Description
A delicious and easy-to-make side dish featuring fresh asparagus roasted with garlic, olive oil, and topped with melted mozzarella cheese for a cheesy, flavorful finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 lb. fresh asparagus, trimmed
Seasonings
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Cheese
- 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 under water, and pat dry with paper towels to ensure even roasting.
- Season Asparagus: Drizzle the olive oil over the asparagus and evenly season with minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Use clean hands to massage the oil and seasonings all over the stalks for full flavor penetration.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Spread the asparagus in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, making sure to leave space between stalks for even roasting.
- Roast Asparagus: Roast in the oven for 15 minutes (adjust based on the thickness of the stalks) until the asparagus is crisp-tender and bright green in color.
- Add Cheese: Remove the asparagus from the oven and evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Broil Cheese: Switch your oven setting to high broil. Return the asparagus to the oven and broil for 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve immediately while hot and cheesy for the best taste.
Notes
- For thicker asparagus stalks, increase roasting time slightly to ensure tenderness.
- Use fresh mozzarella or a blend of cheeses for a different flavor profile.
- If you prefer a stronger garlic flavor, add an extra ½ teaspoon of minced garlic.
- To keep this dish gluten free, ensure your cheese is certified gluten free.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven but may lose some crispness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
