Hot Bacon Cheese Spread

 Are you planning a party? Need some menu ideas? Here's a dip that I made a while back for a small group of friends, affectionately known as the LOBLs, (which stands for Living Our Best Life). Basically we just get together, have some great food, catch up with each other, and spend the entire night laughing. It's clearly a great way to live your best life. I highly recommend it!
 This recipe is perfect because you can make it ahead and it's ALWAYS a big hit. Frankly, I love anything with bacon and cheese, so I knew this one was gonna be a keeper even before I tasted it.
It's from Taste of Home, and it's the perfect party food, whether it's for the big Super Bowl Party, a Birthday Bash, or just simply a group of friends Living Our Best Life.
 DEFINITELY give this one a try!

2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup chopped onion
5 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1 garlic clove, minced
1 unsliced round loaf (1 pound) Italian bread

Heat oven to 350°F.
Cut top fourth off loaf of bread; carefully hollow out bottom, leaving a 1-inch shell. Cube removed bread and set aside. Combine the remaining ingredients; spoon into bread bowl. Replace top. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour or until heated through. Serve with reserved bread cubes.

Tips:
To make it ahead, simply mix up the ingredients and then store it in the fridge until the day of the party. I wouldn't put it in the bread bowl until you're ready to bake it.
 If you'd rather not do the bread bowl, no problem! Just mix everything together and bake it in a casserole dish. Serve with pita or tortilla chips, or cut up a few fresh bakery torpedo rolls,  or even break up a few soft pretzels for dipping. Sheer HEAVEN!
BTW, I doubled the whole recipe because more is more!
Enjoy this recipe with a light-bodied white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.