Toasted Parmesan and Herb Farofa with Bacon Crumbles
A traditional Brazilian toasted cassava flour side dish enriched with crispy bacon and fragrant fresh herbs. This brazilian-inspired quick meals ready in about 25 minutes pairs cassava flour (farinha de mandioca), bacon, diced, small onion, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups cassava flour (farinha de mandioca)
- 6 oz bacon, diced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 6 oz diced bacon until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
- Step 2: Add 2 tbsp unsalted butter to the bacon fat, then add 1 small finely chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to low, then stir in 1 1/2 cups cassava flour and toast, stirring constantly, for 5-6 minutes until golden and fragrant.
- Step 4: Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, the cooked bacon crumbles, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Serve the farofa warm as a flavorful side dish to grilled meats or feijoada.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Toasted Parmesan and Herb Farofa with Bacon Crumbles take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Toasted Parmesan and Herb Farofa with Bacon Crumbles?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bacon, diced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Toasted Parmesan and Herb Farofa with Bacon Crumbles?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Toasted Parmesan and Herb Farofa with Bacon Crumbles for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Toasted Parmesan and Herb Farofa with Bacon Crumbles?
Brazilian quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
