Cheesy Baked Asparagus

Name: Cheesy Baked Asparagus
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 20 spears asparagus, woody ends snapped off; 1 tsp avocado oil (or other cooking oil); ½ tsp garlic powder; ¼ tsp onion powder; ¼ tsp sea salt (or to taste); ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper (or to taste); ½ cup shredded mozzarella (regular, sheep, goat, or vegan)

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Cheesy Baked Asparagus is a delicious side dish made on a sheet pan. You only need 5 ingredients and 15 minutes! It's super simple and always hit!

Asparagus

Asparagus, or Garden Asparagus, is a green spring vegetable that can be eaten raw, roasted, sauteéd, steamed, or even grilled. There are so many options!

You can eat the whole pointy spear except for the woody bottom part. The woody part can be easily snapped off by holding the asparagus on both sides and snapping it. Each spear will snap in its own spot where the fresh asparagus ends and the woody part begins. It's like magic!

I've shared a variety of asparagus recipes on the blog in the past. Here are a few of my favorites where asparagus is a part of the main dish:

When served as a side, I like roasted asparagus the most! It's easy, simple, and so versatile! This dish comes together in about 15 minutes, prep included! Asparagus takes a very short amount of time to cook which makes it perfect for quick meals!

Fresh asparagus spears on pink tile background.

What type of cheese should I use?

I've tried this recipe with three different types of cheese and they were all great! Asparagus and cheese go incredibly well together so it's really all about your preference.

The amount is also totally up to you. Make it as light or as cheesy as you want! I usually go with two handfuls of shredded cheese.

Mozzarella - Shredded mozzarella is my #1 choice for this recipe. It melts really well, makes the dish super cheesy, and has a mild flavor that won't overpower your main dish.
Pecorino or Parmesan cheese - You can either buy it grated or grate it yourself using a box grater or a Microplane. This cheese doesn't melt as much as mozzarella and stays the same even as the asparagus cools.
Kashkaval - This is Balkan cheese also known as Kasseri in Greek cuisine. It's usually made with sheep or goat cheese. It melts really well and it's a great alternative to mozzarella.

Fresh asparagus on a sheet pan sprinkled with grated cheese. Pan is on a scratched metal surface.

What to Serve it With

Asparagus is a very versatile vegetable. There are so many dishes to serve it with! The cheese makes this a heavier side so I recommend serving it with lighter dishes or along with lighter sides.

Salads: Try it with this Greek Potato Salad or this Charred Corn Salad (Skip the Pecorino in the salad if desired).
Protein: Salmon is a great choice. It's my favorite fish and asparagus goes great with it! If you eat meat, chicken or burgers are also great protein to serve with this side.
Breakfast: It's a great side to add to your savory breakfast. I serve it on the side of avocado toast, sausages, and eggs. Poached, sunnyside up, scrambled, or an omelet are all great choices!

Serving and Storing

This cheesy asparagus is best served right away while the cheese is still very soft and hot. This is especially true with mozzarella or any other cheese that melts really well.

Pro tip: Use grated parmesan or pecorino cheese if you're not eating the asparagus right away. Those cheeses don't melt into a puddle the way mozzarella does and stay just as delicious longer!

Roasted asparagus spears on a baking sheet with cheese sprinkled on that has melted in the oven.

Asparagus FAQ:

How do you cook asparagus so it's not chewy?

Snap off the woody ends before cooking. Instead of cutting them off, hold the spear on both ends with each hand and snap it. It should snap off where the tough part ends and fresh asparagus begins!

Can you cook asparagus for too long?

Yes. Asparagus doesn't take very long to cook and it can be eaten raw so the cooking time is based on your preference. In general, it only takes 5-10 minutes to cook asparagus. Cooking it for longer will yield in softer asparagus with no bite to it.

Is roasted asparagus healthy?

In general, yes. It's a vegetable so it's healthy but if you're really concerned, just try not to use too much oil and don't overdo it with the cheese to keep it extra healthy.

A close up photo of roasted asparagus spears on a baking sheet with cheese sprinkled on that has melted in the oven.

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