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    You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Side Dish / Creamy Broccoli with Bacon

    Creamy Broccoli with Bacon

    Published: Aug 28, 2019 · Modified: Mar 9, 2020 by Anna 5 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Creamy Broccoli with Bacon - your new favorite side dish! Steamed broccoli baked in creamy Parmesan sauce and bacon comes together in just 30 minutes.

    If you love broccoli as we do, you need to try my Roasted Broccoli recipe and also the Easy Broccoli Salad.

    Creamy Broccoli in cast iron skillet.

    This creamy broccoli side dish will turn you into a broccoli fan! My whole family devoured it in no time. It's very easy to make and can be served over rice, pasta, with roasted or rotisserie chicken. You can add cooked gnocchi or tortellini just before topping with cheese and baking. You will love the creamy garlic sauce and the cheese topping with bacon. This dish is easy and flavorful and bound to become a hit!

    Ingredients (your shopping list):

    • fresh broccoli
    • bacon
    • Parmesan cheese
    • mozzarella cheese
    • onion
    • garlic
    • cornstarch
    • half and half
    • salt and pepper
    • Italian seasoning
    Ingredients for Creamy Broccoli dish on marble board.

    Step by step instructions:

    This dish is very easy to make and requires only one skillet and one bowl. Cook broccoli in the microwave and make the sauce and bake the dish in the cast iron skillet.

    Step 1: broccoli

    Place broccoli florets in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with water and cook for 2 minutes. Stir and cook for 1 more minute. Drain and set aside.

    Step 2: bacon

    Chop bacon and fry in skillet until crispy. Remove onto a plate and drain the grease from skillet.

    Step 1 for broccoli and bacon skillet.

    Step 3: the sauce

    Melt butter in skillet. Add garlic and onion and saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Add half and half whisked with cornstarch and simmer until the sauce thickens. Add salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and dried parsley. Stir everything together.

    Step 4: assembly

    Add broccoli and half of cooked bacon to the sauce and stir.

    Step 2: creamy sauce and assembling the dish.

    Step 5: top and bake

    Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan over the broccoli. Top it with remaining bacon and bake until bubbly.

    Step 3: top dish with cheese and bake.

    Best tips:

    • steam the veggie: while you can saute fresh broccoli florets with onion and garlic in the skillet, it will be harder and chewier. Steaming or cooking the broccoli for just 3 minutes in the microwave, softens it and gives it the perfect texture for this creamy skillet. If you are cooking for a family with kids, it will be a preferred texture.
    • cornstarch: while you can use all-purpose flour, I always recommend cornstarch for making sauces. It gives them a perfectly smooth texture, without clumps. It also makes the sauce gluten-free.
    • skillet: while you can make this recipe in any baking dish, I recommend oven-safe cast iron skillet, because you can make the sauce and bake the dish in one vessel. Fewer dishes to clean up!
    Creamy Broccoli side dish in cast iron skillet.

    Can I use other vegetables to make this dish?

    Absolutely! You can use cauliflower, carrots, Brussels sprouts, etc. The creamy Parmesan sauce is delicious with many other veggies.

    More recipes with broccoli:

    • Garlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
    • Instant Pot Broccoli and Cheddar Soup
    • Quick and Easy Broccoli Salad

    If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀 

    Creamy Broccoli with Bacon in skillet.

    Creamy Broccoli with Bacon

    Author: Anna
    Your new favorite side dish! Steamed broccoli baked in creamy Parmesan sauce and bacon comes together in just 30 minutes.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 378 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
    • 5 slices of bacon chopped roughly
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 3 teaspoons minced garlic
    • ½ medium onion chopped
    • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • ½ teaspoon dried parsley
    • 1 cup half and half
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
    • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

    Instructions
     

    • Place broccoli florets in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with water. Cook for 2 minutes. Stir and cook for 1 more minute. Drain and set aside.
    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
    • In a large cast-iron skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Remove onto a plate. Drain grease from the pan.
    • Melt one tablespoon of butter in skillet. Add garlic and onion and saute for 3 minutes.
    • Add Italian seasoning and stir in.
    • Whisk cornstarch with half and half. Add to sauteed veggies in skillet.
    • Simmer sauce, stirring often, until thickens. Turn off the heat.
    • Add dried parsley, salt and pepper to sauce and stir. Add broccoli and half of cooked bacon. Stir gently to coat broccoli in sauce.
    • Top broccoli with shredded cheese and remaining bacon.
    • Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until bubbly.

    Notes

    You can use frozen steamable broccoli and pop it into a microwave for 3 to 4 minutes (according to the instructions on the package). Drain well and use in the recipe.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 378kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 825mg | Potassium: 471mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1110IU | Vitamin C: 83.4mg | Calcium: 328mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Trang says

      August 28, 2019 at 10:40 pm

      5 stars
      This totally would make for a great Thanksgiving side dish too!

      Reply
    2. Julie Blanner says

      August 28, 2019 at 8:31 pm

      5 stars
      Ohh this is dangerous! It's so good! Love the combination of flavors, and can't wait to make it again.

      Reply
    3. Krissy Allori says

      August 28, 2019 at 8:04 pm

      5 stars
      have a flank steak just begging me to make this to go with it!

      Reply
    4. wilhelmina says

      August 28, 2019 at 7:51 pm

      5 stars
      Made this to go along side chicken tonight and it was delicious!!!

      Reply
    5. Suzy says

      August 28, 2019 at 3:18 pm

      5 stars
      Wow! The flavor of this is so good! Can't go wrong with cheese and broccoli!

      Reply

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    Crunchy Creamy Sweet Anna

    Hi, I'm Anna! Thank you for stopping by! Here you will find easy and delicious recipes for busy people. My recipes are made with everyday ingredients and all of them are family approved!

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