Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball!

A good cheese ball is always a great party appetizer and it's something you can keep on hand in the fridge during the holidays for drop in guests or even for a last minute gift.   

One of my aunts loves cheese balls of any variety.  So every year, I make her cheese balls for her Christmas present. She looks forward to her annual cheese ball!  

This cheese ball recipe is a good one, because you probably have all of the ingredients on hand and there aren't that many ingredients. 

 Here is what you will need:

2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese, softened

1 (1 oz.) pkg. dry ranch dressing mix, unprepared

2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

1/4 cups grated Parmesan cheese

dash of hot sauce (I used Tabasco)

1/4 cup green onion, chopped (use some of the green blade)

1 cup real bacon bits, divided

2 Tbs. dried parsley

In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with the dry ranch dressing mix until the cream cheese is fluffy and the dressing mix is well blended.  Mix in the cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, hot sauce, green onion, and 1/2 cup of the bacon bits.  Cover and refrigerate for about 2 hours. 

Mix the other 1/2 cup of bacon bits and the parsley and spread it on a sheet of wax paper or nonstick aluminum foil.   Remove the cheese ball mixture from the bowl and form into a ball.  Roll in the bacon bits and parsley mixture making sure to cover all sides of it. 

 Place on a plate and serve with assorted crackers and maybe some fruit!