Description
A delicious and easy recipe for oven-roasted asparagus topped with Asiago cheese, crispy bacon, and garlic, perfect as a side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh asparagus, woody ends trimmed
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup freshly grated Asiago cheese
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, optional
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Heat the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Prepare the asparagus. Wash the asparagus and pat it completely dry. Trim off the tough, woody ends.
- Season the asparagus. Place the asparagus on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add the minced garlic and toss to coat.
- Add the bacon. Scatter the chopped bacon evenly around the asparagus. Arrange everything in a single layer so the asparagus roasts instead of steaming.
- Roast until tender. Bake for 12–15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the asparagus, until tender-crisp and the bacon is cooked. If your bacon pieces are thick, they may need additional time.
- Add the Asiago cheese. Sprinkle the grated Asiago over the asparagus and return the pan to the oven for another 2–4 minutes, until the cheese melts and becomes lightly golden.
- Finish and serve. Remove from the oven and drizzle with lemon juice, if desired. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Choose evenly sized asparagus: Thin spears cook faster, while thick spears may need a few extra minutes.
- Avoid overcrowding: Spread everything across the baking sheet to encourage browning.
- Prevent burnt garlic: For a milder garlic flavor, add half the garlic during the last 5 minutes of roasting.
- Make it extra cheesy: Add a little Parmesan along with the Asiago for a sharper, saltier finish.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven for 5–8 minutes to restore some crispness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Oven Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 15mg