Cheesy Bacon Broccoli Bake
As far as broccoli bake recipes go, this one is a banger. Packed with flavour and so easy to make, this cheesy broccoli bake is the perfect side dish for any cozy meal. The best part, it’s all done in one pan and it’s on the table in 35 minutes. Make this recipe for Christmas, Thanksgiving or a delicious family meal side dish any night of the week.
Cheesy Bacon Broccoli Bake
Cheesy Bacon Broccoli Bake
Cheesy Bacon Broccoli Bake
We’re not making a roux (*fist pumps) like your standard cauliflower cheese would call for, and of course no shade on people who like a good roux with their Brassicaceae bakes, but I prefer something a little more straightforward, hacky even. So we’re just using sour cream and parmesan cheese in the sauce, and spoiler, it’s a banger.
As I sit here, shamelessly eating it right out of the pan as I write this, I want to talk about the flavours, they are so dang good. Starting with the crispy bacon - the key is getting good caramelisation, then garlic (obviously), chicken stock adds even more flavour, sour cream instead of regular heavy cream gives a sophisticated tang, and then there’s the three cheeses, need I say more? What’s so great about this dish though is that it’s still about the broccoli. As much as these ingredients have the potential to overpower, they complement the broccoli which by the way has the all important firm bite through the stem - very important to the success of this dish is to not overcook the broccoli, which is why it comes together so quickly. It’s rich but not heavy, thanks to the absence of the aforementioned roux.
Make this cheesy broccoli casserole at family gatherings, holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas, or just as a cosy side to your weeknight dinner playbook.
Cooking tips for a cheesy broccoli bake
- Cut the broccoli into same sized florets, this ensures they cook evenly. It will feel like a lot when you add it to the pan, but they shrink down.
- You can change up the cheeses. I’d keep parmesan as your staple because it’s part of the sauce flavouring, but you can use just cheddar or just mozzarella, or even add in guryere.
- You can also back off the cheese topping if you want a more restrained cheesy bake.
- Stick to the cook times, this ensures the broccoli doesn’t overcook.
- Like a lot of creamy cheesy dishes, oil will begin to pool after it sits for a while, so plan for it to be ready when the main dish is ready to eat.
What to serve with cheesy broccoli bake
This recipe is amazing alongside main dishes like roast chicken, pulled pork and roast lamb.
More simple cozy side dishes
Store leftovers in the fridge for 1-2 days. To reheat, place in the oven in a dish covered with tin foil. Bake at 200c for 10-15 minutes until fully heated through.
Ingredients and substitutions
How to make it - step by step!
Preheat the oven to 220C. Slice the bacon into strips.
Cut the broccoli into florets and dice the garlic.
Put a pan on medium high heat, let it heat up for a minute or two, then add olive oil, bacon and cook for about 5 minutes until browned.
Add broccoli and garlic, fry for about a minute or two to lightly soften the garlic and coat the broccoli in the bacon fat.
Add the chicken stock, sour cream, salt and pepper, gently (somewhat awkwardly) stir through while the sour cream melts. Grate in the parmesan and stir through again. You can also wipe down the sides at this point for aesthetics (optional).
Top with mozzarella and cheddar. Bake for 8 minutes.
Set your oven to grill/broil on the highest heat, cook for another 7-10 minutes until golden brown on top.
Preheat the oven to 220C. Slice the bacon into strips.
Cut the broccoli into florets and dice the garlic.
Put a pan on medium high heat, let it heat up for a minute or two, then add olive oil, bacon and cook for about 5 minutes until browned.
Add broccoli and garlic, fry for about a minute or two to lightly soften the garlic and coat the broccoli in the bacon fat.
Add the chicken stock, sour cream, salt and pepper, gently (somewhat awkwardly) stir through while the sour cream melts. Grate in the parmesan and stir through again. You can also wipe down the sides at this point for aesthetics (optional).
Top with mozzarella and cheddar. Bake for 8 minutes.
Set your oven to grill/broil on the highest heat, cook for another 7-10 minutes until golden brown on top.
Watch the how to video
Watch the how to video
Cheesy Bacon Broccoli Bake
- 1.5 tbsp olive oil
- 150g streaky bacon
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 500g broccoli
- ½ cup chicken stock
- 300g sour cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 cup mozzarella
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- Preheat the oven to 220C. Slice the bacon into strips.
- Cut the broccoli into florets and dice the garlic.
- Put a pan on medium high heat, let it heat up for a minute or two, then add olive oil, bacon and cook for about 5 minutes until browned.
- Add broccoli and garlic, fry for about a minute or two to lightly soften the garlic and coat the broccoli in the bacon fat.
- Add the chicken stock, sour cream, salt and pepper, gently (somewhat awkwardly) stir through until the sour cream melts. Grate in the parmesan and stir through again. You can also wipe down the sides at this point for aesthetics (optional).
- Top with mozzarella and cheddar. Bake for 8 minutes.
- Set your oven to grill/broil on the highest heat, cook for another 7-10 minutes until golden brown on top.
