Description
Creamy “Cheesy Baked Asparagus” brings Mediterranean elegance to your dinner table with minimal effort. Roasted to perfection, crisp asparagus spears melt under a golden cheese blanket, offering you a simple yet sophisticated side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
Cheeses:
- 1 cup (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 400°F and creating a non-stick surface with parchment paper or light grease on a baking sheet.
- Distribute asparagus spears evenly across the baking sheet, ensuring no overlapping occurs.
- Massage olive oil onto asparagus, coating each spear thoroughly with gentle strokes.
- Generously season the asparagus with salt and pepper, distributing the seasonings uniformly.
- Roast the asparagus in the heated oven for approximately 10-12 minutes until the vegetable turns tender and slightly crisp at the edges.
- Carefully remove the baking sheet and lavishly cover the roasted asparagus with a blend of mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian herbs.
- Return the cheese-topped asparagus to the oven for an additional 5-7 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt completely and develop a golden, bubbly texture.
- Once the cheese reaches a perfect molten state, extract from the oven and elegantly garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
- Serve the dish immediately while the cheese remains warm and stretchy, presenting a vibrant and appetizing side dish.
Notes
- Choose firm, bright green asparagus spears with tight, compact tips for the best texture and flavor.
- Pat asparagus dry before roasting to ensure crispy edges and prevent soggy results.
- Adjust cooking time based on asparagus thickness; thinner spears need less roasting time to prevent overcooking.
- For a low-carb option, swap mozzarella with nutritional yeast or use a lighter cheese blend.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg