How do you cook asparagus so it doesn't get soggy?

Overcooking It Because it only takes a few minutes to cook, keep a close eye on it to avoid soggy, limp stems as the outcome. To avoid overcooking, take it out of the oven or off the stove a minute or so before you think it's done . Another way to prevent overcooking is to shock the asparagus in an ice bath.

What's the best way to cook asparagus?

Heat a skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Cut 6 to 8 cleaned and trimmed medium asparagus spears into 2-inch lengths. Add olive oil or butter to pan; when hot, add asparagus, season generously with salt and pepper and cook about 3 to 4 minutes, until bright green, shaking or stirring the pan frequently.

Is Pickled asparagus good for you?

Pickled asparagus is full of fiber and probiotics, which makes it great for digestion . Asparagus, in general, is a great, healthy, and delicious vegetable source of Vitamin B6, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.

How long does it take to cook asparagus in the oven at 350?

Directions Trim asparagus, and season: Snap off and discard tough ends of asparagus; place asparagus on a lightly greased baking sheet. Drizzle evenly with olive oil; sprinkle evenly with garlic, salt, and pepper. ... Roast asparagus: Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes or to desired degree of tenderness. Mar 11, 2024

Does asparagus get softer the longer you cook it?

Does asparagus get softer the longer you cook it? Yes, it does . But you don't want to cook it too long or it will be soggy. That's fine when using in a soup, but not so much as a roasted side.

Should asparagus be washed before baking?

One thing you definitely don't want to do is wash asparagus before storing it —the added moisture will cause the spears to get slimy. When you're ready to cook, just give them a quick rinse under cool running water and pat them dry with a kitchen towel, as Pradhan recommends.

Why is my asparagus tough after cooking?

Lignin is not softened by heat, so it remains fibrous and tough after cooking . To eliminate lignin, snap (don't cut) the end of each spear just before cooking. It will break right at the point where the stalk becomes tender. Do this just before cooking so you leave no time for asparagus to accumulate yet more lignin.

What does eating asparagus do to your body?

Asparagus is a good source of dietary fiber, which plays an important role in digestion . Insoluble dietary fiber acts as a prebiotic, feeding important gut bacteria, while soluble dietary fiber helps wash “bad” cholesterol out of your system. Asparagus is also a good source of: Vitamin A.

Is it healthy to eat a lot of asparagus?

Asparagus is rich in minerals and vitamins A, C and folic acid. It's a fibrous vegetable that may support a healthy gut, as well as help to lower blood pressure. For these reasons, it can be considered a healthy addition to any diet .

Is asparagus an anti inflammatory?

Yes, asparagus is also naturally anti-inflammatory! Asparagus can effectively reduce inflammation in your body through a compound called polyphenols. It also contains essential vitamins like C and E, which also work to diminish inflammation.

How do you keep asparagus fresh and crisp?

Stand the spears upright in a glass containing 1-2cm of water, cover with a plastic bag and store in the fridge . If space is an issue, wrap the spears in a clean, damp tea towel and store in the crisper section of the fridge. This way your asparagus spears will stay crisp for up to three days.

Why are the tops of my asparagus mushy?

Signs Your Asparagus Has Gone Bad The stalks will go from bright green and firm to dull-colored and limp when it's starting to reach its expiration date. By the time the tips turn black, you'll notice they're completely mushy and probably smell a little funky, too.

Cheesy Baked Asparagus Gratin Recipe (2024)

Jessica Randhawa
November 17, 2020

4.81 from 88 votes

Last Updated November 17, 2020 | 13 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

Jump to Recipe

Made with a handful of simple ingredients like fresh garlic, cream, and two kinds of cheese, this Cheesy Baked Asparagus Gratin is rich, creamy, and super easy to prepare. Enjoy this easy and delicious creamy baked asparagus recipe with your favorite dinner or as a side at your next holiday gathering.

This is, hands down, the most delicious baked asparagus recipe you will ever make.

In fact, I may even go so far as saying that it is one of my top five favorite side dishes – right up there with my mashed sweet potatoes, creamed corn, shredded Brussels sprout salad, and glazed carrots.

