Description
A comforting and flavorful Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Casserole with crispy bacon and toasted pine nuts, baked to golden perfection with a creamy parmesan sauce. This dish combines tender sautéed Brussels sprouts with a rich, cheesy cream sauce topped with melted mozzarella, making it an irresistible side or main for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts, cut in half
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Meats
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
Dairy
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Nuts & Spices
- â…“ cup toasted pine nuts
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 2 to 3-quart baking dish with pan spray to prevent sticking during baking.
- Toast Pine Nuts: Place â…“ cup of pine nuts into a large skillet over medium heat. Stir frequently, about every 30 seconds, until they are lightly toasted and fragrant. Remove from skillet and set aside to cool.
- Cook Bacon: In the same skillet, add the diced bacon over medium heat. Cook until crisp, then transfer the bacon to a small bowl lined with paper towels to drain excess fat. Retain 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet.
- Sauté Brussels Sprouts: Add the halved Brussels sprouts to the bacon fat in the skillet. Sauté for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sprouts are tender and slightly browned.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream, parmesan cheese, lemon zest, cooked bacon, toasted pine nuts, black pepper, and salt. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes to thicken the sauce and blend the flavors.
- Assemble and Bake: Transfer the creamy Brussels sprout mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly on top. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until the casserole is bubbling and the cheese is golden brown.
Notes
- Make sure to not burn the pine nuts while toasting; remove them as soon as they are fragrant.
- Retain bacon fat for sautéing Brussels sprouts to add extra flavor.
- Baking the casserole gives a nice golden crust, but you can broil for 1-2 minutes at the end if you like extra crispy cheese.
- Adjust salt according to the saltiness of the bacon and cheese used.
- Use fresh Brussels sprouts for best texture and flavor.
