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Hello! I’m Anjali. I’m a board certified health coach, author, wife, mom and food lover from the SF Bay area (now living in Seattle, WA!); with a passion for delicious food and a desire to make healthy eating easy, tasty and fun! Learn more about me here and stay for a while!

Anjali Shah

Cheesy Baked Asparagus With Mozzarella

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Cheesy Baked Asparagus with mozzarella and parmesan is an amazing dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer or a side dish. Quick, easy and full of freshness and flavor.

easy cheesy baked asparagus recipe with mozzarella, parmesan and tomatoes in a white baking dish

This recipe is for asparagus fans everywhere. I love asparagus year round, and while it’s in season in the Spring and Summer, sometimes I can get really great tasting asparagus in the fall and winter too!

Most often I roast asparagus on aluminum foil with a bit of olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. But sometimes I’m looking for a recipe that’s just a bit more special and decadent.

This Cheesy Baked Asparagus recipe is the perfect side dish if you’re looking for something hearty and flavorful. According to my whole family, it’s the best side dish to serve no matter the season! If you love asparagus and cheese as much as I do, you will absolutely devour this recipe.

Latest Recipe Video!

This dish is so pretty to serve if you have guests over for a spring or summer celebration. It does not have a long prep time which will allows you to have more time with your guests. It’s perfect as an informal nibble or as part of a bigger spread!

👩‍🍳 Why This Recipe Works

  • Easy Side Dish
  • Simple Recipe
  • Healthy Comfort Food
  • Fresh Flavors
  • Super Cheesy
  • Easy Recipe
  • Vegetarian Friendly
  • Low Carb Asparagus Recipe
  • Gluten-Free

🥘 Ingredients

This easy cheesy garlic asparagus requires just a handful of ingredients easily found at your local grocery store! For the full ingredient list and nutritional information, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

ingredients for cheesy asparagus bake

Fresh Asparagus: You’ll need 2 pounds of asparagus spears. Use fresh and trimmed asparagus. The woody ends of the asparagus can be tough. Be sure to remove the tough ends by bending at the bottom of the spear. The easiest way to know where the asparagus becomes tough is to snap the spear in two. Where the end snaps off is where the asparagus becomes tough.

Olive Oil: Just a little bit of olive oil is needed to coat the spears. Another option is to use melted butter.

Fresh Garlic Cloves: Mince your garlic and combine with the asparagus.

Whole Milk: To give this recipe an ultra creamy and decadent feel, the asparagus is cooked in whole milk. You can opt for heavy cream, however this will increase the calories and fat. I went with a whole milk because you still get the decadent creaminess, but a reduced amount of fat and calories.

Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Season to your taste preference. For additional seasoning, try adding some Italian seasoning to taste.

Mozzarella Cheese: Keeping this cheesy vegetable bake on the healthy side, I opted for 1/2 a cup of low-fat shredded mozzarella cheese. Feel free to add more if you desire. Mozzarella is a naturally reduced fat cheese.

Parmesan Cheese: Use fresh shredded parmesan cheese for best results, rather than the kind you find in the canister. This will melt and combine to create a nice and creamy finish. You can also use asiago or gruyere cheese.

Red Pepper Flakes or Chopped Tomato (optional): For some added color and flavor, add a dash of red pepper flakes, and a chopped fresh tomatoes for serving.

🔪 Instructions

Preheat Oven & Trim Asparagus: Preheat oven to 400 degreed F. Wash and chop 2 pounds of asparagus. The ends of asparagus can be tough. Bend the asparagus until it snaps in two. The lower portion is the tough part you’ll want to discard.

asparagus on a cutting board

Add Asparagus to 9×13 Baking Dish: Place asparagus in a 9×13 baking dish. It is okay if they are not in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil, add minced garlic, and top with salt and pepper. Toss to combine and evenly coat.

veggies in a baking dish

Add Milk & Cheese: Pour the milk evenly over the asparagus. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and parmesan over the top.

cheese added to casserole

Bake: Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes at 400 degrees F, or until the cheese is golden brown and begins to bubble. Garnish this cheesy asparagus bake with red pepper flakes and fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy!

easy cheesy baked asparagus recipe with mozzarella, parmesan and tomatoes in a white baking dish

❓Recipe FAQs

How do you trim asparagus?

