3 January, 2022
Pork Belly Sharp Cheddar Broccoli Bake
Posted in : American, Brunch or Lunch, Pork on by : Cook Plate Fork Tags: Bacon, bake broccoli and cheese, broccoli and cheese, brunch, Casserole, cheese bake, Lunch, meat and cheese casserole, Pork belly, Side dish
Oven baked casserole that is deliciously yummy and the cheesiest smoked pork belly, white sharp cheddar cheese, broccoli, cream cheese and green onions.
This meal is a one dish meal that is easy to bring together all in under an hour.
We searched the internet and found most people making this dish used either velveeta, orange cheddar, or Swiss cheeses.
This recipe uses white sharp cheddar cheese.
Sharp Cheddar is an aged cheese, with a golden color and a piquant taste. Regular mild cheddar has a sweeter flavor.
We’re as the orange cheddar is a variety colored with Annatto seeds.
You like the taste of cooking meat with cheese – than you’ll enjoy this Teriyaki Cheesesteak Sandwich.
Sharp Cheddar The Go To Cheese
Cheddar tends to have a sharp, pungent flavour, often slightly earthy. The “sharpness” of cheddar is associated with the levels of bitter peptides in the cheese.
According to Cheese Pro Club, sharp cheddar is the go to cheese for many when they make a grilled cheese sandwich or a Macaroni and cheese dish.
Sharp Cheddar, inexpensive or not strikes just the right balance between meltability and flavor.
And that is what you want with a dish that is baked with cheese.
You often do get some pooling of fat when you add cheddar to the top of a dish.
If this happens just enjoy the flavor, or you could gently lie a paper towel over the top to soak it up.
Other cheese that would make this dish stand out in flavor could include, Asiago, Canadian Cheddar, or Manchego.
Enjoy reading more about the Top Nine Varieties Of Cheese’s Enjoyed By Food Lovers
Pork Belly Sharp Cheddar Broccoli Bake
8 thick slices pork belly bacon, smoked
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup flour
8 oz cream cheese, soft, room temperature
2 cups milk
1 tsp salt
1 tsp fresh ground black pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1 1/2 cup grated white sharp cheddar cheese
10 green onions , sliced
4 cups broccoli, cut into medium sized florets
Preheat oven to 350F.
Cook the bacon until crispy. Drain and then crumble. Set aside.
Steam the broccoli until almost tender. They should seem a little undercooked.
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Add the flour and stir until thoroughly mixed. Add in the cream cheese and stir until melted.
Add the milk and spices. Stir until well heated but do not bring to a boil as that might scald the milk.
Stir in 1 cup of the grated cheese and remove from the heat.
Dump the broccoli in a 13×9 baking dish. Pour the cheese mixture over the broccoli. (Optional to sprinkle some bacon pieces and sliced green onions).
Gently fold so that the broccoli is coated in the cheese mixture and the bacon and green onions are mixed throughout.
Evenly spread the broccoli in the baking sheet. Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese, bacon and green onions on top.
Bake for about 20 minutes or until bubbly and the cheese is melted.
You’ll also enjoy the baked dish without meat but with the addition of cauliflower – Broccoli & Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Casserole.
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