A bacon ranch melt is a delicious and hearty sandwich made with melted cheese, bacon, and ranch dressing. It combines the savory flavors of bacon and cheese with the creamy tanginess of ranch dressing for an easy yet tasty meal or snack. Here’s a closer look at how this sandwich is made and some tips for making the perfect bacon ranch melt at home.
Main Ingredients
The main ingredients that go into a bacon ranch melt are:
- Bread – Sliced bread works best. Brioche, sourdough, and wheat bread all work well.
- Cheese – Cheddar, American, and pepperjack are all common melted cheeses. Shredded or sliced cheese can be used.
- Bacon – Cooked bacon slices add a smoky, salty crunch.
- Ranch dressing – The creamy ranch flavor pulls the whole sandwich together.
- Optionally, you can also add tomatoes, lettuce, onions or other toppings.
How to Make a Bacon Ranch Melt
Making a bacon ranch melt is easy to do in just a few steps:
- Cook the bacon until crispy either in a skillet or the oven. Let cool and roughly chop.
- Lightly toast your bread slices.
- On one slice, spread a layer of ranch dressing. Top with shredded cheese and chopped bacon.
- Place the sandwich in a heated skillet or panini press. Cook until the cheese is fully melted.
- Slice in half or quarters and enjoy!
Pan Grilled Bacon Ranch Melt
One tasty variation is to grill the sandwich in a skillet:
- Butter the outsides of the sandwich bread.
- Place in a preheated skillet over medium heat.
- Grill for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Flip and grill until the cheese melts.
The buttered bread will become crispy and browned as it grills.
Oven Baked Bacon Ranch Melt
You can also bake the sandwich easily in the oven:
- Butter the bread and construct the sandwich.
- Place on a baking sheet or oven safe pan.
- Bake at 400°F for 10-12 minutes until the bread is toasted and cheese melted.
- Broil for 1-2 minutes to make the cheese bubbly and browned if desired.
Tips for the Perfect Bacon Ranch Melt
Follow these tips for bacon ranch melts that are hot and delicious every time:
- Get the bread toasty – Lightly toasting the bread first helps prevent a soggy sandwich.
- Butter the bread – A thin layer of butter or mayo helps the bread brown while grilling.
- Shred the cheese – Shredded cheese melts faster than slices for gooey sandwiches.
- Chop the bacon – Cutting the bacon into pieces distributes it throughout the sandwich.
- Press down while grilling – Press the top gently with a spatula to help the cheese melt faster.
- Cook thoroughly – Make sure the cheese is fully melted before serving.
Bacon Ranch Melt Variations
There are many tasty ways to customize your bacon ranch melt:
Southwest Bacon Ranch Melt
- Add roasted red peppers and chili powder.
- Use pepperjack cheese for a kick.
- Top with sliced avocado.
Cowboy Bacon Ranch Melt
- Use bbq sauce instead of ranch.
- Top with crispy fried onions.
- Add sliced ham.
Hawaiian Bacon Ranch Melt
- Top with grilled pineapple slices and ham.
- Add shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Make with Hawaiian rolls.
Mix and match toppings to invent your own signature bacon ranch melt!
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Bacon slices | 4-6 slices |
| Bread slices | 2 |
| Shredded cheese | 1/2 cup |
| Ranch dressing | 2-3 tbsp |
Use this simple ingredient chart as a guide to prepare a bacon ranch melt for 2.
Serving and Storing Bacon Ranch Melts
Bacon ranch melts are best enjoyed right after cooking while the bread is still crispy and cheese hot and melty. However, here are some serving and storage tips:
- Let cool for 5 minutes before cutting if very hot.
- Wrap individually in foil and keep in a warm oven to serve at parties.
- Refrigerate up to 5 days.
- Reheat in the oven wrapped in foil until hot.
- Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge overnight before reheating.
The ranch dressing may cause the bread to become a little soggy over time but reheating will help crispen it up.
Conclusion
With its hearty flavors and easy preparation, the bacon ranch melt makes for a perfect quick lunch or dinner any time. Feel free to customize with your favorite melty cheese or ranch variety. Grilling, baking or pan frying all yield deliciously hot and gooey bacon ranch melts to enjoy.