Easy Cheesy Baked Asparagus

Cheese meets greens in this incredibly easy, deliciously cheesy baked asparagus recipe that’s perfect for a quick dinner side or a crowd-pleasing appetizer!

I’m going to introduce you to a dish that’s always a hit at my house: Effortless cheesy baked asparagus! All you need is to take succulent asparagus tips and wrap them tight in cheesy mozzarella, then lightly sprinkle a twist of lemon for that extra zing! It takes next to no time at all to prepare and it’s a veggie dish your kids will love (thanks in most part to the cheese).

If you’ve given my Easy Roasted Broccoli or the Oven Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Goat Cheese a try, you’ll find this recipe has a similar low-fuss, high-taste vibe to it. So… are you ready to get green and cheesy?

Is Cheesy Baked Asparagus Healthy?

Asparagus is part of the green family, which should already tip you off to its health factor. Asparagus provides heart-healthy vitamins and minerals, while the mozzarella provides the dish with protein and calcium, making this a side that balances taste and nutrition. The olive oil also pulls its weight, bringing healthy monounsaturated fats to the dish. All that being said, the cheese contains a lot of fat, so if you’re watching your fat intake, remember that portion control is key to a healthy diet.

INGREDIENTS

The asparagus, oil, and mozzarella are required; the other ingredients are included for taste.

• ½ lb. asparagus tips
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, finely crushed
• 1 cup mozzarella, grated
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• salt and pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Drizzle

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Drizzle the olive oil into an oven-safe dish, then line the asparagus at the bottom of the dish. Squeeze the lemon juice over the asparagus and sprinkle in a little salt and pepper.

Bake

Make a line with the cheese up the center of the asparagus and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and slightly browned.

DEVOUR!

Variations

I think mozzarella works best with asparagus, but you have a bunch of options — Parmesan, cheddar, or gruyere all work great. Just make sure it’s the kind of cheese that gets gooey when heated.

This is a recipe for asparagus so I’m not going to suggest you drop them. Instead I’m going to suggest adding other veggies, like bell peppers or even some squash. You can also add some crumbled bacon like in these roasted Brussel sprouts with bacon.

Tips & Tricks

Prep your asparagus: If juicy and tender asparagus is your endgame, just snap off the bottom bits where it naturally gives when you bend them. I do this when I wnat to get rid of the tough ends.

Don’t skip the lemon: The lemon juice keeps the asparagus fresh and adds a tangy kick, which complements the creamy mozzarella.

Choose good quality cheese: Speaking of cheese, don’t cheap out on the mozzarella.

Watch your baking time: Do NOT overbake. Check your asparagus around 10 minutes in the oven. You don’t want asparagus that’s lost its bite and cheese that’s too brown.

Presentation is key: This one is a tip on what you DON’T have to do. Plated presentations are wasted on this dish. Instead, pull it out of the oven while it’s all golden and bubbly and set it down on the table in its baking dish.

Serving Suggestions

This cheesy baked asparagus goes with pretty much everything! If you want to satisfy the carnivore inside you, it works incredibly well with a sizzling grilled steak or a juicy chicken. If you’re a plant kind of gal, you might prefer a rich mushroom risotto with it or just throw it in your pasta for some fresh cheesy goodness. Want something on the lighter side? Make yourself a quinoa salad, add in this fantastic asparagus, and bam, you’ve got yourself a satisfying meal!

FAQs

How to Store Cheesy Baked Asparagus

You can put this dish together a few hours ahead of time and then bake it when you’re ready to serve. Any leftovers can be stored in a container and kept in the fridge for up to three days. To warm it up again, stick your asparagus in the oven at 350°F for 5-8 minutes. Once the cheese bubbles, it should be ready. You can also use the The microwave as it is faster but you risk softening the asparagus more than you’d in the oven.

Print

Easy Cheesy Baked Asparagus

Cheese meets greens in this incredibly easy, deliciously cheesy baked asparagus recipe that’s perfect for a quick dinner side or a crowd-pleasing appetizer!

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Calories 130kcal

Author FoodFaithFitness

Ingredients

• ½ lb. asparagus tips
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic finely crushed
• 1 cup mozzarella grated
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• salt and pepper

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Drizzle the olive oil into an oven-safe dish, then line the asparagus at the bottom of the dish. Squeeze the lemon juice over the asparagus and sprinkle a little salt and pepper. Make a line with the cheese up the center of the asparagus and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and slightly browned.
  

Notes

Prep your asparagus: If juicy and tender asparagus is your endgame, just snap off the bottom bits where it naturally gives when you bend them. Doing so gets rid of the tough, woody ends.

Don’t skip the lemon: The lemon juice keeps the asparagus fresh and adds a tangy kick, which complements the creamy mozzarella.

Choose good quality cheese: Speaking of which, don’t cheap out on the mozzarella. One bite and you can tell the difference between good cheese and bad cheese. If you want a rich, velvety flavor, opt for quality over savings.

Watch your baking time: Do NOT overbake. Pay strict attention as the dish approaches 10 minutes in the oven. You don’t want asparagus that’s lost its bite and cheese that’s way too brown.

Presentation is key: This one is a tip on what you DON’T have to do. Plated presentations are wasted on this dish. Instead, pull it out of the oven while it’s all golden and bubbly and set it down on the table in its baking dish. For some reason, that rustic touch really suits asparagus and cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 130kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 199mg | Potassium: 157mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 600IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 212mg | Iron: 1mg

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