Description

A budget-friendly, savory pull-apart bread made with a French or Italian loaf, ranch butter, cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon. Perfect for game days and parties, this recipe is easy to make ahead and feeds a crowd.

Ingredients

Scale

1 large French or Italian loaf (about 1.5 pounds / 680g)
½ cup (113g) butter, softened
1 packet (1 ounce) ranch seasoning mix
2 cups (200g) cheddar cheese, shredded
12 slices cooked bacon, crumbled (about 1 cup)
1 cup (100g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
3–4 stalks green onions, sliced
½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Slice the bread loaf horizontally into 1-inch thick slices, leaving the bottom crust intact so the loaf stays connected like a hinge.
In a small bowl, mix softened butter, ranch seasoning, and garlic powder (if using) until it forms a uniform paste.
Spread the ranch butter mixture generously between each slice of bread.
Sprinkle half of the cheddar cheese and half of the crumbled bacon between the slices, pressing down gently.
Place the stuffed loaf into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese on top.
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes.
Remove foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Let rest for 5 minutes, garnish with green onions, and pull apart to serve.

Notes

For best results, shred your own cheese to ensure smooth melting. Cook bacon until crisp to prevent sogginess. This recipe can be assembled the night before and refrigerated; add 5-10 minutes to baking time if baking from cold. Can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 piece (approx. 1/1
Calories: 280
Sugar: 2
Sodium: 520
Fat: 16
Saturated Fat: 8
Carbohydrates: 24
Fiber: 1
Protein: 10

Keywords: game day food, pull apart bread, bacon ranch bread, budget appetizer, super bowl snacks, cheesy bread, make ahead appetizer