Cheesy Baked Asparagus
A delightful twist on a classic vegetable dish, combining fresh asparagus with a creamy cheese sauce for an irresistible side.
Ingredients
Asparagus Preparation
- 2-3 lbs asparagus, ends trimmed
- 1/2 tsp salt, to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional) Add for heat if desired.
Cheese Sauce
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided 1/3 cup for sauce, 1/3 cup for topping.
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups low moisture mozzarella cheese (or Monterey Jack, or Gruyere)
- 1/2 cup French fried onions Optional topping.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Grease a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Arrange the asparagus in the baking dish, allowing for some overlap.
- Season the asparagus with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat.
Making the Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, 1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese, onion powder, and minced garlic.
- Pour this mixture evenly over the asparagus.
Baking
- Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese and the mozzarella cheese.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, sprinkle the top with French fried onions.
- Continue baking for another 5 minutes or until the asparagus is crisp-tender and the cheese is bubbly. Adjust the baking time if you prefer your asparagus softer.
- Allow the dish to stand for 5 minutes before serving. Drizzle with any remaining sauce from the baking dish.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave. For smaller servings or variations, mix in other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms.