Baked Asparagus with Cheese Recipe

A guide to the easiest and fastest method for how to cook the asparagus in the oven. Baked asparagus is all done in 20 minutes and has the perfect crisp-tender texture. The addition of melted cheese and crispy crumbs on top take it over the top!

I always grab a bag of asparagus when I’m shopping since it makes such an easy side dish to go with so many options for dinner or even breakfast (with egg on top? Yum!).

Preparation is simple, the ingredient list is short and the flavor is amazing! I made it with cheese and crispy crumbs on top, but you can make delicious baked asparagus with just asparagus, oil, salt, and pepper. It doesn’t need much dressing up, but cheese makes everything better, right ;)?

Why baking asparagus is the easiest way to cook it

Cooking the asparagus on a stove-top, in a pan, steaming, or even blanching it in water requires constant attention from you.

Cooking the asparagus in the oven is a very hands-off, easy, and sure way to get perfectly crispy-tender spears instead of mushy and flavorless ones. Being able to control the done-ness, and being able to cook lots of asparagus at once, for a crowd, for example, are just a few of the benefits.

Also, it frees up the cook top if you’re making more than one thing at a time.

Recipe at a glance:
How to Bake Asparagus with Cheese 

For a detailed recipe and ingredient list see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Combine the oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
• Trim the woody ends of the asparagus.
• Toss the asparagus with the oil/garlic mixture on a rimmed baking sheet.

How long to cook asparagus?

It is best to cook asparagus at high temperatures in order to lightly roast the outside without overcooking the inside. 425F – 450F is the optimal temperature to achieve that. Crisp-tender is the texture you’re looking for. Overcooked asparagus is limp, mushy, and is not only less flavorful, but also very unappealing visually, so try to avoid overcooking it.

• At 425F to 450F the asparagus should be baked for 10-15 minutes. Depending on the thickness of the asparagus spears it might take more or less time. For really thin spears it might only take only 7-8 minutes even, and for the thickest spears, it can take the full 15 to 18 minutes. But the average will be between 10-15 minutes.

Keep in mind, depending on how many pounds of asparagus (serving one or a crowd) the bake time will vary. Crowding a baking sheet will mean longer bake time. Cooking only a few asparagus spears at a time with lots of space for hot air to circulate around each spear will mean less baking time.

Other delicious Side Dishes to try:

• Fluffy Mashed Potatoes
• Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
• Roasted Bell Peppers marinated with tangy dressing and sweet onions