Description
Creamy bacon and brussels sprouts gratin delivers comfort on a plate, blending crispy bacon with tender vegetables. Cheese-laden and rich, this dish promises a delightful journey through savory flavors you won’t soon forget.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 ½ lbs (680 g) Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Gruyere or mozzarella cheese (plus more for topping)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs or crushed pork rinds (optional topping)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 400F (200C) and position a rack in the center for even cooking.
- Brussels Sprouts Blanching: Submerge Brussels sprouts in rapidly boiling salted water, cooking until they reach a tender yet crisp consistency, approximately 4-5 minutes. Quickly drain and set aside.
- Bacon Rendering: In a spacious skillet, transform bacon into crispy morsels over medium heat. Extract the bacon with a slotted utensil, reserving approximately one tablespoon of rendered fat for subsequent cooking.
- Flavor Building: Introduce butter and minced garlic to the bacon-seasoned skillet, sautéing until aromatic and golden, releasing their rich essence.
- Sauce Creation: Incorporate cream, Parmesan, Gruyere, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes into the skillet. Gently simmer, stirring continuously until the cheeses melt into a velvety, harmonious sauce.
- Combining Components: Fold the blanched Brussels sprouts and crisp bacon into the creamy sauce, ensuring complete coverage. Transfer the mixture to a generously greased baking dish.
- Finishing Touches: Generously sprinkle additional shredded cheese and breadcrumbs across the surface for added texture and visual appeal.
- Baking Process: Slide the gratin into the preheated oven, baking uncovered for 15-20 minutes until the top becomes golden and the edges bubble enticingly. For an extra crisp finish, activate the broiler for 2-3 minutes.
- Serving: Allow the gratin to rest briefly, permitting the flavors to settle before presenting this luxurious side dish.
Notes
- Boil Brussels sprouts for exactly 45 minutes to achieve perfect tenderness without becoming mushy or losing nutritional value.
- Reserve precisely 1 tablespoon of bacon fat for optimal flavor infusion without making the dish overly greasy.
- Use low heat and constant stirring when combining cheeses to create a smooth, creamy sauce without separation or burning.
- Optional broiling for 2-3 minutes guarantees a golden, crunchy top layer that adds delightful texture contrast to the creamy base.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg