These Cheesy Asparagus are a crowd favorite.
When I was a kid, like most kids, I was not a fan of eating my veggies. No matter what the vegetable was I wouldn’t even be willing to try it. My mom tried so many different options to get me to eat vegetables, the way she was able to convince me to eat asparagus was to introduce one of my favorite things to the vegetable, cheese. I know a lot of people who enjoy cheese on broccoli, potatoes, or cauliflower, but it was this cheesy asparagus recipe that won me over to asparagus. It’s crispy, while still tender, and cheesy in all the best ways.
By blending shredded Monterey jack cheese and grated Parmesan cheese you get the rich flavor of cheeses that crisp beautifully in the oven. With lightly seasoned asparagus hiding under this blanket of cheeses it is a pleasant and inviting side dish to go with so many dinner options.
This recipe is only the beginning, you can add additional seasoning to the mix to make it pop however you’d like. I enjoy adding garlic powder to the asparagus and some crumbled bacon on top to bring all the flavors together. The fresh vibrant flavors of asparagus are so well complimented with savory cheeses and spices to give your taste buds and exciting explosion of flavor.
Why Monterey Jack and Parmesan cheeses?
There are so many cheeses in the world, some creamy, some stinky, some salty, but all tasty. With this recipe the use Monterey Jack cheese and grated Parmesan cheese, the reason these cheeses are used as opposed to other cheese alternatives some from how they blend. Monterey Jack is a mild cheese that melts very well and grated Parmesan has a saltiness and crisps to give a crunch to every bite. With that said there are always other alternatives that can be used, cheddar cheese for instance has a sharpness that could be delicious but also could take over the flavor of the dish. Mozzarella cheese would melt creamy and once again has a fairly mild flavor to it but would still work best paired with Parmesan cheese.
This dish in particular is a delicious baked side but is not the only way to have cheesy asparagus. A creamy ricotta or brie would blend well with asparagus but won’t maintain the same texture as a baked side. The moral of the story is that cheese and asparagus are wonderful companions any way you make it. So season your asparagus, combine it with cheese, and get down to business with this cheesy asparagus. This is a dish your whole family can enjoy from your grandparents to your kids it is the perfect side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Prep time – 5 minutes
Cooking time – 15 minutes
Yields – 5 servings
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2: Arrange the trimmed asparagus in a single layer in a baking dish.
Step 3: Season the asparagus with salt and pepper to your liking.
Step 4: Sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the asparagus.
Step 5: Add the grated Parmesan cheese on top of the Monterey Jack cheese.
Step 6: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly and the asparagus is tender.
FAQs & Tips
The best stalks are firm to the touch, smooth in texture, and rich in a deep green color. You want to be sure that the asparagus bunch is consistent throughout and ensure none of the asparagus is broken or wilted, it reduces the usable asparagus and can cause frustration.
If the asparagus is limp, smells funky, or tips have turned a darker green that is how you will know if it is time to toss it.
Some people wonder if it should be crunchy or soft. The answer is, shouldn’t have a crunch. It should be soft to bite into.
You’ll see the cheese has not only melted but is starting to lightly brown and bubbling, similar to a pizza. The tips of the asparagus will brown and crisp. Be sure not to over cook, if the cheese is too dark or the tips of the asparagus are starting to char you’ve over cooked the dish.
Serving Suggestions
Some things to add to the menu when serving Cheesy Asparagus are, 4-Ingredient Chili Dog Casserole, Delicious Roasted Cod, Easy Twice-Baked Potato, Easy Pulled Chicken in Red Sauce, Buffalo Chicken Sliders, and Easy Hunan Chicken. For dessert consider Two-Layered Coconut Cake, 10-Minute Microwave Peanut Brittle, Baked Strawberry Donuts with Strawberry Glaze and Fruity Pebbles Topping. Or have Cheesy Asparagus solo.
Cheesy Baked Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 bunch asparagus trimmed
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Arrange the trimmed asparagus in a single layer in a baking dish.
- Season the asparagus with salt and pepper to your liking.
- Sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the asparagus.
- Add the grated Parmesan cheese on top of the Monterey Jack cheese.
- Place the dish in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly and the asparagus is tender.
