Cheesy Baked Asparagus with Gruyere, Garlic, and Bacon Recipe
This Cheesy Baked Asparagus recipe combines tender asparagus spears with savory Gruyere cheese, garlic, and crispy bacon, baked to perfection. It’s a delicious and easy side dish that’s perfect for any occasion, offering a delightful balance of flavors and textures.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 lb asparagus, trimmed
Seasonings and Oils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Cheese
- 1 cup Gruyere cheese (or Parmesan), shredded
Meat
- 5 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the asparagus evenly.
- Prepare Asparagus: Trim the woody ends off the asparagus and place the spears in a medium-size casserole dish. Drizzle with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the minced garlic evenly over the asparagus.
- Initial Bake: Bake the asparagus uncovered in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. This step softens the asparagus slightly and infuses the garlic flavor.
- Add Cheese and Bacon: Remove the dish from the oven. Sprinkle half of the shredded Gruyere cheese over the asparagus, then evenly distribute the chopped cooked bacon on top. Finish by sprinkling the remaining cheese over everything.
- Final Bake: Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt nicely and the bacon flavor to meld with the asparagus.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately while the cheese is hot and gooey. Adjust cooking times depending on the thickness of your asparagus and your preferred doneness—thinner spears need less time, thicker spears more.
Notes
- Thinner asparagus spears cook faster; reduce baking time accordingly.
- Thicker asparagus spears may require additional baking time for tenderness.
- For a twist, substitute Gruyere with Parmesan or another preferred melting cheese.
- Bacon can be replaced with a vegetarian substitute for a meatless version, though flavor will vary.
- Serve immediately for the best melty cheese texture.
Keywords: Asparagus recipe, baked asparagus, cheesy asparagus, Gruyere cheese, bacon recipe, easy vegetable side dish, garlic asparagus
