Description
A delightful side dish featuring fresh asparagus roasted to crisp-tender perfection, infused with garlic and topped with bubbly, melted mozzarella cheese for a cheesy, savory finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Asparagus
- 1 lb. asparagus, fresh and trimmed
Seasoning and Toppings
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 415 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with foil, dull side facing up for easy cleanup.
- Prepare Asparagus: Trim the woody ends off the asparagus, rinse them under water, and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure even roasting.
- Season Asparagus: Drizzle the olive oil over the asparagus and sprinkle with minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Use clean hands to massage the seasoning all over the asparagus evenly.
- Arrange and Roast: Lay the asparagus on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, leaving some space between the stalks. Roast in the oven for 15 minutes, or until they are crisp-tender and bright green, adjusting time depending on thickness.
- Add Cheese: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the roasted asparagus.
- 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 melts and becomes bubbly and slightly golden.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve immediately while warm and gooey.
Notes
- Use thicker asparagus stalks for a meatier texture, but adjust roasting time accordingly if thinner.
- For a sharper flavor, swap mozzarella with Parmesan or a blend of Italian cheeses.
- Massage seasoning gently but thoroughly to coat each stalk evenly.
- Keep a close eye during broiling to prevent the cheese from burning.
- Consider adding a squeeze of lemon juice before serving for a fresh, tangy finish.
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
