This creamy broccoli with bacon combines tender broccoli, crispy bacon, and plenty of garlic with a rich cream sauce and melted mozzarella and Parmesan. Everything cooks in one skillet, making it an easy side dish for chicken, salmon, or steak.
I love the combination of broccoli, bacon, and cheese here. The broccoli still has a little bite, the bacon adds a salty crunch, and the melted cheese brings everything together. Serve it straight from the skillet while the topping is warm and melty.
If you love broccoli with cheese as much as I do, try my creamy broccoli cheese soup next. For a complete family dinner, my chicken divan casserole combines chicken and broccoli with a creamy sauce and a cheesy topping.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Broccoli with Bacon
- Easy to serve with dinner: Pair it with chicken, steak, pork chops, or fish for a meal that’s simple to put together.
- Tender broccoli in a creamy sauce: The broccoli keeps a little bite, with rich garlic cream sauce and melted cheese in every forkful.
- No flour or extra thickener needed: Heavy cream gives the sauce its richness, while mozzarella and Parmesan add a cheesy finish.
- Use the cheese you love: Swap the mozzarella for sharp cheddar, provolone, Gruyère, Gouda, or Pepper Jack. Each brings a slightly different flavor and texture.
- A delicious way to use leftover cheese: I sometimes combine the little bits of cheese left in my fridge. It’s an easy way to use them up in something everyone can share.
- One skillet, less cleanup: Everything cooks in the same pan, from the crispy bacon to the broccoli and cheese topping.
Cheesy Bacon Broccoli Ingredients
- Broccoli: Fresh broccoli works well when you want florets that stay slightly firm. Cut them into similar bite-size pieces, and dry them after washing so extra water doesn’t thin the sauce.
- Bacon: Chop the bacon before cooking so you get little pieces throughout the broccoli. Cook it until crisp, then set it aside while you prepare the rest.
- Butter: Adds flavor when cooking the onion. Drain the excess bacon grease first so the finished dish doesn’t become overly greasy.
- Onion and garlic: Cook the onion until softened, then add the garlic toward the end of sautéing the broccoli. Garlic only needs a brief time in the hot pan before you add the liquid.
- Heavy cream: Gives the sauce its rich, creamy texture. Milk will make a thinner sauce, so it isn’t a direct substitute here.
- Mozzarella and Parmesan: Mozzarella gives you that melty topping, while Parmesan adds a stronger, savory flavor. You can use cheddar in place of the mozzarella if you prefer a sharper cheese flavor.
- Salt and black pepper: Bacon and Parmesan already add salt, so taste the finished sauce before adding more.
How to Make Creamy Broccoli with Bacon
Cook the Bacon
Chop the bacon into small pieces and add it to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the fat has rendered and the bacon is crisp. Transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate.
Drain most of the bacon grease before continuing. You want a little flavor left in the pan, but not a pool of fat that will make the sauce greasy.
Soften the Onion and Add the Broccoli
Melt the butter in the same skillet, then add the diced onion. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften.
Add the broccoli florets, salt, and black pepper. Keep the pieces a similar size so they cook evenly, and pat them dry after washing. Sauté for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the broccoli turns bright green.
Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Add the cream before the garlic starts to brown.
Gently Simmer the Cream Sauce
Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat as needed so you see small bubbles around the edges rather than a vigorous boil.
Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce begins to thicken. It should lightly coat the broccoli while still leaving some sauce in the bottom of the skillet.
Pierce a thicker piece of broccoli with a fork to check the texture. For tender-crisp broccoli, the fork should go in with a little resistance. If you prefer it softer, cover the skillet briefly and continue cooking before adding the cheese.
Add the Bacon and Melt the Cheese
Stir the cooked bacon back into the skillet. Sprinkle the Parmesan and mozzarella evenly over the broccoli, reduce the heat to low, and cover for 2–3 minutes, until the cheese melts.
For a golden topping, use a broiler-safe skillet and briefly broil uncovered instead. Stay close and remove it as soon as the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
Taste and Serve
Taste before adding more salt, since the bacon and Parmesan already add plenty of savory flavor. Sprinkle with chopped parsley if you like, then serve warm, spooning a little of the garlic cream sauce over each portion.
Storing and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a small splash of water if the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally and heat until the leftovers reach 165°F (74°C). The broccoli will soften a little more when reheated.
What to Serve with Creamy Broccoli
This broccoli has a rich sauce, so it works well with a simply cooked main dish. Try it with my pan-seared chicken breast or crispy baked chicken leg quarters. My air fryer salmon is another easy option for dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes, but it will be softer than fresh broccoli. Thaw it completely and pat it dry before cooking. Check it early, since it may need less time to become tender.
Can I use cheddar instead of mozzarella?
Yes. Cheddar gives the topping a stronger cheese flavor, while mozzarella is milder and stretchier. Keep the Parmesan for its savory flavor.
Do I need to put the skillet in the oven?
No. Cover the skillet over low heat until the cheese melts. Broiling is optional if you want a golden topping.
More Easy Vegetable Side Dishes
If you enjoy vegetables with cheese and bacon, try my loaded cauliflower bake. These garlic butter mushrooms are another quick skillet side, while my creamy cauliflower mash works well with roast chicken or steak.
Creamy Broccoli with Bacon
Description
Ingredients
- 8 slices regular-cut bacon chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 5 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 4 cups broccoli florets cut into similar bite-size pieces
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley optional, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the bacon. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp and the fat has rendered. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Cook the onion. Drain most of the bacon grease from the skillet. Add the butter and onion, then cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to soften.
- Add the broccoli. Add the broccoli, salt, and black pepper. Sauté for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the broccoli turns bright green. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Make the cream sauce. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce begins to thicken and the broccoli is nearly as tender as you like. If needed, cover briefly to help the broccoli soften.
- Add the bacon and cheese. Stir in the cooked bacon. Sprinkle the Parmesan and mozzarella over the top. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for another 2–3 minutes, until the cheese melts.
- Serve. Taste and adjust the seasoning, sprinkle with parsley if using, and serve warm.
Video
Notes
- Dry the broccoli well: Extra water on the florets can thin the cream sauce. If using frozen broccoli, thaw completely, pat dry, and check for tenderness earlier.
- Keep the heat gentle: Avoid boiling vigorously once the cream is added, and use low heat to melt the cheese.
- For a golden topping: Use a broiler-safe skillet and briefly broil uncovered instead of covering to melt the cheese. Watch closely to prevent burning.
Nutrition information is shared to make meal planning easier. Values are estimates and can vary depending on the ingredients, brands, and serving sizes used. Learn more in my nutrition policy.
Forget any special diet plan — this recipe is pure comfort food! I’ve got my hungry ON!
This dish looks so satisfying and filling! Love anything with broccoli and cheese.
This dish looks so creamy and delicious! Such an easy meal for any day!
This looks delicious and super easy to make! 🙂
I have a few friends who barely stand broccoli but they always eat it when they come over. Probably because I try all kinds of recipes and pick the best ones. Yours looks fantastic, and I can’t wait to experiment with it!
I hope your friends will enjoy this meal!