If you’re looking for a fast and delicious side dish recipe to serve for the holidays or with your favorite weeknight baked chicken, you’ll love this asparagus recipe!

What You Need

asparagus
fresh garlic
red chili flakes (optional)
heavy cream
parmesan Cheese
mozzarella Cheese
fresh thyme

A couple of notes before I move on to the cheese.

First, this recipe calls for a pretty fantastic amount of fresh garlic (at least if you’re asking me). If you’re not a garlic lover, or you hate the lingering smell of garlic breath, then you may want to consider scaling back a wee bit.

Best Cheese for this Asparagus Gratin Recipe

You’ll notice that I used mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese in this recipe. I choose mozzarella because it’s a fantastic melting cheese (pizza, anyone?) and pretty mild in flavor. Parmesan, on the other hand, is much bolder in flavor (one of my favorites) and, like mozzarella, is readily available at all supermarkets.

Other fantastic cheeses for this recipe include,

Gruyère
Fontina
Taleggio

How to Make Cheesy Baked Asparagus Gratin

Lucky for all of us food-loving people, this is one seriously easy recipe.

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Wash, dry, and trim the ends of each asparagus spear (about 1/2 to 1-inch).
Transfer the asparagus to an oval 9″x13″ baking dish (or equivalent) and toss with the slivered garlic, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and fresh thyme.
Drizzle the heavy cream over the asparagus and sprinkle with the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Transfer to the oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes.
Once the 20 minutes is complete or the asparagus is nearly tender, set your oven to broil. Allow the asparagus and cheese to broil for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 1 minute. Best enjoyed immediately.

In other words, dump everything in an oval baking dish and bake until asparagus is tender and cheese is bubbly.

Why you’ll love this Creamy Baked Asparagus

It’s the perfect harmony of healthy baked with guilty, creamy, cheesy goodness.
The garlic. Yes, my friends. Keep a pack of gum or breath mints nearby because there is a lot of garlic in this mighty side dish and it is worth everylast clove.
Prep takes just 5 minutes!
Speaking of prep…you can easily prepare this side dish ahead of time and pop it in the oven 20 minutes before dinnertime.
Your kid may just learn to love asparagus…but don’t take my word for it, my child still refuses to come anywhere near the stuff.

More Side Dish Recipes,

10 Minute Garlic Bok Choy Recipe

Peas and Pancetta- Easy Holiday Side

Creamy Grape Salad Recipe

Maple Roasted Delicata Squash Recipe

Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

If you try making thisCheesy Baked Asparagus Gratin Recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know!I always love to read your thoughts and feedback!

RECIPE CARD

Cheesy Baked Asparagus Gratin

4.81 from 88 votes

AuthorAuthor: Jessica Randhawa

Made with a handful of simple ingredients like fresh garlic, cream, and two kinds of cheese, this Cheesy Baked Asparagus Gratin is rich, creamy, and super easy to prepare.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Save

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 6 as a side

Calories 201 kcal

Ingredients

▢ 2.5 pounds asparagus - woody ends trimmed
▢ 8 cloves garlic - slivered
▢ ½ teaspoon salt
▢ ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
▢ ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
▢ 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
▢ ½ cup heavy cream
▢ 1 cup mozzarella cheese - freshly grated
▢ ½ cup Parmesan cheese - freshly grated

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Transfer asparagus to an oval 9"x13" baking dish. Sprinkle with the slivered garlic, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and fresh thyme. Gently toss the asparagus to distribute the garlic evenly among the layered asparagus spears.
Drizzle the heavy cream over the asparagus and sprinkle with the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Gently shuffle the asparagus spears to distribute some of the cheese among the lower layers of the asparagus.
Transfer to the oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until asparagus spears are tender and cheese is melted.
Set oven to broil. Allow the cheese to broil for 1-2 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 1 minute. Best enjoyed immediately.

Jessica's Notes

Feel free to substitutethe heavy whipping cream with half and half, if desired.
Recipe adapted from delish

Originally published November 27, 2018

Nutritional Information

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)

Keyword Baked Asparagus Gratin, Baked Asparagus Recipe, Cheesy Baked Asparagus

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