Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This dish is:
- Super creamy and cheesy
- Ready in 25 minutes
- One-pan meal
- Low-carb friendly
- Kid approved
- Packed with flavor
- Perfect as main or side
Plus bacon makes everything better. Always 😄
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 6 strips bacon (chopped)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 small onion (optional)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
Cream Sauce
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper
- Pinch paprika or thyme
Optional add-ins:
- Chicken pieces
- Mushrooms
- Potatoes
- Pasta
- Cauliflower
- Spinach
Cook the Bacon First
Start with bacon — because flavor.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
Add chopped bacon.
Cook until crispy and golden.
Remove and set aside.
Leave a little bacon fat in the pan (trust me, this adds amazing flavor).
This becomes the base for everything.
Smoky, savory, delicious.
Prepare the Broccoli
Fresh broccoli works best.
Cut into small bite-sized florets.
Blanch quickly in boiling water for 2–3 minutes or steam lightly.
You want bright green and slightly tender, not mushy.
If using frozen, thaw and drain very well.
Too much water = thin sauce.
Sauté the Aromatics
In the same skillet with bacon fat:
Add butter.
Add onion and garlic.
Cook until soft and fragrant.
This step builds deep flavor before adding the sauce.
Garlic + bacon = unbeatable combo.
Make the Creamy Cheese Sauce
Now for the magic part.
Sprinkle flour into the pan.
Stir and cook 1 minute to remove raw taste.
Slowly add milk and cream while whisking.
Let simmer until thick and smooth.
Add:
- cheddar
- parmesan
- salt
- pepper
- spices
Stir until cheese melts.
You’ll get a rich, velvety sauce that smells incredible.
At this point, it already tastes amazing.
Combine Everything Together
Add broccoli into the sauce.
Stir gently to coat.
Add crispy bacon back in.
Let simmer 3–4 minutes until everything is hot and creamy.
Sauce thickens and clings to every piece.
This is where the magic happens.
Everything becomes cheesy perfection.
Optional: Bake for Extra Golden Top
You can serve directly from the skillet…
OR
Transfer to baking dish and broil for 3–5 minutes.
This creates:
- golden top
- bubbly cheese
- slightly crispy edges
Highly recommended if you love cheesy crusts.
Looks restaurant-style too.
Texture Tips
For thicker sauce
Cook longer or add more cheese
For lighter version
Use only milk, skip cream
For extra cheesy
Add mozzarella
For crispier bacon
Cook separately and add at the end
For saucier dish
Add splash of milk
Small adjustments = perfect texture.
Flavor Variations
Want to customize? Easy.
Chicken Broccoli Cheddar
Add grilled chicken chunks
Loaded Version
Add potatoes and extra cheese
Mushroom Lover’s
Add sautéed mushrooms
Spicy Kick
Add chili flakes or jalapeños
Low-Carb Keto
Add cauliflower instead of potatoes
Pasta Style
Mix with cooked pasta for cheesy bake
This recipe adapts to whatever you have.
Make It a Full Meal
Serve with:
- Garlic bread
- Rice
- Pasta
- Mashed potatoes
- Salad
- Toast
Or enjoy alone as a hearty bowl.
It’s filling enough.
Storage Tips
Fridge: 3–4 days
Freezer: up to 2 months
Reheat gently with splash of milk.
Sauce thickens when cold — milk fixes it.
Avoid high heat or cheese may separate.
Meal Prep Friendly
This dish is perfect for meal prep.
Make big batch.
Divide into containers.
Reheat anytime.
Great for:
- lunches
- quick dinners
- busy days
Still tastes amazing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overcooking broccoli
Turns mushy
Too much flour
Sauce too thick
Low cheese
Less flavor
Skipping seasoning
Bland result
Not draining frozen broccoli
Watery sauce
Simple fixes make it perfect.
Final Thoughts
This creamy broccoli cheddar bacon skillet is pure comfort in every bite. Rich, cheesy, smoky, and satisfying — it turns simple vegetables into something crave-worthy.