RECIPES:
Sep 20, 2022

Baked Cheesy Onion and Bacon Dip

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
This fall-inspired dip is perfect when paired with crisp crostini for dipping.
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This easy baked dip is made with caramelized onions, bacon and Asiago cheese with a cream cheese and sour cream base enhanced with fresh thyme. I love a dip like this filled with fall flavors for wine nights or for football Sunday afternoons. 

Baked Cheesy Onion and Bacon Dip 

thinly sliced yellow and red onions on white cutting board with chef knife for bacon dip

Key Ingredients in This Recipe 

  • Bacon – Smoked bacon adds a strong smoky and salty flavor to the dip. The rendered fat from the crispy bacon is used to add flavor to the caramelized onions and helps to bring out their sweetness.  
  • Onion – Caramelized onions are one of my favorite fall flavors, especially when paired with bacon and thyme, reminiscent of one of my favorite soups: French onion!
  • Cream cheese – The base of this creamy dip is cream cheese, so be sure to use the regular kind rather than low-fat. When the cream cheese is just out of the fridge it is so cold it won’t evenly combine with the other ingredients when added to the mixer. Leave the cream cheese on the counter for about 30 minutes to an hour so it easily blends with the other ingredients. 
  • Sour cream – I like to add sour cream to the base of the dip for a tangy flavor and lighter, fluffier texture. 
  • Asiago cheese – Asiago cheese is a cow’s milk cheese from Italy. Its texture can range from medium to hard depending on the aging. Look for aged Asiago cheese which has a nutty flavor and firm texture. 
  • Cheddar cheese – The difference between white Cheddar and yellow is the addition of annatto for color. I prefer white Cheddar for the aesthetics though yellow will do fine in its place. 
  • Thyme – Onion, thyme and smoked bacon go very well together for a savory seasoning combination. The thyme adds a herby depth to this dip recipe.

How to Make Baked Cheesy Onion and Bacon Dip

fried bacon for bacon dip
Step 1: Cook the bacon. 

Add the bacon to a medium sauté pan, and cook over medium heat, until the fat has rendered and the bacon is crispy, about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon to a paper towel lined plate to drain, reserving 2 tablespoons of the fat in the pan.

Step 2: Make the caramelized onions. 

Return the pan to medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until the onions are soft and tender, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and sugar then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are uniformly brown and caramelized, about 30 minutes.

caramelized onions for bacon dip
suated thyme and balsamic
Step 3: Add the thyme and balsamic. 

Add the thyme and balsamic vinegar and remove the pan from the heat.

Step 4: Make the base. 

Heat oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Combine cream cheese and sour cream in a medium mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer.

cream cheese for bacon dip
mixing onions, cheese, and bacon
Step 5: Add the onions, cheese and bacon. 

Add the caramelized onions, ¾ cup of the Asiago cheese, Cheddar cheese and the cooked bacon, stirring to combine.

Step 6: Bake the dip. 

Spread the dip in a 9” (22cm) heat-proof baking dish and spread the remaining Asiago cheese over the top. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

baked bacon dip
Step 7: Serve. 

Serve hot or at room temperature with crostini or buttery crackers.

Tips and Tricks for This Recipe 

To make crostini 

Cut a baguette into ½” (13mm) slices. Heat oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Dip one side of the baguette slices into the oil and place on a baking sheet with the oil-dipped side facing up. Repeat with the remaining slices. Bake until crisp, about 15 minutes. Remove and let cool.

How to make this dip ahead of time 

I love making dips like this ahead of time and refrigerating or freezing them to bake and serve for guests for an easy entertaining solution. Assemble and refrigerate for up to 2 days in advance or freeze for up to 3 months in advance. 

How to serve this dip cold

Since the bacon is cooked in advance and the onions are caramelized this dip can actually be served cold or at room temperature without baking it if desired. 

Other Recipes to Try

If you enjoy this baked bacon cheese dip, give these great recipes a try and follow me on Instagram for more updates:

Baked Cheesy Onion and Bacon Dip

Baked Cheesy Onion and Bacon Dip in small cast iron dish with crostini
Print Pin
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Serves 6

Ingredients:

  • ¾ pound applewood smoked bacon, cut into 1” (2.5cm) strips
  • 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 8-ounce block cream cheese, at room temperature
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 cup shredded Asiago cheese, divided
  • ½ cup shredded sharp white Cheddar cheese

Instructions:

  • Add the bacon to a medium sauté pan, and cook over medium heat, until the fat has rendered and the bacon is crispy, about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon to a paper towel lined plate to drain, reserving 2 tablespoons of the fat in the pan.
  • Return the pan to medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until the onions are soft and tender, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and sugar then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are uniformly brown and caramelized, about 30 minutes.
  • Add the thyme and balsamic vinegar and remove the pan from the heat.
  • Heat oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Combine cream cheese and sour cream in a medium mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer.
  • Add the caramelized onions, ¾ cup of the Asiago cheese, Cheddar cheese and the cooked bacon, stirring to combine.
  • Spread the dip in a 9" (22cm) heat-proof baking dish and spread the remaining Asiago cheese over the top. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
  • Serve hot or at room temperature with crostini or buttery crackers.

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