Description
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli recipe offers a delicious blend of crispy bacon, tender broccoli, and a rich, cheesy sauce made with garlic, cream, and parmesan. Perfect as a comforting side dish, it’s baked to bubbly perfection and topped with a crispy cheese crust for extra flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 5oz (150g) bacon, cut into strips
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup (180ml) heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 2 pounds (1kg) broccoli florets
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids
- 1/4 cup (60ml) chicken or vegetable stock
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the broccoli mixture later.
- Fry Bacon: In a large oven-safe skillet, fry the bacon strips over medium heat until they become crispy. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
- Sauté Broccoli: Melt the unsalted butter in the same skillet. Add broccoli florets along with salt and freshly cracked pepper. Cook the broccoli for about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally until tender but still crisp.
- Add Ingredients: Stir in the minced garlic, heavy cream, cream cheese, chicken or vegetable stock, half of the parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, and paprika. Lower the heat and let the mixture simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Combine and Bake: Mix the crisp bacon back into the skillet with the broccoli and sauce. Sprinkle the remaining parmesan and mozzarella cheese on top. Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and the broccoli is tender. For a golden and crispy cheese crust, broil the dish for an additional 2 minutes.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven. Season with additional freshly cracked pepper as desired and sprinkle with chopped parsley for garnish. Serve warm and enjoy your creamy, savory broccoli side dish!
Notes
- Use an oven-safe skillet to seamlessly transition from stovetop to oven without transferring the dish.
- For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and use vegetable stock.
- You can substitute cream cheese with mascarpone for a richer flavor.
- Broccoli can be steamed slightly before sautéing if you prefer a softer texture.
- If you do not have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the mixture to a baking dish before baking.
