Take your vegetable side dish game to the next level with this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli with Bacon. This dish combines tender broccoli florets with a rich, creamy sauce infused with garlic and Parmesan, all topped off with crispy bacon pieces for a deliciously indulgent experience. Whether you’re looking for a way to make your family eat more greens or want to impress your guests with a flavorful side dish, this recipe is the perfect choice. It’s quick to prepare, incredibly tasty, and sure to be a hit at any meal.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 4 strips bacon, chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- A pinch of black pepper (adjust to your preference)
- Optional: A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for added spice
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions:
- Cook the Bacon:
- In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet.
- Sauté the Broccoli:
- Add the broccoli florets to the skillet with the bacon grease. Sauté over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until the broccoli starts to become tender but still has a bit of crunch. Remove the broccoli from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Creamy Sauce:
- In the same skillet, heat the butter over medium heat until melted. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly until it becomes fragrant, taking care not to let it burn.
- Pour in the heavy cream, stirring well to combine with the garlic and butter.
- Allow the cream to gently simmer for 2-3 minutes, which will help it thicken a bit.
- Add Parmesan and Seasonings:
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Continue to cook the sauce, stirring constantly, until the cheese has melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth, about 3-4 minutes.
- Combine with Broccoli and Bacon:
- Add the sautéed broccoli and crispy bacon back into the skillet with the creamy sauce. Toss everything together until the broccoli is well coated in the sauce and heated through.
- Serve:
- Transfer the creamy garlic Parmesan broccoli with bacon to a serving dish. Serve immediately and enjoy this rich and savory side dish!
Conclusion:
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli with Bacon is a decadent and delicious way to enjoy your vegetables. The tender broccoli, rich garlic-infused cream sauce, and crispy bacon come together to create a side dish that’s both comforting and indulgent. Perfect for holiday dinners, special occasions, or a simple weeknight meal, this recipe is sure to elevate any dinner spread. Easy to make and bursting with flavor, it’s a surefire way to turn broccoli into a family favorite.
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli with Bacon: A Flavorful Side Dish
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli with Bacon is a rich side dish with tender broccoli in a creamy garlic and Parmesan sauce, topped with crispy bacon. Ready in just 25 minutes with 10 minutes of prep, it serves 4 and contains about 350 calories per serving—perfect for holiday dinners or elevating weeknight meals.
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 4 strips bacon chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- A pinch of black pepper adjust to your preference
- Optional: A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for added spice
- Optional: Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet.
- Sauté the Broccoli: Add the broccoli florets to the skillet with the bacon grease. Sauté over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until the broccoli starts to become tender but still has a bit of crunch. Remove the broccoli from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: In the same skillet, heat the butter over medium heat until melted. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly until it becomes fragrant, taking care not to let it burn. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring well to combine with the garlic and butter. Allow the cream to gently simmer for 2-3 minutes, which will help it thicken a bit.
- Add Parmesan and Seasonings: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Continue to cook the sauce, stirring constantly, until the cheese has melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth, about 3-4 minutes.
- Combine with Broccoli and Bacon: Add the sautéed broccoli and crispy bacon back into the skillet with the creamy sauce. Toss everything together until the broccoli is well coated in the sauce and heated through.
- Serve: Transfer the creamy garlic Parmesan broccoli with bacon to a serving dish. Serve immediately and enjoy this rich and savory side dish!