A delectable meatloaf cooked with either lamb or beef is served over mashed potatoes seasoned with green onions and fresh peas for a vibrant dish ideal for spring.
| Prep Time: | 5 mins |
| Cook Time: | 10 mins |
| Refrigerate Time: | 30 mins |
| Stand Time: | 30 mins |
| Total Time: | 1 hr 15 mins |
| Servings: | 15 |
Ingredients
- 4 strips bacon
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing mix
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer bacon strips to a lined baking sheet with a drip tray. Refrigerate bacon until crisp.
- In a bowl spread out cream cheese and sprinkle ranch seasoning over the cheese. Blend together until well combined.
- Chop bacon until it resembles fine crumbs. Reserve 2 tablespoons. Add remaining bacon to the cream cheese mixture. Using clean (gloved) hands roll cream cheese mixture into a ball. Refrigerate for 30 minutes
- Combine chopped pecans and reserved bacon in a small bowl. Cover cream cheese ball with pecan bacon mixture. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Let come to room temperature about 30 minutes before serving.
Reviews
This would make an easy cheeseball for a holiday pot luck. It presents well. I like a stronger flavored cheese spread. So, if I made it again I might add roasted peppers or extra shredded sharp cheeses. I like the idea of using a more flavored cracker as another reviewer did. This was quick to make and would be fine as a last minute appetizer. Ty
I had to modify it because I’m deathly allergic to nuts so I added more bacon. I just wish you would include alternatives to nuts in all of your recipes for those of us who can’t have nuts. I don’t want to die for a recipe. If you include nuts please give an alternative.
Easy to make and a crowd pleaser!
I cut this recipe in half since it was for just my husband and me. It made a tiny, cute, little baby cheese ball. I’ve had cheese balls before with ranch, but adding bacon makes it so so good. I served it with sundried tomato & basil wheat thins. Delicious!
This is definitely an easy fix for unexpected (and expected) company! The recipe is simple, and the Ranch Dressing mix adds such a unique flavor to it. IF you don’t have gloves – put baggies on your hands and secure it with a rubber band around your wrist. After completely coating the ball, I was able to roll it into the baggie to set up in the refrigerator. The combination of bacon and pecans is a real treat on the taste buds! I did use a low-fat cream cheese to cut out some of the calories, but that was it. Fake bacon bits don’t have the flavor of real bacon- use real. It is great on baguettes slices, or any cracker.