Description
Bright, creamy, and full of savory bacon flavor, this dish turns simple broccoli into a rich, comforting side dish, perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday plates.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound broccoli florets
- 4 slices bacon
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and set it aside on a paper towel to drain, keeping the bacon fat in the skillet for flavor.
- If the skillet looks very dry, add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the broccoli florets and sauté over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, until tender and bright green with slight browning.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant, then pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and the sauce becomes creamy. Season with salt and pepper, then chop the bacon and stir it back into the creamy broccoli.
Notes
Serve warm as a flavorful side with roasted meats or over rice/pasta. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently to maintain the sauce’s consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 630mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 60mg