Cheesy Hot Bacon Dip

​½ pound thick sliced bacon
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
16 ounces sour cream
½ teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper
1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ cup sliced green onion
 
1.  Preheat oven to 425 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil.  Spread bacon slices flat on foil and bake for 10 minutes; carefully drain off rendered fat.  Turn bacon and return to oven for another 10 minutes or until crisp but not overcooked.  Transfer to paper-towel lined plate to drain.
 
2.  Reduce oven temperature to 400 degrees and spray a 1 ½ quart casserole dish with cooking spray.  Beat cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder and salt and pepper until smooth.  Stir in cheddar cheese and green onion; crumble bacon and add to mixture.

3.  Transfer to prepared dish and bake until heated through and bubbly, about 25-30 minutes.  Let stand for about 10 minutes before serving with crackers or vegetables.
 
Added November 2017; revised January 2019