This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure Policy.

Tender roasted asparagus with crispy ends topped with melty cheese and lemon zest – this is one of my favorite side dishes and it’s super easy to throw together to go with so many dinners. After making it several times for my family (and even the kids loving it!), I decided I had to share this quick and delicious veggie recipe! Quick enough for a weeknight meal, impressive enough for company.

What Makes This Recipe So Good

Cheesy roasted asparagus is one of my all-time favorite side dishes. It’s so easy to throw together and it’s SO versatile. Serve it alongside filet mignon, marry me chicken, pork tenderloin, baked fish… the options are endless!
This recipe is perfect for anyone who’s low carb, keto, and/or gluten free. Unlike asparagus casserole, there’s zero breadcrumbs or flour here – just asparagus, salt, and melty mozzarella. It clocks in at a whopping 1g net carb per serving!
Literally everyone I know loves this cheesy roasted asparagus. Seriously, even my kids, who aren’t necessarily the most reliable asparagus-eaters you’ve ever met. I love that this is a dish that seems a little more over-the-top which makes it great for company, but it’s so simple that I can cook it on a busy weeknight for just myself and the fam.

Chef’s Tips

For more flavor, add a little minced garlic and freshly cracked black pepper to the salt and oil mixture you coat the asparagus spears in. Asparagus and mozzarella are both super versatile and taste great with a variety of seasonings, so don’t be afraid to really dress it up.
You want to avoid overcooking the asparagus, so I recommend checking their doneness after the first 10 minutes they’re in the oven. The total cook time will depend on the size and thickness of the asparagus spears, your oven, your baking sheet, elevation, etc., etc. so make whatever adjustments you need to!
To prep the asparagus, all you need to do is snap off the woody ends of the spears. That’s exactly what it sounds like. Hold an asparagus spear in the air horizontally. Where it starts to bow, that’s the spot you want to bend until it breaks off.

A portion of roasted asparagus is lifted off a baking sheet by a metal spatula, resulting in a cheese pull.

Other Side Dishes You’ll Enjoy

Overhead view of a row of roasted asparagus on a baking sheet, covered in melted cheese.

Recipe By: Cheryl Malik

Cheesy Roasted Asparagus

Prep 10

Cook 15

Total 25

Easy and delicious, this simple roasted asparagus covers tender-crisp veggies with hot melted cheese and zesty lemon for a side dish the whole family will love.

6 servings

Equipment

baking sheet
parchment paper
Large bowl
lemon zester

Ingredients

▢ 1 pound asparagus woody ends snapped off
▢ 1 tablespoon avocado oil or canola oil
▢ ¼-1 teaspoon salt or seasoning salt, see Notes
▢ 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
▢ zest of one lemon approximately 1 tablespoon

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425° Fahrenheit. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Place asparagus spears in large bowl. Add oil and salt, then toss to coat asparagus completely.
Spread asparagus spears out on baking sheet in one even layer. Place baking sheet in oven and bake 12 to 14 minutes or until asparagus is bright green and ends are slightly browned.
Remove baking sheet from oven and sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over asparagus. Turn broiler on high. Place baking sheet under broiler and broil until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove asparagus from oven. Sprinkle lemon zest over melted cheese and serve immediately.

Asparagus: Snapping off the woody ends of the asparagus spears is exactly what it sounds like. Just hold the end of the asparagus and bend it until it breaks off.
Salt: For plain salt, ¼ teaspoon should be plenty. For seasoning salt or a seasoning blend, the amount of salt the seasoning contains will affect how much of the seasoning you should use. Start with a small amount and add more only as needed depending on your preferences.
Feel free to use any seasonings you like here. A little minced garlic and freshly cracked black pepper in the oil mixture would be divine!

Approximate Information for One Serving

Serving Size: 1servingCalories: 92calProtein: 6gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 215mgPotassium: 167mgTotal Carbs: 3gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gNet Carbs: 1gVitamin A: 698IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 112mgIron: 2mg