foodie fridays: brussel sprout casserole with bacon & gorgonzola

I still got it!

Once in awhile I actually surprise myself, especially when it comes to dealing with vehicles. Being married to a mechanical engineer has it perks when it comes to car maintenance. Like I haven’t seen the inside of a repair shop since we got married (praise the lord). Oh, the car needs an oil change, Mr.B is on it. Or would he be under it? Either way, it’s nice to not have to worry about car problems because I know I have my own “Car Talk” line.

But. You knew there was a but. I was driving home from work and it had finally warmed up outside after a week of snowing, which meant the roads were super wet & dirty. I kept driving, spraying my windshields with washer fluid, watching the dirt disappear to only have it reappear in seconds. I got about halfway home, when I pulled the little lever again….nada. I pulled it again to make sure… nada crickets.

My immediate thought was to panic, of course! “EFFFFF. I am not going to be able to see…. someone is going to hit me….I’ll probably pee or poop my pants too……I am going to die.”

Alas, I didn’t die, I might have slightly peed my pants, but I quickly remembered Mr. B buying washer fluid before we left on holiday because our other car was having the same problem. So, I faced palmed my head and said, “DUH.” Drove to the gas station, purchased fluid, filled up the washer container which was written in Big Chief Letter writing so you couldn’t mess up, and away I went.

I realize that filling up your windshield wipper fluid in your car should not equal a near death experience, but the important thing is that I’m still full of surprises. Which leads me to this casserole! Folks, get ready for brussel sprout everything. Kale is out and brussel sprouts are in! So, to celebrate the news and greatest veggie trend, I thought a brussel casserole would do the trick. Plus, you can’t eat your veggies without bacon and cheese that would be wrong, so very wrong.

This casserole will surpise you in so many ways because it’s quick, easy, and oh so cheesy. Plus, it comes sans crickets. And with that, we are all winning.

Print Recipe

Brussel Sprout Casserole with Bacon & Gorgonzola

Yield: Serves 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 pieces bacon, chopped
3 cups brussel sprouts, sliced
3/4 cup cream
1/2 cup half/half
1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup mozzarella
1/2 cup Gorgonzola
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a 3-quart baking dish (or smaller) with non-stick cooking spray. In a large skillet, melt butter and add the bacon. Crisp the bacon for about 5 minutes. Then add the brussel sprouts with a little salt and pepper and continue to cook until softened; about 5 minutes. Add the flour, stir, and cook for another minute. Gradually add the cream & half/half. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for another five minutes. Remove skillet from heat, and stir in mozzarella. Pour the brussel sprout mixture into the baking dish and sprinkle top with Gorgonzola. Bake for about 25 minutes and with a few minutes left turn the broiler on to get a nice golden cheesy crust on top. Serve immediately.

All images and text ©Lauren Grier for The Curious Plate