If you’re craving an irresistibly comforting veggie side that could honestly outshine any main course, make room on your table for Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli. We’re taking crisp-tender broccoli, salty bacon, and a silky garlic-Parmesan sauce, topping it all with melty mozzarella, and baking until bubbly and golden. It’s luscious, cozy, and guaranteed to convert even the most devoted broccoli skeptics into raving fans!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultra Creamy Comfort: Every bite is blanketed in a luscious garlic-Parmesan sauce that feels diner indulgent—without the fuss.
- Crispy, Savory Bacon: That irresistible, salty bacon brings bold flavor and the perfect crunchy contrast to the tender broccoli.
- Easy Enough for Busy Nights: From stovetop to oven in a single skillet, with just a handful of staple ingredients you’re likely to have on hand.
- Crowd-Pleasing Side (or Main!): This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli goes with almost anything, but it’s so good it often steals the spotlight.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t believe how a short list of classic ingredients comes together for something seriously special. Each one brings flavor, richness, or that magical meltiness that makes this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli absolutely irresistible.
- Bacon: Adds smokiness and crunch; cooking it first means you get to use flavorful bacon drippings for sautéing.
- Unsalted butter: For extra richness and to help sauté the broccoli to golden perfection.
- Broccoli florets: The star of the show—choose fresh, bright green florets for the best flavor and color.
- Salt and fresh cracked pepper: Essential for bringing all the flavors together.
- Paprika: Adds a subtle warmth and lovely color accented in every bite.
- Fresh garlic: There’s nothing like the aroma and punch of real garlic (five cloves is just right here!).
- Heavy whipping cream: The base of your dreamy, creamy sauce—don’t substitute with milk for this one!
- Cream cheese: It melts in for ultra silkiness and helps thicken the sauce naturally.
- Chicken or vegetable stock: Just a splash deepens the flavor and balances richness.
- Fresh grated parmesan cheese: Melts into the sauce, giving sharp, salty-cheesy goodness.
- Grated mozzarella: Melts on top for that beautiful golden, bubbly finish.
Variations
Don’t be afraid to make this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli your own! There are so many ways to adapt the recipe based on what you have on hand, your taste buds, or any dietary needs—feel free to get creative in your kitchen.
- Make it vegetarian: Skip the bacon and use a knob of butter or a touch of olive oil for sautéing the broccoli (and swap in veggie stock, of course).
- Add a spicy kick: Sprinkle in a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes along with the garlic for a gentle heat.
- Broccoli swaps: This creamy sauce works wonders with cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, or even a medley of colorful veggies.
- Cheesy upgrades: Mix in some shredded fontina or gruyere for an even richer, more complex cheese pull.
How to Make Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli
Step 1: Prep and Preheat
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C), so it’s hot and ready when you need it. Meanwhile, gather all your ingredients and chop the bacon into strips. Having everything prepped ahead will make the cooking process feel blissfully easy!
Step 2: Crisp the Bacon
Heat a large oven-safe skillet (cast iron is perfect) over medium heat. Fry the bacon strips until crispy and golden, then use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels. Don’t dump the pan! The bacon drippings are flavor gold.
Step 3: Sauté the Broccoli
Pour off most of the bacon fat from the skillet, leaving just about one tablespoon for depth. Melt in the butter, then add the broccoli florets, seasoning with salt, pepper, and paprika. Sauté while scraping up those gorgeous browned bits—the broccoli will become vibrant and just-tender after 6 minutes or so.
Step 4: Make the Creamy Sauce
Add minced garlic to the skillet and stir for a minute, letting the aroma bloom. Pour in the cream, dot with cream cheese, splash in the stock, and shower in half the parmesan and mozzarella. Stir gently until the sauce is smooth, creamy, and the broccoli is infused with flavor. This is the heart of what makes Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli so utterly craveable!
Step 5: Add Bacon and Top with Cheese
Return the crispy bacon to the skillet, giving everything a good toss so every floret gets a bit of everything. Scatter the remaining parmesan and mozzarella over the top. It’s ready for the oven!
