Creamy Broccoli Bake Recipe with Bacon

This creamy broccoli bake casserole is creamy, filling and packed with flavor. It is also great as a main dish or steak house side dish.

I have been making this casserole for as long as I can remember and every time I make it, there is never any leftover. Its a recipe that everyone loves. This cheesy broccoli casserole is a great recipe for a simple dinner or a quick lunch. It is also hearty enough to be a complete meal on its own. I like to use fresh broccoli florets for this but frozen will work and keep in mind that the cooking time may vary slightly since not all ovens broil the same. For this, keep an eye on it when popping it under the broiler. You want the surface of the casserole to be golden brown and bubbly but it can burn quite easily if your oven rack is on the high side.

If you love this broccoli cheese bake, another one of our family favorites is this chopped broccoli casserole with sharp cheddar cheese and a buttery cracker topping by Miss Paula Deen. 

This Creamy Broccoli Bake Is…

• The perfect side dish for a steakhouse dinner or a great main dish.
• A baked broccoli mixture with a creamy sauce and smoky bacon flavor.
• An easy broccoli casserole to make up for the whole family.
• A delicious way to combine broccoli in a dish when you have picky eaters or anyone that is not a big broccoli fan.
• A complete meal in one that is great the next day.

Ingredients

Broccoli- you can use fresh broccoli or frozen broccoli for this recipe. When using frozen I like to allow it to defrost a little to avoid excess moisture in the cream sauce. To defrost it I let it come to room temperature and dab it with a kitchen towel before using.

Bacon- I like to use thick cut bacon for this but standard bacon is fine. If using particularly thin bacon you may want to add a little extra.

Flour- all-purpose flour works perfectly to thicken the sauce.

Milk- I use whole milk but you can also use 2% milk if you like.

Cheese- I prefer mozzarella cheese for this but Colby jack cheese or white cheddar cheese also work nicely.

Garlic- use large cloves of garlic.

Seasoning- I use sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper but standard salt and pepper will work.

Tools

Casserole Dish or Cast-Iron Skillet

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Directions

Cut up bacon into bite-sized pieces. Heat a skillet over medium and cook the bacon until crisp. Strain off about half the grease, leaving some to help make a rue. In a separate pot, steam broccoli crowns until cooked evenly but be careful not to overcook set aside.

Add the flour to the bacon pan and coat the bacon and any grease in the pan with the flour. Slowly add the milk a 1/2 cup at a time.

Whisk on low heat to help thicken the milk. Salt and pepper the thickened milk mixture as needed. Then add the garlic and half the cheese.

Allow it to simmer for a couple of minutes and add the tender broccoli to the pan.

Stir to coat all the florets well. Then remove from heat and top with remaining cheese.

Pop under the broiler until golden and bubbling.

Cooking Tips

• If using a baking dish or casserole pan it is helpful to spray it first with nonstick cooking spray. Place contents in the prepared dish and top with cheese, then broil as instructed.
• Use a ceramic, porcelain or metal casserole dish. Glass casserole dishes are not suitable for broiler heat. You can also opt to bake the casserole until golden to get a similar effect.
• Strain off about half the grease and allow some to remain, the fat will be used to make a rue with flour to help thicken the milk. It is important to add the milk slowly. Adding too fast will result in a runny sauce. Add 1/2 cup at a time, allowing it to simmer until thickened, then add another 1/2 cup.
• Steam broccoli until it is just done. Be careful not to overcook otherwise the casserole will come out soggy. Broccoli should be bright green and crisp when added to the skillet.

How To Store

Store leftover casserole in an airtight container or wrap the casserole dish with plastic wrap. Allow the casserole to come to room temperature before placing it in the fridge. The casserole will keep for up to 3 days.

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If you try this recipe and love it, I would love it if you would come back and give it 5 stars!