Cabot cheese is the best! I wanted to go on one of those farm trips but there weren’t any too close to me. I happen to love cheese balls! I have even been known to make a meal out of them. True story 🙂
Oh no! Well then next year you’ll just have to come out and visit me, Ashley. Dellavale Farm (the one I went to) was awesome, and I’m sure they’ll be hosting again next year. 🙂 And we may or may not have eaten cheese ball for dinner one night recently. #IPleadThe5th 🙂
That would be cool to check out the Cabot’s Open Farm Sunday action. Honestly it’s been a while since I saw a cheeseball at a party and when you mentioned a pot wine one and a smoky bacon one I heard my stomach growl. I’m digging your Ranch version here. Plus, it’s embedded with lots of smoky pecans and herb. Delicious!
The lack of cheeseballs is probably because they only show up at the holidays for some reason. But I say just make your own. And if you want a cheeseball in July, then go for it, Kevin! 🙂 And, yes, Cabot’s Farm Day is awesome. You should come out east for it next year!
This might sound crazy David, but I’ve never indulged in a cheeseball. I can hardly believe it myself, but I’ve never run across one that tickled my fancy. Homemade appetizers are always better than store bought ones. Cabot’s farm looks awesome, the cows look so sweet.
Say what!? Stop everything. Right now! Go get a cheeseball! Ok, I totally get it. Those storebought cheeseballs are a little odd. I had a bad experience with a port wine version one time, and I can’t even think about them anymore. But homemade is always better! Plus, with homemade, you can add fun mix-ins like toasted pecans. 🙂 And, yes, those cows were super awesome. I wanted to bring one home, but I didn’t think Laura would approve…haha.
Cheese, bacon, ranch. What a trifecta! Just perfect for parties….or in my family something to snack on while playing board games! Also, great pictures David!
Oh man, board games! I haven’t played a good board game in years. We have a nice collection of legit games, too. Ticket to Ride and Settlers are 2 of our favorites…but a certain little one-year-old takes up most of our time these days. Maybe we can find time over the holidays to play again…with a cheeseball in tow, of course! 🙂
If you get to be a cheeseball, I get to be a cheeseball too. 😀
I totally think homemade beats out store bought but….sometimes convenience takes precedence. Okay, more often than not! I tried a plain cheeseball at a hotel years ago, but this twist sounds so good!!!!
Ok, ok, you totally get to be a cheeseball, too, Arman. A bacon cheddar ranch cheeseball! Or maybe half of a bacon cheddar ranch cheeseball…because that’s all that would be left after I got to the snack table!