Description
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli recipe combines tender broccoli florets with crispy bacon and a luscious garlic-infused cream sauce, topped with melted parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. It’s baked to bubbly perfection and finished under the broiler for a golden, crispy cheese crust, making it a comforting and flavorful side dish perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Bacon and Butter
- 5 oz (150 g) bacon, cut into strips
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Vegetables and Seasoning
- 2 pounds (1 kg) broccoli florets
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
Cream Sauce
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) chicken or vegetable stock
- 1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the broccoli casserole.
- Cook Bacon: In a large oven-safe skillet, fry the bacon strips over medium heat until crispy. Once done, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
- Sauté Broccoli: Melt the unsalted butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the broccoli florets, seasoning with salt and fresh cracked pepper. Cook the broccoli for about 6 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp.
- Add Garlic and Cream Sauce: Stir in the minced garlic, heavy cream, cream cheese, chicken or vegetable stock, half of the parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, and paprika. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the mixture gently for 3-4 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Combine and Bake: Mix the crispy bacon back into the skillet with the broccoli and cream sauce. Spread evenly, then top with the remaining parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and the broccoli is tender.
- Broil for Crispy Top: For a golden and crispy cheese crust, broil the casserole for an additional 2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, season with additional fresh cracked pepper if desired, and sprinkle with chopped parsley for garnish. Serve warm and enjoy your creamy, cheesy garlic parmesan broccoli!
Notes
- You can substitute the bacon with turkey bacon or omit it for a vegetarian version.
- Use vegetable stock to keep the recipe vegetarian friendly.
- For a lower fat option, replace heavy cream with half-and-half or light cream, though sauce might be less rich.
- Make sure the skillet is oven-safe to avoid transferring the mixture to another baking dish.
- Broil carefully and watch closely to achieve a perfectly browned cheese topping without burning.
