This Creamy Broccoli Bacon Recipe is crunchy, cheesy, and packed with flavor—aka everything broccoli wishes it could always be. You only need six ingredients, and dinner’s ready fast.
Broccoli and bacon are already a match made in food heaven, but add a splash of cream and a handful of melty cheese, and you’ve got comfort food magic. This recipe is great for busy weeknights, picky eaters, or sneaking more veggies onto the table without complaints.
If you're into easy, family-friendly recipes like my Low Carb Broccoli Salad or Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters, this one's going to be a hit.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Only six ingredients: No complicated prep, just big flavor.
- Creamy, cheesy, and craveable: Comfort food with real ingredients.
- Great way to eat more veggies: Even broccoli skeptics approve.
⭐ Star Ingredients
You just need a few simple ingredients to make this broccoli bacon recipe!
- Broccoli Florets: I love using fresh florets here—just chop them small so they cook evenly and soak up all that creamy goodness.
- Bacon: Salty, crispy, and impossible to resist. I usually cook extra for snacking while the rest of the dish simmers.
- Heavy Cream: Adds rich, velvety texture to balance the saltiness of the bacon and keep everything lush.
- Mozzarella: Melts like a dream and pulls everything together into cheesy bliss.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔄 Substitutions & Variations
- Turkey bacon or pancetta are great swaps if you want a leaner or gourmet twist.
- Go dairy-free with coconut cream and your favorite non-dairy cheese.
- Add mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers for extra color and nutrition.
- Swap broccoli for cauliflower to change things up or lower the carb count.
- Toss in shredded rotisserie chicken to turn it into a full meal.
- Use cheddar instead of mozzarella if you like a stronger cheese flavor.
Craving more veggie-forward comfort food? Try my Spanakopita With Puff Pastry or Stuffed Mushrooms next.
🔪 How To Make Creamy Broccoli Bacon
- Step 1: Cook the bacon in a skillet until it's done. Take out the bacon and let the grease drain on a paper towel.
- Step 2: Add the chopped onion to the skillet, using the remaining bacon grease to cook it, and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
- Step 3: Put the florets in the skillet and let it cook for about 3 minutes. It should be bright green in color. Add in the garlic and stir.
- Step 4: Pour the cream into the skillet and reduce the heat to low to allow the cream to thicken, which should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Step 5: Once the sauce has thickened up, add in the bacon and toss to combine all the ingredients. Add mozzarella cheese and let it melt.
- Step 6: Top with more bacon and even chives or green onions. Now you're ready to serve this fantastic creamy veggie dish!
💡Hint: Chop broccoli small so it cooks fast and blends better with the sauce. No one wants to fight a giant tree on their fork.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Cook bacon in batches: Don’t overcrowd the pan—crispy bacon wins every time.
- Finely chop broccoli: Smaller pieces cook evenly and soak up the creamy sauce.
- Season the cream sauce: A pinch of salt and a tiny dash of nutmeg take it up a notch.
💭 FAQs
Yes, you could use frozen broccoli if you'd like but I do think that fresh broccoli tastes better. Frozen broccoli will release water and moisture and could make the dish soggy.
Absolutely. Gently warm it on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of cream if it thickens too much.
If you have leftovers from this broccoli and bacon recipe, you're in luck! Just add them to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Yes! Just make sure your bacon and cream are low-carb options. It’s a great low-carb side dish packed with flavor.
💖 Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite dishes to serve with creamy broccoli bacon:
- Roasted Potatoes: Crispy and golden, perfect for soaking up the sauce.
- Wild Rice Pilaf: : Hearty and wholesome with a nutty flavor.
- Sweet Potato Fries: That sweet-savory combo is a winner.
- Honey Garlic Chicken Breast or Pan Fried Salmon: Make it a full meal!
- Quinoa with Roasted Vegetables: For extra protein and texture.
Looking for more cozy veggie sides? Try Air Fryer Carrot Fries or Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers next!
🍽 More Tasty Broccoli Recipes
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Creamy Broccoli Bacon Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 Slices Bacon Diced
- 1 tablespoon Onion Diced
- 5 tablespoon Minced Garlic
- 1 ½ Cup Heavy Cream
- 1 Pound Broccoli Florets
- 1 Cup Mozzarella Shredded
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a skillet until it's done. Take out the bacon and let the grease drain on a paper towel.
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet (use the bacon grease to cook it!) and cook it for 2-3 minutes.
- Put the florets in the skillet and let it cook for about 3 minutes. It should be bright green in color. Add in the garlic and stir.
- Pour the cream into the skillet and reduce the heat to low. This will help the cream thicken up and should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Once the sauce has thickened up, add in the bacon and toss to combine all the ingredients.
- Add mozzarella cheese and let it melt. Top with more bacon and even chives or green onions.
Creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor—this broccoli bacon dish is a quick and comforting side that pairs perfectly with grilled meats or roasted chicken. The simple ingredients come together in just one skillet for an easy weeknight win.