Easy Creamy Broccoli and Bacon Recipe

This is my go-to pan-scraper, kid-pleaser, last-minute-hero: a ridiculously creamy broccoli and bacon mashup that somehow makes family vegetables taste like a hug from the oven. It’s the Easy Creamy Broccoli and Bacon Recipe I brag about on nights when I actually remember to thaw something. Special? Yes — because it combines crispy bacon, silky sauce, and broccoli that doesn’t taste like regret. Try it if you want dinner that looks like effort but feels like cheat day.

One chaotic family anecdote: my husband once proudly proclaimed he’d “help” by basting the bacon and then used the spatula as a microphone mid-song. The bacon went from perfectly crisp to character-building, and the kids learned a new word: charred. I laughed, he cried (about the time we eat off paper plates), and I learned to cook with a splint for my ego. We survived; the dish did, too.

Time-Saving Hacks

– Use frozen broccoli florets. They’re already trimmed and emotionally prepared.
– Buy pre-cooked bacon or crisp it in the microwave if you hate calories and dishes equally.
– One-pan cook? Yes. Use the same pan for bacon and sauce; fewer dishes, more smugness.
– Skip the whisk and stir with a fork. The texture will still pass muster.
– Re-purpose jarred Alfredo to fake a homemade bechamel when you need friends over ASAP.

Serving Ideas

– Serve with rice for the carb-hug people, or over toasted sourdough if you’re trying to be photogenic.
– Throw it on pasta and call it “comfort with depth.” Kids won’t ask for broccoli twice.
– Serve with wine if the kids drove you nuts that day. I won’t judge — I’ll pour one too.
– For guests: garnish with extra bacon and a smug look as you place it on the table.
– If you want to be wild, add a squeeze of lemon. It’s like a clean shirt for your palette.

What to Serve It With

Roasted potatoes, buttered noodles, or a simple green salad if you’re pretending to balance things out. For breakfasts-who-are-also-dinners, spoon it atop scrambled eggs and pretend it’s haute cuisine.

✔Tips & Mistakes

Burn risk: If your pan starts smoking, you’ve gone from dinner to performance art. Turn the heat down and breathe.
Texture: Don’t overcook the broccoli — mush is for regret, not dinner. Aim for tender-crisp.
If your sauce splits, whisk in a splash of cream or a pat of butter off-heat and pretend that was the plan. I’ve ruined more sauces than I care to admit; this fixes most of them.

✔Storage Tips

Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh.
– Keep in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
– Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk to revive the creaminess. Microwave works in a pinch — but be prepared for uneven hot spots and dramatic steam explosions.
– Freezing: Not ideal (broccoli gets weepy), but it’s possible if you plan to reheat into a casserole.

✔Variations and Substitutions

Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts.
– Vegetarian? Swap bacon for smoky tempeh or crispy mushrooms. I cry for bacon, but I understand choices.
– Dairy-free? Use coconut cream or cashew cream and a touch of nutritional yeast for umami.
– Want heat? Add red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha. If your tongue survives, so will your family’s dinner debates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Easy Creamy Broccoli and Bacon Recipe

This recipe combines tender broccoli with crispy bacon in a creamy sauce.

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 2 cups broccoli florets
• ▢ 0.5 cups bacon bits
• ▢ 1 cup heavy cream
• ▢ 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ 0.25 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add broccoli. Cook for 3-4 minutes until bright green, then drain.
• In a skillet, cook the bacon bits over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set aside.
• In the same skillet, add heavy cream, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir and bring to a simmer.
• Add the cooked broccoli and Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Stir until combined and heated through.
• Top with crispy bacon before serving.

Notes

This dish pairs well with grilled chicken or steak.