Meet your new favorite veggie! Smashed Brussels Sprouts are a deliciously easy gluten-free side dish perfect for your Sunday dinner ideas or holiday meal plans. Topped with melted Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, even the kids will love ’em!
What are Brussels Sprouts?
Brussels sprouts are a vegetable made of the small bud of a type of cabbage. They’re basically like mini cabbages! It’s fair to say Brussels sprouts often get a bad reputation, but that’s only if you overcook them or don’t season them enough. If you know how to cook Brussel sprouts, they’re really delicious!
Brussels sprouts make a great alternative to cabbage in slaws, and they’re delicious with bacon, too. There are so many ways to prepare Brussels sprouts, but this recipe for Smashed Brussels Sprouts is our favorite!
What do Brussel sprouts taste like?
If you cook them properly, Brussels sprouts have a nutty and savory taste and are comparable to small cabbages. They are mild in flavor and not as bitter as you may have been led to believe!
Are Brussels sprouts good for you?
In short, yes. According to the article 10 Ways Brussels Sprouts Benefit Your Health by Healthline, Brussels sprouts are high in nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants, so they are very good for you.
Are Brussels sprouts keto?
We have good news: yes, Brussels sprouts are keto-friendly! They have a very low carb content and pair deliciously with bacon, making them the perfect choice of veggie for a keto diet. One whole cup of Brussels sprouts has only about 8 g of carbs in it.
This recipe for Brussels sprouts is very keto-friendly, as it has plenty of delicious cheese. Adding bacon will make it that much tastier!
Is it Brussel sprout or Brussels sprout?
Brussels sprouts are named after the Belgian city of Brussels, so they are technically called Brussels sprouts, and not Brussel sprouts. However, “Brussel sprouts” is a very common misconception, so you’ll hear both terms.
What is the best way to cook Brussels sprouts?
Roasting is the best way to cook Brussels sprouts. It really brings out the flavor! Roasted Brussel sprouts are easy to make, too. There are some basic steps to follow when roasting Brussel sprouts- here are our recommendations:
- Cut off the brown ends of the sprouts and remove any yellow outer leaves.
- Mix sprouts in a bowl with oil and your desired seasonings.
- Pour Brussels sprouts on a sheet pan and roast for 35 to 40 minutes, until crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.
Our Brussels sprouts recipe is par-boiled, roasted, and then topped off with Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for a gluten-free side dish even the kids will gobble up.
For another delicious taste of roasted Brussel sprouts, try our Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Wild Rice Salad.
How to Clean Brussel Sprouts & How to Trim Brussel Sprouts
Before you cook your Brussels sprouts, you have to clean and trim them! It’s easy to do. First, make sure you have sprouts that don’t have loose leaves, soft spots, or serious blemishes. On a good sprout, the leaves will be compact, the sprout will be firm, and there will be no surface cuts or gashes.
- Rinse your sprouts off in cold water to remove any dirt.
- Cut off the tip of the stem and throw it away.
- Remove any outer leaves that are yellow or blemished.
And that’s it! For some recipes, you can also choose to cut the sprouts in half or even dice them to be smaller if you prefer, but for this recipe for smashed Brussels sprouts, they should not be cut.
Smashed Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe Ingredients
- 8 oz. Brussels sprouts
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 clove garlic (small), crushed
- A dash of salt & pepper (season to your preference)
- 1/2 cup grated Mozzarella
- 2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan
Brussels sprouts with cheese are a delicious way to enjoy these healthy little cabbages. Mozzarella and Parmesan are our favorite choices for the flavor pairing with the sprouts in addition to how easily these cheeses melt!
Try Brussel sprouts with bacon!
Roasted brussel sprouts in oven pair deliciously with bacon. If you like bacon, you can add it to this recipe for an even more savory, delicious flavor combo.
You could also try roasted Brussel sprouts with garlic with Gruyere cheese instead of Mozzarella and Parmesan. Choose your favorite cheese combination and additional toppers to get that great balance of flavor and melting gooeyness that really makes this baked Brussel sprouts recipe stand out among all the rest!
How to Make Smashed Brussels Sprouts
- Cut off the brown ends of the Brussels sprouts and pull off any yellow outer leaves.
- Put the Brussels sprouts into a pot of lightly salted boiling water and simmer for around 5 minutes until bright green and gently tender.
- Meanwhile, prepare a bowl of ice water and preheat the oven to 375° F. Drain the Brussels sprouts and put into the ice water. Drain again.
- Toss Brussels sprouts with oil, garlic, and some salt and pepper. Use the bottom of a mason jar or heavy pan to gently smash the sprouts slightly flat.
- Roast the Brussels sprouts for around 10 minutes.
- Top with Mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Roast another 20 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and starting to brown slightly.
Making smashed Brussels sprouts has two main steps: boiling and roasting. Boiling softens them up a bit and gives an initial cook before you smash with the bottom of a mason jar or heavy pot.
How to Boil Brussel Sprouts
Many recipes boil Brussels sprouts until soft, but I prefer to shorten the boiling time and then roast before topping with the cheese. This also gives the garlic a little more time to release its flavors.
In this roasted Brussels sprouts recipe, the sprouts only need to boil for 5 minutes until tender thanks to the roasting time.
Servings Suggestions for Smashed Brussels Sprouts
This gluten-free side dish is perfect as a part of your Gluten-Free Side Dishes for the holidays, especially as a Thanksgiving side, or any meal you like. They also work as an appetizer as they are pretty great as finger food.
We truly think this is the best Brussel sprouts recipe out there. Try it with these dishes, and we know you’ll love it, too:
- Best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
- Honey Glazed Ham Recipe
- Slow Roasted Prime Rib
- Buttermilk Roast Chicken Breasts
- Grilled Chuck Steak Recipe
Want more gluten free recipes? Try these…
- Gluten Free Fudge Brownies
- Gluten Free Green Bean Casserole
- Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots (Gluten Free)
- Gluten Free Donuts with Cinnamon Sugar
And try more Easy Christmas Dinner Ideas!
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Smashed Brussels Sprouts
🥘 Ingredients
- 8 oz Brussels sprouts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove garlic (small), crushed
- 1 dash salt (season as you prefer)
- 1 dash pepper
- 1/2 cup grated mozzarella
- 2 tbsp grated parmesan
🔪 Instructions
- Trim the end off the Brussels sprouts and peel off any damaged/spotted outer leaves. Cut slightly in to the end of the stem to help them cook more evenly.
- Put the Brussels sprouts into a pot of lightly salted boiling water and simmer for around 5 minutes until bright green and gently tender.
- Meanwhile, prepare a bowl of ice water and preheat the oven to 375F. Drain the Brussels sprouts and put into the ice water.
- Drain the Brussels sprouts again and put in a baking dish. Toss with the oil, garlic and some salt and pepper. Use the bottom of a mason jar to gently smash them slightly flat.
- Roast the Brussels sprouts for around 10 minutes then top with the two cheeses and roast another 20 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and starting to brown slightly.
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Nutrition
Post updated 11/11/2019.
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