Description
This Cheesy Garlic Roasted Asparagus recipe offers a flavorful and easy side dish featuring fresh asparagus tossed in garlic and olive oil, roasted to perfection, and topped with melty mozzarella cheese. It’s a quick, delicious way to elevate your vegetable game with a crispy, cheesy finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Asparagus
- 1 lb. fresh asparagus, trimmed
Seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Topping
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 415 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with foil, dull side facing up to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare Asparagus: Trim the woody ends off the asparagus, rinse them well under cold water, and pat dry thoroughly using paper towels to ensure they roast properly.
- Season Asparagus: Drizzle olive oil over the asparagus and add minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Use clean hands to massage the seasonings evenly over all the asparagus stalks for maximum flavor.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Lay the seasoned asparagus in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between stalks to allow for even roasting.
- Roast Asparagus: Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast for 15 minutes until the asparagus is crisp-tender and a bright green color. Adjust time if stalks are thicker.
- Add Cheese: Remove the asparagus from the oven and evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the roasted stalks.
- Broil Cheese: Switch the oven to the broiler setting on high and return the asparagus to the oven. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese melts, bubbles, and slightly browns.
- Serve: Carefully remove the tray from the oven and serve the cheesy garlic roasted asparagus immediately while warm and gooey.
Notes
- You can use Parmesan or any other melting cheese as a substitute for mozzarella for a different flavor profile.
- Thicker asparagus stalks may require an extra 2 to 3 minutes roasting to become tender.
- Be sure to watch the asparagus closely under the broiler to prevent the cheese from burning.
- For extra garlic flavor, add some garlic powder in addition to fresh garlic.
- This dish pairs well with grilled meats or fish as a nutritious side.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
