Serve up a restaurant-quality side dish in minutes with this ridiculously easy recipe!
It’s funny how we get used to cooking some foods the same way all the time. I’ve been steaming and sautéing asparagus for years. Those preparation methods seem so simple and straightforward that I never second-guessed them. Until my niece suggested this roasted asparagus with cheese recipe, that is!
We were putting together a family dinner to celebrate her graduation from culinary school last spring. She really wanted to include all her favorite dishes, like rosemary roasted chicken, Lyonnaise potatoes, and Waldorf salad. I was on board with everything until she mentioned including asparagus, her favorite vegetable. I knew that steaming or sautéing would make it tricky to get everything on the table at the same time—especially given the limited space of her chosen venue: her tiny one-bedroom apartment. This recipe, she assured me, would give us exactly enough time to roast the veggies after we took the chicken out of the oven for carving.
She was right! We didn’t have to clear off any stovetop space to make the dish, and it was easy to take it directly from the oven to the table when everything else was ready to serve. But the big payoff was the delectable flavor profile. Roasting brought out some natural sweetness I’d never tasted in asparagus before! And the cheese melted right into the cream and garlic, creating a rich and luscious sauce that everyone raved about. I may never steam or sauté asparagus again!
Tips for selecting and prepping asparagus
Asparagus is the star of this simple dish—so it’s important to choose your spears wisely! You’ll find the freshest selections in the spring, but most grocery stores import fresh varieties year-round.
Start by choosing asparagus spears that are firm, straight, richly green, and have tightly closed tips. Avoid stalks that are rubbery, limp, or mushy. Select spears that are uniform in thickness and length so they’ll cook more evenly. Thicker spears are best for roasting, thanks to their meatier texture.
To prep them before roasting, simply cut or snap off the woody ends. Gently bend each individual spear until it snaps at its natural breaking point. If you detect other tough areas on any of your spears, simply shave them away with a small paring knife. Then rinse them under cold water and pat them dry. For the most even roasting, arrange them in a single layer in your baking dish.
How do I store leftovers?
Let leftover roasted asparagus cool completely to room temp before transferring it to an airtight container or zip-top bag. Store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze this dish for up to 1 month—but expect significant softening from the freeze-thaw process. To restore some crispness, reheat leftovers in the oven or an air fryer at 350°F until warmed through.
Similar recipes to try
Hungry for more recipes that feature asparagus? Check out this one for Keto Chicken And Asparagus With White Cheddar Sauce. Looking for other roasted veggie side dishes? Try this recipe for Perfect Roasted Eggplant, these Balsamic Roasted Green Beans And Strawberries, and this recipe for Roasted BBQ Bacon Brussels Sprouts.
Roasted Asparagus With Cheese
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound asparagus trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic crushed and finely chopped
- 1 cup cream
- 1/2 cup mozzarella grated
- 1/4 cup Parmesan grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Place the asparagus in an ovenproof dish. Drizzle the olive oil, minced garlic, and cream over the veggies. Toss gently to coat the asparagus stalks evenly.
- Sprinkle both the cheeses over the asparagus mixture and season with salt and pepper.
- Roast uncovered until the cheese is melty and bubbly, about 10-15 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
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