Cheesy Garlic Roasted Asparagus

Not a fan of asparagus? Well, prepare to be converted because this Cheesy Garlic Roasted Asparagus tastes good! Asparagus and non-asparagus lovers alike will fall head-over-heels for this recipe.

Asparagus spears are tossed in olive oil and garlic, roasted to perfection and then topped with lots of melty cheese to make a reliable side dish to any of your favourite meals!

If you've tried our Browned Butter Baked Asparagus and are looking for something different, this cheesy garlic roasted asparagus recipe is worth checking out.

If you ask us, the easiest way to get asparagus on your plate is by roasting it. Throw this versatile veggie on a baking tray and let the oven do its thing- it doesn't get any easier.

Why this Recipe Works

Roasting veggies is such a great way to amplify their natural flavors, and while we LOVE asparagus in all its forms, we know quite a few who are not a fan of its earthiness and subtle bitterness.

And that's exactly why roasting it and teaming it up with those salty, cheesy flavors is such an excellent move- it's actually inspired by our Cheesy Roasted Green Beans.

We actually love throwing a handful of roasted asparagus straight into a pan of brown butter pasta right before serving to make it a full meal.

What Goes into this Recipe

• Asparagus: You'll need to use fresh asparagus with the woody ends trimmed off. We wouldn't recommend using frozen asparagus here.
• Garlic: Minced, for that depth of flavor. Garlic powder doesn't stand a chance here.
• Cheese: We used mozzarella cheese because that's what we had at hand. You can use Parmesan or experiment with other kinds of cheese too.
• Seasonings: We used just the classic salt and pepper here.
• Olive oil: To crisp up the asparagus. You'll need a generous amount.

Note: please see recipe card at the bottom for list of full ingredients and measurements

Substitutions & Variations

To lend it a kick of heat, add some cayenne or red pepper flakes along as well to season.

Experiment with different kinds of seasonings like Italian seasoning, taco seasoning or Old Bay seasoning to lend a different flavor to the asparagus.

On the stove

1. Prep asparagus: Start by preheating the oven at 425 degrees and greasing your baking sheet with nonstick cooking oil spray. Arrange the asparagus spears on the sheet and set aside.

1. Make the drizzle: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic. Drizzle this over the asparagus and ensure all the spears are coated well.

1. Bake: Pop the baking sheet in the oven and bake for about 10-15 minutes, just until the spears start to appear tender.

1. Broil and serve: Remove the baking sheet from the oven, top with mozzarella cheese and return it back to the oven. Broil for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese melts and the spears appear slightly golden brown and crispy. Serve immediately.

We love pairing this cheesy garlic roasted asparagus with our Easy Honey Garlic Salmon Parmesan Crusted Chickenthese One-Skillet Spinach Artichoke Chicken Thighsand Roast Beef Tenderloin. It's such an easy, effortless side dish that you can pair with almost any protein. You can also team it up with some Honey Garlic Pork Chops or just a simple Crispy Garlic Roast Chicken.

To bring a little spiciness to your table, our Thai Green Chicken Curry is exactly what you are looking for.

Leftovers will last for 3-4 days when stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can then reheat it in a preheated oven for a few minutes until it is nice and warm.

Recipe FAQ's

Oven temperature is key when it comes to getting the good texture. Make sure you preheat the oven before you add the asparagus, and broil it towards the end for a few minutes to get that golden brown, slightly crispy texture.

You can! Make sure you preheat your Air Fryer and don't overcrowd the basket. This will ensure that the hot air circulates through the basket and cooks the asparagus evenly.

If you're only able to find slightly thicker stalks of asparagus, use them. You'll just need to cook them for a few extra minutes.

Watch It Being Made

What you need

• 1 pound asparagus spears woody ends removed
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon garlic minced, or 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cracked pepper
• 1 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese

Method

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet with nonstick cooking oil spray.
2. Arrange asparagus on baking sheet. Set aside.
3. In a small bowl mix together olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Drizzle the oil mixture over the asparagus and toss to evenly coat.
4. Bake for 10-15 minutes until vibrant and just beginning to get tender.
5. Remove from oven and top with the mozzarella cheese. Return to oven and broil (or grill) until the cheese melts and becomes golden (about 4-5 minutes).
6. Adjust salt and pepper, if needed. Serve immediately.