Tender and juicy broccoli with a delectable bacon cheesy alfredo sauce is one Keto side dish that will leave your whole family asking for more.
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Ultra-cheesy alfredo sauce is the star attraction in this easy to make low carb broccoli casserole. After one taste you'll want to add this one to your holiday line up!
But, why wait? This bacon broccoli casserole is ready in just minutes making it the perfect Keto side dish for any night of the week.
One of the many beautiful things I found about Keto is that I get to enjoy delicious foods like cheese and bacon.
And while I have always loved broccoli, I think we can all agree that from time to time it can be quite boring. That's where this cheesy bacon alfredo sauce steps in and transforms ordinary steamed broccoli into a casserole loaded with healthy fat and a ton of mouth-watering flavor.
If you have a picky eater, the creamy alfredo sauce in Bacon Broccoli Alfredo may just win them over!
What’s in Keto Broccoli Bacon Alfredo
- Broccoli
- Uncured bacon
- Mozzarella cheese
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese
- Garlic
- Bacon grease
- Butter
- Smoked paprika
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
How to Make Keto Broccoli Bacon Alfredo
Preheat oven to 425F.
Boil the broccoli florets in salted water for a few minutes or until just fork tender and slightly undercooked. Alternatively, you can steam it in the microwave.
In the meantime, add the bacon into a skillet and fry until crisp, then remove the bacon and leave the bacon grease in the pan.
Add in the butter and garlic and sauté for about 20 seconds, careful not to brown it. Mix in the heavy cream, parmesan cheese and smoked paprika.
Simmer for 2 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
Add in the cooked broccoli and toss gently to coat.
Transfer the mixture to an 8 x 8 casserole dish that’s been sprayed with nonstick spray. Top with the shredded mozzarella cheese and bacon then bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Allow it to cool slightly before serving.
Can You Freeze Broccoli Alfredo?
The short answer is yes. But, the long answer is it can be a little tricky. Because of the amount of fat to other liquid in most all cream sauces can cause the sauce to split once cooled, you'll need to do a couple of things to ensure it reheats well.
The good news is, it taste great reheated and can be a time saver when you're looking for a quick meal to reheat.
The first thing you'll want to do it make sure you freeze left over Broccoli Alfredo while it's still fresh. When the sauce is fresh, it tends to be less likely to split. Store leftovers in an air tight container or freezer bag immediately after it cools. It will keep in the freezer for up to several months.
When you get ready to reheat it, thaw it over night in the fridge. Reheat on low heat whisking often to reincorporate the ingredients. If it looks separated, don't worry. Just keep whisking as it warms and it will come back together trying not to break up the broccoli too much as you go.
Can I Make Broccoli Casserole in Advance
Sure! There are several ways to do this. Because it freezes well, you can always make it ahead and freeze it using the information above.
But, if you are making this for a meal in advance, consider undercooking the broccoli just slightly as to what is called for in the recipe to make up for the extra cooking time when reheating.
Another way to make this dish in advance is to prep ahead of time. You can pre-cook the bacon and have your broccoli steamed and saved. Then all you have to do is assemble the remaining ingredients when you're ready to cook it.
Is Alfredo Sauce Keto?
Homemade alfredo sauce is definitely Keto. Cheese and cream make a wonderful quick and easy Keto friendly sauce.
You'll want to watch out for store bought Alfredo. Most store bought brands include preservatives or other ingredients to prevent it from spoiling or separating giving it a longer shelf life. Those preservatives usually have hidden carbs you'll want to avoid if on Keto or a low carb diet.
Substitutions for Broccoli Bacon Alfredo
- You can top Broccoli Bacon Alfredo with any kind of cheese you prefer. Provolone is a great melting cheese substitute for mozzarella, but any ooey gooey melting cheese will work.
- You can make this same recipe using asparagus or steam brussels sprouts if you'd like to change things up a little.
- Wanting something a little more hearty? You can add cooked shredded chicken or shrimp to this Keto broccoli casserole to make it an entire meal.
- I used bacon in this recipe but if you prefer prosciutto, it will work well also. You may need to add a little extra oil to make the sauce as prosciutto is leaner than most bacon. If you have leftover bacon grease, you can use it for the sauce.
- If you want to use frozen broccoli, you can. Just be sure to thaw, then drain all the excess liquid from the broccoli before adding to the casserole. You can also use pre-cut florets from the produce department for a bit of a time saver.
What are the Net Carbs in Broccoli?
Many people that follow Keto or a low carb diet want to know the amount of carbs in broccoli. One great thing about broccoli is there are only 4 net grams of carbohydrates in two stalks.
Because it is a cruciferous vegetable, the glycemic effect, after eating broccoli, is very low. This means it doesn't raise your blood sugar like starchy vegetables. And since most of the carbohydrates found in broccoli come from fiber, that makes this an excellent, healthy choice to add to your plate.
More Keto Broccoli Recipes
- Broccoli Cheddar Cheese Soup
- Lime Cilantro Broccoli Slaw
- Easy Broccoli Salad with Bacon
- Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
More Keto Side Dishes
- Roasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Prosciutto
- Jalapeño Popper Cauliflower "Mac" and Cheese
- Bacon Wrapped Green Beans
- Easy Creamed Spinach
- Roasted Garlic & Rosemary Mashed Cauliflower
- Green Beans Almondine
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Keto Broccoli Bacon Alfredo
INGREDIENTS
- 4 cups broccoli, cut into florets
- 5 slices uncured bacon, chopped
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 teaspoons bacon grease
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 425F.
- Boil the broccoli florets in salted water for a few minutes or until just fork tender and slightly undercooked. Alternatively, you can steam it in the microwave.
- In the meantime, add the bacon into a skillet and fry until crisp, the remove the bacon and leave the bacon grease in the pan. Add in the butter and garlic, then sauté for about 20 seconds, careful not to brown it. Mix in the heavy cream, parmesan cheese and smoked paprika.
- Simmer for 2 minutes or until the sauce has thickened, then add in the cooked broccoli and toss to coat.
- Transfer the mixture to an 8 x 8 casserole dish that’s been sprayed with nonstick spray. Top with the shredded mozzarella cheese and bacon then bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Allow it to cool slightly before serving.
