Alright folks, gather ’round! Today, I’m spillin’ the beans on my latest kitchen adventure: a Broccoli and Bacon Casserole. Sounds simple, right? Well, let me tell you, it was a journey, but a delicious one at that.
First things first, I hit the grocery store. Grabbed some fresh broccoli – had to make sure it was nice and green, none of that yellowing stuff. Then came the bacon. Now, I’m a sucker for thick-cut bacon, so I snagged a pack of that. Don’t skimp on the good stuff!
Back home, I started by chopping up the bacon and tossing it in a pan. Cooked it until it was crispy, just the way I like it. Once it was done, I drained off most of the grease – gotta watch the arteries, you know? But I left a little bit in the pan for extra flavor.
Next up, the broccoli. I chopped it into bite-sized florets and steamed it until it was tender-crisp. Didn’t want it mushy, just a little bit of bite. While the broccoli was steaming, I started on the cheese sauce. This is where things got interesting.
I melted some butter in a saucepan, then whisked in some flour to make a roux. Cooked it for a minute or two, until it was nice and golden. Then I slowly poured in some milk, whisking constantly to avoid any lumps. Added a pinch of salt, pepper, and a dash of garlic powder for good measure.
Once the sauce was thickened, I stirred in a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese. I’m talkin’ a lot of cheese here, folks. Gotta make it cheesy and delicious. I also threw in a little bit of Parmesan for extra flavor. Stirred it all together until the cheese was melted and smooth.
Now came the assembly. I grabbed a casserole dish and sprayed it with some non-stick cooking spray. Then I layered in the steamed broccoli, crispy bacon, and poured the cheese sauce over the top. Made sure everything was evenly coated.
To top it all off, I sprinkled some breadcrumbs over the casserole. Just regular breadcrumbs, nothing fancy. Gave it a little extra texture and crunch.
Finally, I popped the casserole into the oven, which I had preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Baked it for about 20-25 minutes, until it was bubbly and golden brown on top.
And there you have it: Broccoli and Bacon Casserole!
I let it cool for a few minutes before digging in. Let me tell you, it was heavenly. The broccoli was tender, the bacon was crispy, and the cheese sauce was creamy and flavorful. It was the perfect comfort food.
Here’s a quick rundown of what I used:
- Fresh Broccoli
- Thick-Cut Bacon
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Cheddar Cheese
- Parmesan Cheese
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Breadcrumbs
Would I make it again? Absolutely! It was a bit of work, but totally worth it. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak some veggies into your diet, especially if you’re a bacon lover like me.
So, give it a try, folks! You won’t be disappointed. And let me know in the comments if you have any tips or tricks for making the perfect Broccoli and Bacon Casserole. I’m always looking for ways to improve my cooking game!
Until next time, happy cooking!