One way to trim asparagus is to trim cut at the place where the stalk turns from white to green. The lower part of the asparagus is tough. If you trim each stalk individually rather than all at the same time you’ll ensure that each stalk is tender from top to bottom.

How do you know when asparagus is done cooking?

Asparagus should be tender yet firm when cooked properly. It should be bright green in color. When bent, the asparagus should snap in half. If it bends without snapping it’s overcooked.

How do you store and keep this recipe?

Allow this asparagus cheese bake to come to room temperature. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to reheat, warm in the microwave.

Will kids enjoy cheesy baked asparagus?

My kids love asparagus! This cheesy asparagus recipe is not spicy, and has a nice fresh flavor. If you have smaller kids, you can cut up the asparagus into tiny bite-sized pieces for your child. Kids will also enjoy the melty mozzarella and parmesan on top that makes it “cheesy” and comforting for kids!

Is baked cheesy asparagus healthy?

Typically no, this would be more of a comforting side dish than a healthy recipe. But we have made a few swaps to make it healthier than the original! Here’s how:

Lower in Fat and Calories: While this recipe is a cheesy baked asparagus, it is made healthier by using whole milk rather than heavy cream, and using low-fat cheese such as mozzarella and parmesan.

Low Carb: This dish only has 3 grams of net carbohydrates per serving, making it keto friendly!

Fiber and Protein: Asparagus is naturally high in fiber. One serving of this asparagus dish contains 2 grams of fiber which helps with digestion.

👪 How To Serve

This is a beautiful cheesy side dish or appetizer. Serve alongside some of these other suggested side dishes or appetizers.

Looking for a main dish that pairs well with steamed asparagus? Give some of these a try for a complete meal!

💭 Expert Tips

  • Use the freshest asparagus you can find.
  • Double the ingredients if you are serving a group!
  • If you are making this for little kids, you can cook the asparagus slightly longer and cut it up into small bite-sized pieces to make them easy for little ones to eat.
  • Feel free to broil this dish for 1 minute after it has finished baking to get the cheese even more golden brown and crispy.
  • Add more or less cheese to your liking. And feel free to add some bread crumbs on top for additional texture!
one serving of easy cheesy baked asparagus recipe with mozzarella, parmesan and tomatoes on a white plate

🥧 More Healthy Side Dishes!

LOVE THIS RECIPE? Please leave a 5-star rating 🌟 in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page!

You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more delicious, healthy, family-friendly food, and if you have any questions, I’m here to help!

📋 Recipe Card

🎥 Watch How to Make It

https://youtu.be/OQJDTon4i5g
easy cheesy baked asparagus recipe with mozzarella, parmesan and tomatoes in a white baking dish
Print Recipe
5 from 12 votes

Cheesy Baked Asparagus

Cheesy Baked Asparagus with mozzarella and parmesan is an amazing dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer or a side dish. Quick, easy and full of freshness and flavor.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 91kcal
Author: Anjali Shah

Ingredients

For the Asparagus:

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degreed F.
  • Wash and chop 2 pounds of asparagus. The ends of asparagus can be tough. Bend the asparagus until it snaps in two. The lower portion is the tough part you'll want to discard.
  • Place the trimmed asparagus in a 9×13 baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil, add minced garlic, and top with salt and pepper. Toss to combine and evenly coat.
  • Pour the milk evenly over the asparagus.
  • Add the shredded mozzarella cheese, and parmesan over the top.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes at 400 degrees F, or until the cheese is golden brown and begins to bubble. Top with red pepper flakes. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Use the freshest asparagus you can find.
  • Double the ingredients if you are serving a group!
  • If you are making this for little kids, you can cook the asparagus slightly longer and cut it up into small bite-sized pieces to make them easy for little ones to eat.
  • Feel free to broil this dish for 1 minute after it has finished baking to get the cheese even more golden brown and crispy.
  • Add more or less cheese to your liking. And feel free to add some bread crumbs on top for additional texture!
  • Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 91kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 225mg | Potassium: 271mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g

    22 responses to “Cheesy Baked Asparagus With Mozzarella”

    1. What a way to enjoy asparagus! The shredded parm adds the perfect punch of flavor to finish things off. Everyone loved them!5 stars

    2. Served this with dinner and it was a hit all around the table! Quite possibly the best way to enjoy asparagus; even my picky eaters loved this dish!5 stars

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