Cheesy Baked Asparagus

This oven-roasted Cheesy Baked Asparagus is a rich yet effortless dish that elevates your side options all year long. Perfect for holiday gatherings or peak summer produce, it’s a delicious way to get kids excited about eating their veggies.

Ingredients to Make Cheesy Baked Asparagus Recipe

There are few vegetables I dislike. When I do dislike one, it’s often connected to the method of preparation and not the vegetable itself. While I love roasted. grilled or steamed asparagus, canned asparagus never darkens the shelf of my pantry. Ever. The soft, yes mushy, texture does nothing to add to its appeal. It seems many people’s first experience with asparagus was the canned variety, and it turns them off for life. I think this cheesy asparagus is one that may just win them over using just a few simple ingredients. Ingredients you’ll need to make easy baked Asparagus: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card.)

• Fresh Asparagus – Fresh asparagus works best for this recipe.
• Cheese – Shredded mozzarella cheese plus Parmesan cheese for added flavor.
• Liquid – Heavy cream forms the base of the rich sauce.
• Seasonings – Salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes and onion powder.
• Garlic – Fresh garlic cloves amp up the flavor.
• Topping – Crushed french fried onions add texture and crunch.

How to Make the Best Cheesy Baked Asparagus Recipe

• Heat Oven and Prepare Dish – Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
• Prep Asparagus – Remove the woody ends of the asparagus spears.
• Transfer Asparagus Spears to Dish and Season – Arrange asparagus in dish. Some may overlap. Season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes.
• Make the Cream Sauce – Whisk together cream, Parmesan, onion powder and garlic. Pour evenly over asparagus.
• Cheese Topping – Sprinkle top with remaining 1/3 cup Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
• Oven – Place into the oven and bake for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, sprinkle the top with french fried onions. Continue to bake another 5 minutes or until crisp tender and bubbly. Bake longer for softer texture.
• Serve – Let stand for 5 minutes, then serve, drizzled with sauce.

Tips for Making Baked Asparagus

• Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need: 13×9-inch baking dish, sharp knife and cutting board, whisk, small bowl, cheese grater, measuring cups and spoons.
• Choose Asparagus that’s Uniform in Size: Fresh asparagus comes in varying thickness. When choosing a bunch, pick one that has similar sized stalks for even cooking.
• Remove Woody End: It’s important to remove the woody part of the stem from the asparagus. It’s fine to use it for adding flavor to vegetable stocks or soups, but it’s not very appealing to eat. Hold the stalk in your hand then bend gently. It will naturally bend at the part of the stalk to break. Break or use a sharp knife to remove that portion prior to cooking.
• Sauce: The asparagus will naturally release liquid while baking, this is a normal part of the cooking process. You can expect the sauce to be a bit thinner due to that.
• Adjust the Baking Time: It’s important to adjust the baking time according to the thickness of the asparagus used. Slender stalks will take much less time to bake.

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

• Cheese: You can adapt the flavor of the shredded cheese used to suit your taste. Asiago cheese, gruyere cheese, swiss cheese or sharp cheddar cheese. Whatever cheese you like, will be delish!
• Make-Ahead Tip: You can assemble this cheesy baked asparagus several hours in advance, then bake it just before serving for a timesaver. When doing so, allow 15 minutes on the counter to warm to room temperature prior to baking.
• Salt: Parmesan cheese is naturally salty. You may choose to omit adding any more to the asparagus, if preferred. 
• Toppings: You may choose to top this dish with panko breadcrumbs, Italian seasoned bread crumbs or omit the topping altogether, if you want to keep this dish keto friendly.

Storage and Leftovers

• Storage: Store leftovers chilled in and airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• Reheating: Reheat leftovers gently in the microwave or in individual portions. You can also reheat in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or just until heated through.
• Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing this dish as the sauce may break down and separate when thawing.

More Delicious Side Dish Recipes to Make

• Cheesy Cabbage Casserole elevated cabbage to a side dish the whole family will love.
• Creamed Potatoes and Peas are a retro dish that never gets old.
• Creamed Spinach is a steakhouse favorite.
• This crunchy Chopped Salad is an ideal side dish for any meal.
• Cajun Mac and Cheese is creamy and flavorful.
• Sweet and tangy Red Cabbage.
• This Boursin Pasta can double as a side dish or an entrée.
• Irish Colcannon features creamy mashed potatoes and tender cabbage in every bite.
• Air Fryer Asparagus with Lemon and Parmesan is a tasty low carb option from Kalyn’s Kitchen.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• 13×9-inch Dish
• Cutting Board
• Cheese Grater
• Kitchen Utensils