Parmesan Brussels Sprouts
Crisp, tender, and perfectly spiced, the ideal side for any meal.
Table of Contents
Historically Brussels sprouts have gotten a bad rap. You heard kids react in disgust to the mere mention of Brussels sprouts in cartoons and television shows while you were growing up. This reaction to Brussels sprouts, however, was a complete misrepresentation. I understand the confusion though, as a kid I hated Brussels sprouts, I never had them prepared properly, they were always tough and hard to bite through. I remember thinking that was the only way to eat them. Even looking at Brussels sprouts seemed unappealing. My grandmother would steam whole Brussels sprouts, I don’t recommend it, they wouldn’t cook all the way through, but she didn’t know them any other way. Lucky for me as I grew up, I would not let that stop me from trying again. Trying Brussels sprouts whenever I could because I knew that despite everything that made me avoid them as a kid, they were good for me, so I had to find a way to enjoy them.
When prepared properly Brussels sprouts break down to be tender and the outer leaves will crisp nicely when cooked. Brussels sprouts are also incredibly easy to season, as they complement many spices. When paired with the saltiness of Parmesan cheese you get a fantastic side dish that the whole family will love and will help Brussels sprouts clear their name of all that bad press. I learned early on you had to halve your Brussels sprouts to cook them thoroughly and get a nice tender center. When I found this recipe for Parmesan Brussels Sprouts I had found the perfect way to prepare my Brussels sprouts. Tender, crisp, full of all the delicious flavors of salt, pepper, and garlic, with a crispy Parmesan coating, Parmesan Brussels sprouts are the perfect side for any dish.
Are Parmesan Brussels Sprouts Healthy?
Brussels sprouts are a healthy and nutritious vegetable. High in vitamins K and C, Brussels sprouts are also high in fiber and help support your digestive system, not to mention they are delicious. Parmesan Brussels sprouts are a perfect vegetarian side that can be made vegan by substituting your Parmesan cheese with a dairy-free alternative. I recommend using oat or tapioca-based cheese alternatives as these variations have proven to have a closer flavor to natural cheese.
Is parmesan cheese the only option?
Parmesan cheese is not the only option to use for this recipe, but there are reasons it calls for Parmesan. Parmesan cheese is aged longer than most cheeses and is rich in flavor, dry, and granular in texture, this makes it crisp when baked rather than just melting. Parmesan cheese has a natural saltiness that sweetens when cooked. Despite all of that you may still want to substitute your cheese and I’d recommend pecorino, a cheese like Parmesan but made from sheep’s milk and with a sharper flavor. I also recommend Gruyère as it has the salty and sweet blend of Parmesan despite it being a hard Swiss cheese, you will often see Gruyère used with asparagus due to its flavor profile.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep
Preheat your oven and get your baking sheet ready.
Trim
Clean and halve the Brussels sprouts to ensure they cook evenly.
Season
Toss the sprouts with all the flavorful ingredients.
Roast
Get those sprouts in the oven until they’re perfectly roasted.
Serve
Add a final touch with red pepper flakes and serve them up warm.
Enjoy
Don’t wait, dig in and DEVOUR your delicious creation!
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
How Long can I store my Parmesan Brussels Sprouts?
It’s recommended to eat the Parmesan Brussels sprouts right away while they are still warm. It’s possible you won’t be able to finish them all so, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. When you are ready to enjoy your leftovers put them into an oven safe dish and bake at 350 degrees until warm throughout.
The secret to perfectly crisping your Brussels sprouts.
The key to perfectly crisp Brussels sprouts comes from the even heat of the oven. Once you have preheated your oven let it sit at cooking temperature for an additional ten minutes to ensure the oven is evenly warm.
Best way to garnish for service.
As it says in the recipe you can add red pepper flakes to the Parmesan Brussels sprouts. You can also add a squeeze of lemon, the acidity of the lemon will heighten the flavor of the garlic and pepper.
Serving Suggestions
When it comes to these Parmesan Brussels sprouts, they are the perfect side dish for any meal. They blend beautifully with chicken, steak, or pork chops. They are a wonderful side with Italian, Asian, or American cuisine. So enjoy these Parmesan Brussels sprouts with your favorite dish and a glass of dry red wine.
Parmesan Brussels Sprouts
Crisp, tender, and perfectly spiced, the ideal side for any meal.
Servings 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Remove the outer leaves from the Brussels sprouts, trim the ends, and slice each sprout in half for even cooking.
- In a large bowl, combine the Brussels sprouts with olive oil, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, tossing to ensure each sprout is well coated.
- Spread the seasoned Brussels sprouts onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, and roast in the oven until they’re beautifully golden and crispy, about 20-25 minutes. Shake the pan occasionally to roast them evenly.
- Once done, place the roasted Brussels sprouts in a serving dish, and if you like a bit of heat, sprinkle with red pepper flakes. Serve warm and enjoy!
- DEVOUR!
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