Veggie Casserole with Bacon

Plate of baked vegetable bacon casserole served.

Veggie casserole with bacon is creamy, cheesy, and filled with a mix of tender vegetables. Crispy bacon adds a smoky layer that makes every bite more satisfying. It’s an easy comfort dish that works as a side or a light main meal.

Course Main Dishes, Side Dish

Cuisine American, International

Keyword baking dish, breakfast casserole, broccoli, casserole, casserole dish, casserole recipes, cauliflower, cream of mushroom soup, ritz crackers, side dish, vegetable, vegetable casserole, veggie, veggie casserole, veggies

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 45

Servings Servings

Calories 529kcal

Author Zuzana Paar

Equipment

1 Saucepan
1 Wooden Spatula
1 Casserole dish

Ingredients

2 ½ Cups Broccoli florets
2 ½ Cups Cauliflower florets
3 Slices Bacon
2 Tablespoons Butter
1 Cup Cheddar shredded
½ Cup Whole Milk
1 Cup Crushed Crackers low carb if possible
2 Ounce Cream Cheese cubed
1 Clove Garlic minced
½ teaspoon Salt
¼ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
Pinch Cayenne
½ teaspoon Lemon Zest

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Chop broccoli and cauliflower into small, even florets. Blanch broccoli for 2 minutes and cauliflower for 2–3 minutes in salted boiling water, then drain and set aside while preheating oven to 375°Fahrenheit (190°Casserole).
Cut bacon into strips and cook in a skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, chop once cooled, and reserve about ½ tablespoon of bacon grease in the pan.
Add butter to the reserved bacon fat, melt over medium heat, then stir in garlic, lemon zest, cayenne, and salt until fragrant. Gradually whisk in milk and let it warm and slightly thicken.
Crush crackers into fine crumbs and mix with melted butter and smoked paprika, then set aside for the final topping.
Remove sauce from heat and stir in cream cheese and cheddar until smooth. Fold in broccoli, cauliflower, and chopped bacon until evenly coated.
Spoon mixture into a greased baking dish, top with cracker crumbs, cover with foil, and bake 20 minutes. Uncover and bake another 20–25 minutes until golden and bubbling.

Notes

Precook the Bacon for Maximum Flavor: Crisp up the bacon before adding it to the casserole to keep it from becoming soggy. It also helps release extra fat, which adds a rich, smoky flavor to the dish.
Use a Mix of Fresh and Frozen Veggies: Combine fresh vegetables for texture and frozen ones for convenience and balance. This gives you the best of both worlds in flavor and ease.
Shred Cheese Fresh for Better Melt: Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly and evenly than pre-packaged versions. It also gives your casserole a creamier, more delicious finish.
Let It Rest Before Serving: Allow the casserole to sit for 5–10 minutes after baking. This helps the layers set and makes slicing and serving much easier.

Nutrition