Veggie or Casserole Topper

This five-ingredient topping turns plain steamed vegetables or a simple casserole into something worth seconds. Diced bacon gets crisped in the microwave, then garlic blooms in the reserved drippings before bread crumbs and Italian seasoning join the mix.

Using bacon drippings instead of butter to flavor the bread crumbs is what gives this topper its savory punch. One tablespoon of rendered fat carries more flavor than twice that amount of plain butter, and the garlic cooks in it for just a minute to soften without burning.

The whole thing comes together in a measuring cup in the microwave, which means no skillet to wash and no stovetop to monitor. Crisp the bacon, cook the garlic, mix in the crumbs and seasonings, and it’s ready to scatter over whatever needs a crunchy, savory crown.

Kitchen Tips

• Stir the bacon midway through microwaving. Microwave hot spots can burn some pieces while leaving others limp.
• Keep only one tablespoon of drippings. More than that and the bread crumbs turn greasy instead of crispy.
• Use dry bread crumbs, not fresh. Dry crumbs stay crunchy on top of hot vegetables. Fresh crumbs absorb moisture and go soft.
• If topping a casserole, add during the last 3 to 4 minutes of cooking. Earlier and the crumbs will steam and lose their crunch.

Variations

• Add a tablespoon of grated Parmesan to the bread crumb mixture for extra savory depth.
• Swap Italian seasoning for smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne for a spicy version.
• Use panko instead of regular bread crumbs for an even crunchier, more dramatic topping.