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A plate of baked broccoli and cauliflower casserole sits on a blue and white plate with a fork, on a rustic blue table beside salt, pepper, and a napkin.

Cheesy Broccoli & Cauliflower Casserole with Crispy Bacon

Chef Jenn
Cheesy Broccoli & Cauliflower Casserole with Crispy Bacon is a rich and satisfying side dish with tender veggies, smoky bacon, and a creamy cheese sauce—all topped with a buttery cracker crust. Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or comforting family dinners.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 456 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 5 cups broccoli florets
  • 5 cups cauliflower florets
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cups mild cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups crackers crushed
  • 4 ounces cream cheese softened and cut into cubes
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt plus extra if needed
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika or 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest freshly grated

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F and butter a 9x13-inch baking dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch the broccoli for 2 minutes, then add the cauliflower and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Drain well.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and mix with the crushed crackers and smoked paprika. Set aside.
  • Cook the bacon in a Dutch oven over medium heat until crispy, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and chop. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings.
  • Add the remaining butter to the pot. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Whisk in the salt, lemon zest, and cayenne. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly. Simmer for 3 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat and whisk in the cream cheese until smooth. Stir in the cheddar until melted. Fold in the broccoli, cauliflower, and bacon.
  • Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Top with the cracker mixture. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for 20 to 25 minutes more until bubbly and golden.
  • Let cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

Chef Jenn’s Tips

  • Barely blanch the veggies—they’ll finish cooking in the oven.
  • Use freshly grated cheese for the smoothest sauce.
  • Add a pinch of nutmeg to the cheese sauce for extra depth.
  • Make this casserole a day ahead and bake before serving.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 456kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 16gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 79mgSodium: 925mgPotassium: 532mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1124IUVitamin C: 81mgCalcium: 320mgIron: 2mg

A Note on Nutritional Information

Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.

Keyword bacon broccoli bake, Broccoli casserole, cheesy cauliflower bake, holiday casserole, vegetable side dish
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