Garlicky Creamy Brussels Sprouts Au Gratin Recipe
Garlicky Creamy Brussels Sprouts Au Gratin is a decadent and savory side dish featuring tender Brussels sprouts baked in a rich, garlicky cream sauce layered with a blend of Parmesan, cheddar, and fontina cheeses. This comforting bake offers a perfect balance of creamy texture and cheesy flavor, making it a delightful accompaniment for any meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Brussels Sprouts
- 16 ounces Brussels sprouts, cleaned, trimmed and cut in half
Cream Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
Cheese
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded fontina cheese
Instructions
- Preheat: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat it to 375ºF (190ºC) to ensure even cooking and melting of the cheese.
- Prep: While the oven preheats, clean and trim the Brussels sprouts by removing any tough outer leaves and cutting them in half. Shred the fontina, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses, then combine all the shredded cheeses in one bowl and set aside for later use.
- Infuse: Heat an oven-safe pan such as a cast iron skillet or braiser over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and allow it to soften and begin to simmer in the butter without browning, to release a delicate garlic flavor. Once simmering, remove the pan from heat and stir in the heavy cream, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and nutmeg until well combined. Then, fold in half of the shredded cheese mixture to create a creamy, cheesy sauce.
- Bake: Add the halved Brussels sprouts to the pan, stirring gently to coat them evenly with the cream sauce. Spread the sprouts in an even layer to allow for thorough cooking. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly over the top. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 25 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden, and the Brussels sprouts are tender when pierced with a fork. Serve warm as a delicious side dish alongside your favorite protein and sides.
Notes
- If you do not have an oven-safe pan, after preparing the cream sauce on the stovetop, transfer everything into a greased baking dish before baking in the oven.
- Adjust seasoning to taste before baking if desired.
- For a stronger garlic flavor, you can add an additional clove of garlic, but be careful not to burn it during the butter infusion step.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated; the sauce may thicken upon standing—add a splash of cream or milk to loosen it if needed.
Keywords: Brussels sprouts, au gratin, garlicky, creamy, cheesy, side dish, oven baked, comfort food
