Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon is a simple and easy side dish that your family will keep coming back to. Steamed right in the tray you bake it in with lots of delicious bacon and Parmesan flavor, these roasted Brussels sprouts are a keeper!
We have gotten to that amazing time of year again! The holidays! I love creating recipes for you all year long, but there is something that brings me an extra special burst of joy to create recipes for you around the holidays. I love knowing that these recipes in particular are going to be used for celebration and bringing people together.
One of the things that is key to making a great side dish recipe, especially a holiday side dish, is great ingredients. So many of my holiday sides are primarily just vegetables. My Bacon Wrapped Asparagus and my Crock Pot Sweet Potatoes – both perfect for holidays and weeknights – are perfect examples.
This recipe is my absolute favorite! When I speak about making Brussel Sprouts in my house they all know this is what they are eating! Definitely a family favorite. 10 out of 10 would recommend!
Preparing Brussels Sprouts For Baking
Follow these simple steps for preparing your Brussels sprouts. For the full recipe directions and measurements, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Choose firm, bright green Brussels sprouts with tightly packed leaves. Avoid any that are yellowing or have black spots.
- Rinse them under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris. Pat them dry with a clean towel or paper towel.
- Using a sharp knife, trim off the tough stem end of each Brussels sprout. Be careful not to cut too much, or the leaves will fall apart.
- Any Brussels Sprouts that are more than 1/2 an inch big should be sliced in half.
How to Roast Brussels Sprouts in the Oven
This method for roasting Brussels Sprouts works perfectly every time. You can create different flavor profiles by what you add to your Brussels sprouts before roasting.
- Prepare your Brussels sprouts. While the oven is preheating to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, prepare your Brussels sprouts. See more about this above.
- Season the Brussels sprouts. Toss the Brussels sprouts with olive oil, water, garlic, and salt on the tray you will bake them on. Make sure all of the Brussels sprouts are lying sliced side down if they are cut in half.
- Add the bacon. Sprinkle the bacon over the top and cover the baking sheet with aluminum foil, making sure to seal it around the edges. The water inside the sealed pan creates steam that will make the Brussels Sprouts tender.
- Bake the Brussels sprouts. Roast for 10 minutes with the tray sealed with foil. Uncover and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes or until the bacon is crispy.
- Add the cheese and enjoy! Remove from the oven, transfer to a serving bowl, and cover liberally with Parmesan cheese. Read more on the best Parmesan cheese to use below.
The Best Rimmed Baking Sheets
Making Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Adding bacon to the above method really puts these Brussels sprouts over the top. While they are covered and steaming, the fat drips down around them and adds delicious bacon flavor. I find it easiest to cut the raw bacon using kitchen sheers.
When you take off the foil, the bacon crisps up. It leaves you with the perfect mix of roasted Brussels sprout flavor and delicious bacon. It ends up being the perfect easy side dish recipe.
If you want to make a twist on this recipe, but without the bacon, you should try my Crispy Brussels Sprouts.
Picking Parmesan Cheese for your Brussels Sprouts
I had a dish similar to this at a restaurant recently, and they added freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the top of their baked Brussels sprouts. And not like a little cheese. They went all out.
There is something about freshly grated Parmesan cheese that is unlike any other. I grabbed a wedge of Parmesan and very liberally grated it over this roasted Brussels sprouts recipe right as it came out of the oven.
You could absolutely buy pre-grated cheese, but the quality will be really different. It won’t have that delicious soft texture that you can see so gorgeously coats the Brussels sprouts in these photos.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover Brussels sprouts with bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer until heated through.
Other Great Side Dishes
Since a warm and inviting holiday table is usually covered with delicious side dishes, here are some more that you can have at the ready.
- This Cheesy Potato Recipe is a staple in so many homes at the holidays. It’s perfect for a big crowd!
- Is there any greater holiday recipe than Homemade Stuffing? I’m not saying it’s the only reason I go to Thanksgiving, but I’m also not not saying that.
- Your kiddos will LOVE these Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots! Perfect during the week and delicious enough for a holiday.
If you make these Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon or any of my other side dishes, leave me a comment and let me know what you think!
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Brussels sprouts trimmed, read how to cut Brussel spouts (907.1 grams)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon water
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 6 slices bacon diced
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (100 grams)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly spray a 10 by 16 inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Right on the tray, toss the Brussels sprouts with olive oil, water, garlic, and salt. Make sure all of the Brussels sprouts are lying sliced side down if they are cut in half. Sprinkle the bacon over the top and cover the baking sheet with aluminum foil, making sure to seal it around the edges.2 pounds Brussels sprouts, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon water, 3 cloves garlic, 6 slices bacon
- Roast for 10 minutes with the tray sealed with foil. Uncover and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes or until the bacon is crispy. If you have loose Brussels sprout leaves, they will get very crisp. This is fine and adds a nice roasted flavor to the dish.
- Remove from the oven, transfer to a serving bowl, and cover liberally with Parmesan cheese.1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Jackie Levesque says
Looks amazing. Would frozen work
I haven’t tried this with frozen Brussels. I think the biggest draw back is that if they were going right from the freezer to the oven you wouldn’t be able to cut them, which would really impact cooking.
Robert Myers says
Can you cut the recipe down to 2 or 3 people
Yes! If you click on the number 6 in the recipe card, it will let you slide the scale to put it down to how many people you want to make it for!
Valerie Erfort says
Can this be made ahead for dinner later in the day?
I haven’t tried that. I think it would be good, but not as good as if made fresh.
Kimberly Lewis says
Are the Brussels tender when done cooking? Thank you. ????
Yes! The water you add helps them become perfectly tender.
Gabrielle says
This recipe is my absolute favorite! When I speak about making Brussel Sprouts in my house they all know this is what they are eating! Definitely a family favorite. 10 out of 10 would recommend!
This is just the greatest review. Thank you!
cheryl capers says
turned out great. very delicious
I’m so glad you liked it!
Colette says
These brussels sprouts are SO GOOD. The dual steam/roast method works fabulously and leaves you with creamy centers and crispy outsides. Absolutely keep the errant leaves on the pan as suggested – they crisp up and are amazing! Bacon really does put this recipe over the top.
Thanks for the fantastic recipe! :) I can’t wait to serve this to company!
I’m so happy you enjoyed this one so much!
MELANIE says
Could you do this recipe in an Air frier?
I’m sorry, I haven’t tested this in the air fryer.