The Healthful Ideas

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • Breakfast
  • Appetizers
  • Dinner
  • Drinks
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • Breakfast
    • Appetizers
    • Dinner
    • Drinks
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home > Recipes

    Cheesy Baked Asparagus

    Published: May 3, 2021 · Updated: Jul 18, 2021 · by Veronika Sykorova · This post may contain affiliate links · 9 Comments

    62 shares
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·5 from 9 reviews
    Baked asparagus spears on a sheet pan with cheese sprinkled on that has melted in the oven.

    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!

    Baked asparagus spears on a sheet pan with cheese sprinkled on that has melted in the oven.

    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:

    • Asparagus Tart with Pesto and Goat Cheese
    • Light Asparagus Pasta with Fresh Basil
    • Arborio Risotto with Asparagus and Peas

    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.

    Would you like to save this recipe?

    We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

    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!
    Baked asparagus spears on a sheet pan with cheese sprinkled on that has melted in the oven.

    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.
    Print

    📖 Recipe

    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Baked asparagus spears on a sheet pan with cheese sprinkled on that has melted in the oven.

    Cheesy Baked Asparagus

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 9 reviews
    • Author: Veronika | thehealthfulideas
    • Prep Time: 5 mins
    • Cook Time: 10 mins
    • Total Time: 15 minutes
    • Yield: 2-4 1x
    • Category: Sides
    • Method: Roasting
    • Cuisine: American
    • Diet: Vegetarian
    Print Recipe
    Save Recipe Recipe Saved

    Description

    This cheesy asparagus is a super simple side that can be ready to eat in just 15 minutes!


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 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)

    Instructions

    1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
    2. Add your asparagus to a baking sheet. Drizzle with the avocado oil and toss to coat.
    3. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, dried rosemary, sea salt, black pepper, and fresh lemon zest. Toss to coat well.
    4. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella in the middle of the spears, making sure to cover all spears evenly. 
    5. Roast for 10 minutes. The mozzarella should be melted and the asparagus golden.
    6. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    You can also use a broiler for this but you might have to adjust the time and keep an eye on the asparagus. Broilers tend to be very strong and the asparagus could burn very quickly. 

    Storing: The asparagus can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days but it’s best eaten right away as the cheese solidifies when cold and it’s not as good when reheated.

    The nutritional information is just an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information is not guaranteed.

    Would you like to save this recipe?

    We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

    Did you make this recipe?

    Comment and rate the recipe below and tag @thehealthfulideas on Instagram with the hashtag #thehealthfulideas, I'd love to see what you made!

    More All recipes

    • A tall glass with blueberry mojito with an ombre effect with the purple settling on the bottom.
      Blueberry Mojito
    • Crispy potato salad with yogurt mayo dressing garnished with bit of more crispy potatoes and fresh dill in a white bowl.
      Crispy Smashed Potato Salad
    • Pancakes topped with fresh strawberries, maple syrup, and powdered sugar on a light green plate.
      Strawberry Pancakes
    • Crispy roasted potatoes in a white low bowl on a tile background with a silver spoon in the bowl.
      Rosemary and Garlic Roasted Potatoes
    62 shares

    Comments

    1. Chef Dennis says

      May 03, 2021 at 5:39 pm

      I never tried a Cheesy one before! But this Cheesy Baked Asparagus recipe of yours is making me want to have it all.

      Reply
    2. Bernice Hill says

      May 04, 2021 at 12:40 am

      We eat roasted asparagus on repeat this time of year...however sometimes this simple side just needs a little bit extra. I'm going to try cheesing it up next time!

      Reply
    3. Eva says

      May 06, 2021 at 9:34 am

      This is perfect. It has become one of my favourite ways to cook a favourite vegetable of mine. An easy side dish that pairs well with any meat!

      Reply
    4. GUNJAN C Dudani says

      May 06, 2021 at 11:03 am

      Totally in for this. These melted cheese on asparagus is mind blowing. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    5. Tristin says

      May 06, 2021 at 11:21 am

      We eat a lot of asparagus around here when it's in season. Love making it this way with melty cheesy goodness!

      Reply
    6. Marta says

      May 06, 2021 at 10:31 pm

      I topped mine with feta since I didn't have anything else and the asparagus were so tasty!

      Reply
    7. Tammy says

      May 07, 2021 at 2:17 pm

      One of my favorite ways to prep asparagus! Love this..so easy and delicious. It's a perfect side for almost any meal.

      Reply
    8. Cooking with Carbs says

      May 07, 2021 at 9:13 pm

      I've never added cheese to asparagus before, but I have no idea why not. This looks like an amazing idea. Combining two things I love! I will be trying this soon. Thank you!

      Reply
    9. Elaine says

      May 09, 2021 at 10:34 am

      I've got plenty of asparagus sitting in the kitchen and ready to rock and roll :-) This is a fantastic recipe to use it all up in!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    A photo of a young woman in a white and red striped shirt with a white backround.

    Welcome!

    I'm Veronika and The Healthful Ideas where I share original plant-based recipes for every day cooking and popular classics with a healthy twist.

    More about me

    Latest Recipes

    • A tall glass with blueberry mojito with an ombre effect with the purple settling on the bottom.
      Blueberry Mojito
    • Crispy potato salad with yogurt mayo dressing garnished with bit of more crispy potatoes and fresh dill in a white bowl.
      Crispy Smashed Potato Salad
    • Pancakes topped with fresh strawberries, maple syrup, and powdered sugar on a light green plate.
      Strawberry Pancakes
    • Crispy roasted potatoes in a white low bowl on a tile background with a silver spoon in the bowl.
      Rosemary and Garlic Roasted Potatoes

    Footer

    • Latest recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • Free Appetizers E-book
    • About
    • Contact
    • Portfolio
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Disclaimer

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Foodie Pro on the Foodie Pro Theme

    62 shares
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Flipboard
    • Email
    • SMS
    • Bluesky