Baked Asparagus with Cheese and Breadcrumbs

Baked asparagus with cheese and breadcrumbs is a simple but tasty dish that combines fresh asparagus, seasoned breadcrumbs, garlic, lemon, and olive oil.  This easy side pairs perfectly with any variety of main courses, but is especially great for holidays!

We’re big fans of veggies in our home and we truly believe that the simpler they are, the better.

While asparagus is so good grilled or roasted with just a bit of olive oil, we also love it topped with a simple breadcrumb mixture to add texture and flavor.

Baked asparagus with cheese and breadcrumbs is easy to make and great for the holidays alongside ham, turkey breast, or leg of lamb.  

It’s also perfect with a ribeye steak, or as a side to a potato frittata – it really is so versatile!

How to make it

Each number corresponds to the numbered written steps below.

1. Preheat the oven to 400f and set the rack to the middle level.  Remove the ends from 2 pounds of asparagus, grate 4 cloves of garlic, and zest enough lemon for 2 teaspoons of zest (about 1 lemon).  

2. Combine the grated garlic with a 1/2 cup of olive oil in a small bowl and set aside.
3. Mince a 1/2 cup of parsley, grate 1/3 cup of Pecorino Romano, and juice enough lemon to yield 2 tablespoons of juice.  In a medium-sized bowl combine 1/3 cup of plain breadcrumbs with the Pecorino, parsley, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of Sicilian oregano, 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1/4 cup of dry white wine.

4. Spoon half the garlic oil mixture onto a baking sheet and evenly distribute. 
5. Place the asparagus on top of the garlic-oiled pan and season with salt and pepper to taste. 

6. Sprinkle the seasoned breadcrumb mixture on top of the asparagus.
7. Drizzle the remaining garlic oil on top of the breadcrumbs and asparagus.

8. Bake the asparagus for 25 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are brown and the asparagus is tender.  If more color is desired, broil the asparagus for 1-2 minutes but watch carefully to help prevent burning. Sprinkle the lemon zest onto the asparagus right before serving along with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.  Enjoy!

Variations and substitutions

As always, we encourage you to take this recipe and tweak it to make it your own.  Here are a few variations to consider.

• Wine.  We used a dry white wine for this recipe but if you prefer to not use alcohol, omit it entirely.
• Pine nuts. Lightly toasted pine nuts would add additional flavor and texture and would make a wonderful addition to this dish.
• Cheese. We used Pecorino Romano for our baked asparagus but you could use parmesan instead.  Just note that Pecorino tends to be saltier so you may need to adjust salt levels if using parmesan instead.  A crumble of feta at the end would also be great!

More great sides

Veggies make such wonderful sides and here are a few of our favorites!

• Baked artichoke hearts – with seasoned breadcrumbs.
• Baked cauliflower – with cheese and breadcrumbs.
• Broccoli rabe – with garlic and oil.

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