This Balsamic Oven Roasted Asparagus recipe is the perfect side dish for dinner! This easy asparagus is loaded with flavor and topped with tomatoes, cheese, and pesto.
I have spring fever guys! The winter is dragging on and on for me and I am desperately craving fresh produce. This Balsamic Oven Roasted Asparagus recipe is the perfect side dish to pair with steak, chicken or a soup for a lighter option. This asparagus is coated in balsamic vinegar, and cheese the baked with tomatoes for a healthy and tasty combination.
Finally, top the baked asparagus with my homemade basil pesto, cheese, and fresh basil for the perfect finish. As an added bonus this vegetarian side is ready in only 20 minutes and super simple to make. I hope you love this fresh and tasty balsamic roasted asparagus!
Kitchen Tools
- A Large Cookie Sheet: I love using a large baking sheet so all the veggies can be in an even layer. If you are making a smaller batch you can use a backing dish instead.
- A Pairing Knife and Cutting Board
- Tongs or a Spatula
Ingredients
- Fresh Asparagus: Fresh asparagus is necessary for this roasted veggie recipe. I do not recommend using canned for frozen asparagus.
- Tomatoes: I prefer using cherry, grape or another smaller type of tomato. Alternatively, you could use a large tomato and dice it. The texture of the tomatoes will be a bit different, but the flavor will still be similar.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese and Fresh Parmesan
- Olive Oil
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Minced Garlic
- Fresh Basil
- Balsamic Glaze (Optional for Topping)
- Homemade Basil Pesto: I adore topping this baked asparagus recipe with my homemade basil pesto. The sauce adds the perfect earthy touch and pairs great the the tomatoes and asparagus.
How to Roast Asparagus in the Oven
- Snap or cut the bottom 1-2 inches off each piece of asparagus. Next, slice the cherry tomatoes in half.
- Place the asparagus, tomatoes on a large cookie sheet then top with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and minced garlic. Toss everything together and make sure the veggies are evenly coated.
- Top the asparagus with shredded mozzarella then place on the center rack of the oven then bake at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes until the asparagus is bright green and the tomatoes are soft.
- Remove the veggies from the tray and place on a serving dish and top with freshly grated Parmesan, fresh basil, balsamic glaze, homemade basil pesto and enjoy warm with main dish of choice.
Quick Tip
Try your best not to overcook the asparagus. Roast it until it is bright green and soft. There is nothing worse than mushy asparagus, so it the tomatoes need more time to blister then you can remove the asparagus and bake the tomatoes a bit longer.
Check out these Other Side Dish Recipes
Spinach Apple Salad
Buffalo Smashed Potatoes
Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
Red Pesto Pasta Recipe
Kale Caesar Salad Recipe
Leftover Storage
To store balsamic baked asparagus place cooked baked asparagus in a airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Balsamic Roasted Asparagus is best right after it is cooked, but will work for meal prep. To re-warm the asparagus, place in the microwave and heat for 30 seconds or until warm. Alternatively, place in the oven and heat at 325 degrees F for 10-15 minutes until warm.
Also, I recommend adding additional fresh basil, grated Parmesan and homemade basil pesto over top once re-warmed. I do not recommend freezing this recipe, because the texture of the oven roasted asparagus is chewy when defrosted.
Pairing Ideas
I love pairing this healthy balsamic asparagus with loads of recipes. This vegetarian side is versatile and can work for dinner parties, meal prep or a side for family weeknight dinners. Some of my go-to recipes to pair with this roasted asparagus recipe are:
Pepper Crusted Steak: For the meat lovers! This fancy steak dish is perfect for a date night in and pairs wonderfully with this roasted asparagus.
Grilled Goat Cheese Sandwich: This vegetarian sandwich option is great for a lunch to incorporate leftover balsamic roasted asparagus with.
Grilled Chicken Spiedini: A summer grill must-have! this tasty grilled chicken is great for the whole family and a great main to pair with this asparagus recipe.
Vegan Black Bean Soup: A wonderful vegan soup that is a lighter option to pair with this side and works for lunch or dinner.
BBQ Chicken Salad: A hearty summer salad that goes great with a side of this healthy roasted asparagus and tomatoes.
I hope you and your family love this Balsamic Baked Asparagus with Tomatoes and Mozzarella! This dish is always a favorite side to any dinner recipe.
Happy Eating!
Balsamic Oven Roasted Asparagus Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Bunch Asparagus
- 1/3 Cup Mozzarella Cheese Shredded
- 1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes
- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 3 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
- 1/2 Tsp Sea Salt
- 1 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 3 Cloves Garlic Minced
For Serving
- Fresh Basil Leaves
- Balsamic Glaze
- Homemade Basil Pesto Sauce Or your favorite store-bought brand
- Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Snap or cut the bottom 1-2 inches off each piece of asparagus. When you bend the asparagus it will snap naturally about an inch from the bottom. Next, slice the cherry tomatoes in half.
- Place the asparagus and sliced tomatoes on a large cookie sheet then top with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and minced garlic. Toss everything together and make sure the veggies are evenly coated. Finally, top the asparagus with shredded mozzarella.
- Place veggies on the center rack a preheated oven and bake at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes until the asparagus is bright green and the tomatoes are soft. Once cooked, remove the veggies from the tray with tongs and place on a serving dish and top with freshly grated Parmesan, fresh basil, balsamic glaze, basil pesto and enjoy warm with main dish of choice.
Notes
Leftover Storage
To store oven roasted asparagus place cooked asparagus in a airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Balsamic Roasted Asparagus is best right after it is cooked, but will work for meal prep. To re-warm the asparagus, place in the microwave and heat for 30 seconds or until warm. Alternatively, place in the oven and heat at 325 degrees F for 10-15 minutes until warm.Nutrition
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