Step 6: Bake Until Bubbly
Bake the skillet in your hot oven for about 15 minutes, or until the whole dish is bubbling and golden. For an extra crisp-cheese top, give it 1-2 minutes under the broiler at the end—just keep an eye so it doesn’t over-brown.
Step 7: Finish and Serve
Once your Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli is gloriously melty, remove it from the oven. Garnish with a flurry of cracked pepper and fresh parsley. Serve straight from the skillet and prepare to scoop up applause!
Pro Tips for Making Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli
- Skillet Selection: Use a heavy oven-safe skillet (like cast iron), so you can go seamlessly from stovetop to oven without extra dishes!
- Don’t Overcook Broccoli: Start with just-tender broccoli on the stove—remember, it finishes getting perfectly soft and flavorful in the oven.
- Cheese Matters: For maximum meltiness, freshly grate your cheeses—store-bought pre-grated varieties often have anti-caking agents that prevent great melt.
- Finish Under the Broiler: A 2-minute blast under the broiler gives you that gorgeous, bubbling golden cheese topping everyone loves.
How to Serve Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley adds a burst of green and contrast to this rich side, but you could also use chives, basil, or even a dusting of lemon zest for brightness. A little extra cracked black pepper never hurts, either!
Side Dishes
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli plays beautifully with roasted chicken, steak, or your favorite holiday roasts. Want it as a vegetarian main? Serve with buttered noodles, risotto, or a thick slice of toasted sourdough to soak up every drop of creamy sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve right in the skillet for a homey, rustic feel, or transfer to a pretty baking dish and scatter with the suggested garnishes for a dinner party touch. For brunch, try turning leftovers into a frittata, or spoon the broccoli over baked potatoes for a decadent twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let any leftover Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli cool to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container. Stored properly in the fridge, it’ll stay delicious for up to 3 days.
Freezing
While it’s possible to freeze portions in airtight containers for up to a month, keep in mind the sauce might separate a bit after thawing. For best results, freeze in individual servings and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Gently reheat leftovers in a covered skillet or in the oven at 325°F until warmed through. If the sauce needs a lift, stir in a splash of cream or stock. Microwave works in a pinch, but low and slow helps keep the cheese swoon-worthy and smooth.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen broccoli for Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli?
Absolutely! Simply thaw and pat the broccoli dry before cooking, to avoid extra water in the sauce. You may need to reduce stovetop sautéing time, since frozen broccoli is already slightly cooked.
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What can I use instead of cream cheese?
If you don’t have cream cheese, mascarpone or a splash of sour cream can offer similar silkiness. Or, just use a bit more heavy cream and simmer a touch longer to thicken the sauce.
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Is Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli gluten-free?
Yes, as written this recipe is naturally gluten-free. If you’re adding breadcrumbs or using pre-grated cheese, double check the labels for hidden gluten.
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Can I make this ahead for entertaining?
Definitely! Assemble everything up to the final cheese topping, then cover and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, bring it to room temperature and pop it in the oven as directed—expect rave reviews!
Final Thoughts
If you adore comfort food with a serious wow factor, you must give this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli a try. It’s a guaranteed way to make vegetables the favorite part of your meal—and something tells me it’ll quickly become a staple on your family table, too. Enjoy every cheesy, luscious forkful!
Print
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Stovetop
Description
Indulge in the creamy, garlicky goodness of this delicious Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli with crispy bacon. It’s a perfect side dish that will elevate any meal!
Ingredients
Bacon:
- 5oz (150g) bacon, cut into strips
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 pounds (1kg) broccoli florets
- 1/2 teaspoon salt and fresh cracked pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup (180ml) heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese
- 1/4 cup (60ml) chicken or vegetable stock
- 1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup grated mozzarella
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Fry Bacon: Fry the bacon in a large oven-safe skillet until crispy. Remove and set aside.
- Cook Broccoli: In the same skillet, sauté broccoli in butter, season with salt, pepper, and cook for 6 minutes.
- Add Ingredients: Stir in garlic, cream, cream cheese, stock, half of the cheeses, and paprika. Simmer until tender.
- Combine and Bake: Mix in bacon, top with remaining cheeses, and bake for 15 minutes until bubbly.
- Final Touches: Broil for 2 minutes, then garnish with parsley before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
