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A baked broccoli and cauliflower casserole with a golden breadcrumb topping, served in a metal baking dish with a wooden spoon lifting a creamy portion.

Cheesy Broccoli and Cauliflower Casserole with Crispy Bacon

There’s something about a bubbling casserole straight out of the oven that just feels like home. This Cheesy Broccoli and Cauliflower Casserole brings that warm, Southern comfort right to your table.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Bake Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 456 kcal

Equipment

  • Cutting board
  • Sharp Knife
  • Large pot or saucepan
  • Slotted spoon
  • Skillet
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula
  • Grater
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Baking dish
  • Oven mitts

Ingredients
  

  • 5 cups bite-sized broccoli pieces
  • 5 cups cauliflower florets
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 4 tablespoons butter divided
  • 2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups crushed crackers
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened and cubed
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly butter a 9x13-inch baking dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook for 2 minutes. Add the cauliflower and cook for another 2–3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan. Pour the melted butter over the crushed crackers in a bowl. Add the smoked paprika and stir until well combined. Set aside.
  • Place a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook the bacon until crispy, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Chop into small pieces. Reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings in the pot.
  • Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the pot with the bacon drippings. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the sea salt, lemon zest, and cayenne pepper. Whisk everything together.
  • Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly. Let it simmer over medium heat for about 3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
  • Take the pot off the heat. Add the cream cheese and stir until smooth. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted.
  • Add the drained broccoli and cauliflower to the pot. Fold in the chopped bacon. Stir everything gently until the veggies are well coated with the cheese sauce. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  • Sprinkle the cracker topping evenly over the casserole. Cover the dish with foil. Bake for 20 minutes.
  • Remove the foil and continue baking for another 20–25 minutes, until the top is golden and the casserole is bubbling. Let it rest for 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 456kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 16gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 79mgSodium: 925mgPotassium: 527mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1138IUVitamin C: 80mgCalcium: 319mgIron: 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 broccoli and cauliflower, Cheesy broccoli casserole, crispy bacon
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