Brussels Sprout Casserole
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By Alyssa Rivers
on Oct 24, 2023, Updated Aug 19, 2024 |
Brussels sprout casserole is cheesy and easy to make! It’s perfect for family dinners or holiday meals! Tender, crisp Brussels sprouts are combined with pine nuts, bacon, and cheese and baked until tender golden brown. This side dish pairs with a variety of mains and is sure to be a hit!
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simplicity: Making casseroles is incredibly easy—just combine all your ingredients in one dish and bake until perfection!
- Holiday Side Dish: This is perfect for any family gathering or holiday meal.
- Flavorful Vegetables: This is a delicious way to get your veggies in! Bacon and cheese make everything better, and Brussels sprouts are no exception!
Brussels Sprout Casserole Recipe
If you don’t think you like Brussels sprouts, think again! I’m about to change your mind with this irresistible creamy, cheesy Brussels sprout casserole! Bacon and Brussels sprouts are a match made in heaven, like in these perfect Brussels sprouts with bacon or these Roasted Maple Brussel Sprouts with Bacon.
Ingredients Needed
If you are looking for a warm and cozy side dish that the entire family will enjoy, this is it. Even if you don’t like Brussels sprouts, you should give this recipe a chance. As an added plus, it’s made with just a handful of simple ingredients. Note: exact measurements are in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Pine Nuts: Add a lovely crunch! Feel free to omit nuts if you’re not a fan.
- Brussels Sprouts: Cut off the ends and remove any broken or damaged outer leaves. Cut each sprout in half lengthwise so it cooks more evenly.
- Bacon: Use six slices of high-quality, thick-cut bacon.
- Heavy Cream: Half and half will work, but for a super rich, creamy sauce, I recommend heavy whipping cream.
- Parmesan Cheese: For the best flavor, try grating your own!
- Lemon Zest: Brightens the dish.
- Ground Black Pepper: This won’t give any heat but the perfect amount of savory flavor.
- Mozzarella Cheese: For extra flavorful, smooth mozzarella, skip the pre-shredded bags of cheese and grate your own instead.
- Salt: Brings all of the delicious flavors in your Brussels sprout casserole together.
Picking the Best Brussels Sprouts
When purchasing fresh Brussels sprouts, look for tightly packed sprouts with few loose leaves. Choose firm dark green sprouts. Avoid any that are yellow, shriveled, mushy, or have black spots. Smaller sprouts tend to be sweeter and are best for quicker cooking times.
How to Make Brussels Sprouts Casserole
These cheesy Brussels sprouts require only a few easy steps, and voila, a crowd-pleasing side dish is ready to devour! You are going to love all of its wonderful flavors and textures!
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 2-3 quart baking dish with pan spray.
- Toast the Pine Nuts: Add the pine nuts to a large skillet and heat over medium. Stir the pine nuts every 30 seconds or so to prevent them from burning. Once they become lightly toasted and fragrant, remove them from the pan to cool.
- Cook Bacon: Add the bacon to the skillet and heat over medium heat until crisp. Remove to a small bowl lined with a paper towel to drain. Discard all but 2 tablespoons of bacon fat.
- Sauté Brussels Sprouts: Add the brussels sprouts to the bacon fat in the skillet and sauté for about 10 minutes, until they are browning and tender.
- Make the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the cream, parmesan, lemon zest, crisp bacon, toasted pine nuts, ground pepper, and salt to taste. Simmer for 5-10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Bake: Transfer into the prepared baking dish and top with mozzarella. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until bubbling and the cheese is browned.
Tips and Variations
Here are some simple tips and ways to make this Brussels sprout casserole recipe your own! This is a family favorite side dish, and I know your family will love it too!
- One-Pan Recipe: For fewer dishes, use an oven-safe skillet! Top with cheese and bake as directed.
- Add More Lemon: The lemon in this dish adds a nice brightness against the heaviness of the bacon, cream, and cheese. If you really love lemons, I recommend increasing the amount to 2 teaspoons.
- Different Cheese Option: Instead of parmesan and mozzarella, you may substitute for other flavorful, melty cheeses such as sharp white cheddar or gruyere.
- Make It Vegetarian: If you would like to make this dish vegetarian, simply omit the bacon and use 2 tablespoons of olive oil to sauté the Brussels sprouts instead of bacon fat.
Storing Leftover Brussels Sprout Casserole
- In the Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- To Reheat: Reheat in a 350-degree Fahrenheit oven for 15-20 minutes, until heated through.
- Make ahead! Follow the steps until you transfer it into the baking dish. Let it cool, cover with plastic wrap or foil, and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When ready to cook it, remove the cover and bake without cheese for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Top with mozzarella and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until bubbling and the cheese is browned.
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Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 2-3 quart baking dish with pan spray.
Add the pine nuts to a large skillet and heat over medium. Stir the pine nuts around every 30 seconds or so to prevent them from burning. Once they become lightly toasted and fragrant, remove them from the pan to cool.
Add the bacon to the skillet and heat over medium heat until crisp. Remove to a small bowl lined with a paper towel to drain. Discard all but 2 tablespoons of bacon fat.
Add the brussel sprouts to the bacon fat in the skillet and sauté for about 10 minutes, until they are browning and tender.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the cream, parmesan, lemon zest, crisp bacon, toasted pine nuts, ground pepper, and salt to taste. Simmer for 5-10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Transfer into the prepared baking dish and top with mozzarella. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until bubbling and the cheese is browned.
Serving: 1servingCalories: 557kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 20gFat: 50gSaturated Fat: 24gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0.05gCholesterol: 117mgSodium: 658mgPotassium: 499mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1718IUVitamin C: 65mgCalcium: 367mgIron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.