Cheesy baked asparagus is a delicious use for this tasty spring vegetable.
We usually keep side veggies pretty simple around here. Typically, veggies get tossed with a little olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper are all that is needed. But adding flavors like onion, garlic, and sharp, salty parmesan cheese makes vegetables so tasty. Then add a layer of melty, stretchy mozzarella cheese and who can resist?!
A slightly elevated side dish is nice when the main course is very simple, like basic baked chicken or fish.
Ingredients
Asparagus: Select bright green stalks of similar size so they cook evenly.
Garlic Powder: There can be a tendency to look down on garlic powder in preference to fresh garlic. But the powdery stuff has its place. I like how it thoroughly covered the asparagus in garlic goodness.
Onion Powder: Much like its garlic counterpart, onion powder does a lovely job of giving flavor to the asparagus.
Black Pepper: I think black pepper is an essential part of nearly every savory dish.
Parmesan Cheese: Just a small amount of freshly grated parm adds a sharp, salty taste.
Olive Oil: My favorite oil for roasting vegetables.
Mozzarella Cheese: Not just for pizza! Although who can resist it on pizza? Mozzarella cheese is wonderful with all sorts of veggies, including asparagus.
Instructions
Preheat your oven and prep a sheet pan or baking dish. I usually just use cooking spray, but parchment paper makes cleanup a breeze.
Trim the hard, woody ends off the asparagus stalks and arrange them on the pan. Sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and parmesan cheese. Drizzle with the olive oil and toss the asparagus to combine. I typically just use my hands.
Bake for 15 minutes. The challenge with asparagus is baking time can vary slightly depending on the diameter of the stalks. Typically 18-20 minutes will result in tender, perfectly baked asparagus.
After 15 minutes, sprinkle the asparagus with mozzarella cheese and return to the oven for another 5-7 minutes.
Serve immediately. This cheesy baked asparagus will be a delicious addition to your meal!
Cheesy Baked Asparagus
Ingredients
- ½ pound asparagus stalks trimmed of dry ends
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 Tbsp parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ¼ mozzarella cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉
- Prep a baking sheet with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. Place the asparagus on the baking sheet.
- Sprinkle the asparagus with the garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the top. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to distribute the spices and cheese evenly over the asparagus.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove and top with the mozzarella cheese.
- Return to the oven for an additional 5-7 minutes until the asparagus is tender. The cheese will be melted and start to brown around the edges.