Description
A simple and delicious recipe for cheesy garlic roasted asparagus. Fresh asparagus spears are seasoned with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper, then roasted until tender and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect as a flavorful side dish for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 lb. asparagus, fresh and trimmed
Seasonings and Oil
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Dairy
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 415 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil, dull side facing up. Trim the woody ends off the asparagus, rinse with water, and pat dry with paper towels.
- Season Asparagus: Drizzle olive oil over the asparagus and season with minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Use clean hands to massage the seasonings all over the asparagus stalks evenly.
- Arrange and Roast: Arrange asparagus on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between the stalks. Roast in the oven for 15 minutes for crisp-tender asparagus with a bright green color, adjusting time for thickness as needed.
- Add Cheese: Remove the asparagus from the oven and evenly top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Broil Cheese: Switch the oven to high broil. Return the asparagus to the oven and broil for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve immediately as a warm and cheesy side dish.
Notes
- For thicker asparagus, roast a few minutes longer for perfect tenderness.
- You can substitute mozzarella with Parmesan or a blend of cheeses for different flavors.
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor; garlic powder can be used in a pinch.
- To keep asparagus crisp, avoid overcrowding the baking sheet.
- This dish pairs well with grilled meats or roasted chicken for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
