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–+ servings
Spicy Ranch Cheese Ball surrounded by crackers

Spicy Ranch Cheese Ball

Yield: 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Additional Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Author: Michelle Goth
This Ranch Cheese Ball is just slightly spicy, and so easy to make!
5 from 6 ratings
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Ingredients
 

For the cheese ball:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese
  • 1 ounce ranch seasoning mix
  • 4 slices bacon, cooked, crumbled (divided, you will use half for the topping)
  • 2/3 cup green onions, diced (divided, you will use half for the topping)
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

For the topping:

  • 2/3 cup pecans, chopped
  • 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions
 

  • To a large mixing bowl, add cream cheese and sour cream. Mix until well combined.
  • Add shredded cheese, half of the green onions, half of the crumbled bacon, ranch mix, spices and hot sauce. Stir until well combined, and form into a ball shape.
  • Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight.
  • In a separate small bowl, combine the topping ingredients: cheddar cheese, remaining bacon, remaining green onions and chopped pecans. Stir to combine.
  • Either roll the formed ball in the toppings or gently press the toppings onto the ball.
  • Serve with crackers or cut vegetables.

Notes

You can make this ahead of time! Just wait until right before serving to apply the topping. I like to keep the topping items in a small Ziploc baggie in the fridge until I need them.
Do not feel like your cheeseball needs to be a perfect "ball" shape. You can shape it into a log, a football, or whatever suits you best. The most important thing is how awesome it tastes!
You can substitute bacon bits if you don't want to go to the trouble of cooking bacon.
If you are worried about this being too spicy, omit or reduce the cayenne pepper and/or hot sauce.
Serving: 1, Calories: 268kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 49mg, Sodium: 609mg, Potassium: 118mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 536IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 168mg, Iron: 0.3mg
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