This garlic roasted asparagus is an easy, flavor-packed vegetable side dish for the holidays and beyond, topped with three kinds of melted cheese and smoky crumbled bacon!
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time20 minutesmins
Total Time30 minutesmins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: asparagus and garlic, garlic roasted asparagus, roasted asparagus and garlic
Place the asparagus on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
Drizzle asparagus with olive oil and add minced garlic, salt, and pepper; toss around to combine.
Cook the asparagus for about 10 to 12 minutes or until crisp-tender.
In the meantime, cook the bacon in a skillet to a desired crispness.
Transfer bacon to a paper towel lined plate; drain, then crumble. Set aside.
Remove the asparagus from the oven and sprinkle with cheeses.
Place asparagus back in the oven and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
Remove from oven and sprinkle bacon over asparagus.
Serve.
Notes
Asparagus: Look for asparagus with firm, smooth stalks. Avoid asparagus with wilted or yellowing tips or stalks that are woody or wrinkled.
Trim the ends: Asparagus has a woody end that is tough and fibrous. To remove it, hold the asparagus spear by the ends and gently bend it until it snaps. The asparagus will naturally break where the woody part ends, and the tender part begins. Discard the woody ends.
Use high heat: Asparagus cooks best at high heat, so it's important to preheat your oven, grill, or pan before adding the asparagus. This will help the asparagus cook quickly and prevent it from becoming soggy or mushy.
Season it well: Asparagus tastes best when it is well-seasoned.
Don't overcook it: Asparagus should be tender but crisp when cooked. To test for doneness, insert a sharp knife into the thickest part of the stalk. If it goes in easily, the asparagus is done. If there's resistance, it needs a few more minutes of cooking.