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    Home » Side Dishes » Baked Asparagus with Ham and Cheese

    Published: Apr 6, 2023 by Carolyn

    Baked Asparagus with Ham and Cheese

    This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    4.5K shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This cheesy Baked Asparagus recipe takes the stalky spring vegetable to new heights. Roasted to perfection and smothered in melted cheddar and ham, it’s one of my favorite keto sides.

    Baked Asparagus with Ham and Cheese on a metal baking sheet.

    I have honestly made this baked asparagus recipe about 4 times in the last two weeks. I can’t get enough. And here is the honest truth: I don’t even like asparagus!

    Or perhaps I should say that I didn’t like asparagus until now. I seem to have become a huge fan overnight.

    Why I even bought that stalky green veggie is kind of a mystery to me. Our grocery stores had a run on fresh vegetables a few weeks ago, and pickings were slim. So I decided to give it another try.

    I figured I could at the very least, I could make some more of my cream of asparagus soup. That’s another recipe that surprised me with great flavor. I guess I love asparagus after all!

    A spatula lifting baked asparagus with melty cheese and ham off of the baking sheet.

    Why you will love this recipe

    Take it from a self-proclaimed asparagus hater, this is the best way to serve it! I have tried any number of ways of cooking asparagus, including grilling it. But this simple oven-baked method is my hands-down favorite.

    Simple baked asparagus is easy, fuss-free, and mess-free. And I think it bring out the best flavor, without turning your asparagus into complete mush. All it really needs is a little oil, some garlic, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

    Topping it with ham and cheese turns it from rather plain to a spectacular keto side dish. And it’s a great way to use up any leftover Easter ham you might have this year.

    Reader Reviews

    “I made this for dinner tonight! My husband and I loved it. He usually only eats the very tips of the asparagus but with this recipe, he ate it all. Thank you again. Your recipes never disappoint! ♥️♥️♥️” — Linda

    “The ONLY way to eat asparagus from now on! ???? Sooo good!” — Jennifer

    “I have wanted to love asparagus for a while now but just couldn’t love it. UNTIL NOW! This was absolutely delicious and it’s how I’ll eat it from now on. Thank you!” — Jessica

    Ingredients you need

    Asparagus, ham, and cheese on a gray table.
    • Asparagus spears: You want to use fresh asparagus, rather than frozen. Thinner spears will cook faster than the thicker varieties so be mindful of that and adjust the timing as needed. Whatever you use, be sure that the spears are of roughly the same size so they will cook evenly.
    • Oil: For roasting in the oven, I recommend avocado or extra virgin olive oil.
    • Seasoning: Garlic, salt and pepper.
    • Cheese: I used both grated cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. You can also use Monterey Jack and/or parmesan, too.
    • Cooked ham: This is a great way to use up leftover holiday ham and it adds a salty component (and more protein) to your dish.

    Step-by-step directions

    A collage of 4 images showing how to make Baked Asparagus with Ham and Cheese.
    1. Lay cleaned and trimmed asparagus on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with the oil. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper and toss to combine, then spread out into a single layer.
    2. Sprinkle with the minced garlic and bake at 450ºF for 8 minutes, until the asparagus is tender and bright green.
    3. Remove from the oven and turn on the broiler. Sprinkle the asparagus with the grated cheeses and diced ham.
    4. Return to the oven on the second highest rack position and broil 2 to 4 minutes, until the cheese is melted and beginning to brown.

    Expert Tips

    A bunch of asparagus standing up on end, tied with some cord.

    Prep the asparagus: Each spear of asparagus has a woody end that needs to be removed. This part of the asparagus is tough, dry, and not very palatable. You can use the bend and break method of removing this woody end or just cut it with a knife.

    Don’t line the pan: I recommend leaving your baking sheet unlined for this baked asparagus recipe. As long as you toss them with oil, they won’t stick to your pan and they roast faster this way.

    And then the cheese becomes all crispy and browned on the edges. You might end up standing there, picking it off and eating it before you serve!

    Watch it carefully: While asparagus is easy to cook, it’s also easy to overcook. This means you need to watch it carefully during cooking. When the color becomes bright green and the stalks are just fork tender, it’s cooked perfectly.

    Baked asparagus is best served right away, as it tends to wither a bit and become wrinkled as it sits. But while it’s less attractive looking if cooked too far in advance, it’s still just as tasty.

    Leftovers: I actually really like the leftovers warmed in the microwave to melt the cheese again. They will keep in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. I do not recommend freezing leftovers as the asparagus will turn to mush.

    A fork lifting ham and cheese baked asparagus from a plate.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is asparagus keto-friendly?

    Asparagus is an excellent choice for a keto vegetable side dish. 1 cup of chopped asparagus has only 5g of carbs per serving and 2.8g of fiber. It also contains plenty of Vitamin A and C, as well as folic acid and other antioxidants. And it cooks very quickly, becoming tender in less than 10 minutes, no matter how you cook it.

    What should I put on top of my asparagus?

    Asparagus has wonderful flavor on its own, but there are a number of different ways to enjoy it. Keep it simple with just simple salt and pepper, maybe drizzle with lemon juice or grated lemon zest. Or you can baked your asparagus with shredded cheese and ham for a decadent keto side dish.

    How many carbs are in baked asparagus?

    This baked asparagus recipe has 3.8g of carbs and 1.6g of fiber per serving. That comes to 2.2g net carbs per serving.

    Close up shot of keto baked asparagus on a rustic blue plate.

    More easy keto sides

    • Grilled Zucchini
    • Roasted Delicata Squash
    • Caramelized Brussels Sprouts
    • Zucchini Casserole
    • Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
    Baked Asparagus with Ham and Cheese on a metal baking sheet.

    Baked Asparagus with Ham & Cheese

    This cheesy Baked Asparagus recipe takes the stalky spring vegetable to new heights. Roasted to perfection and smothered in melted cheddar and ham, it's one of my favorite keto sides.
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: baked asparagus
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 140kcal

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb asparagus spears
    • 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • Salt and pepper
    • 4 ounces cheddar cheese, grated
    • 2 ounces shredded mozzarella
    • 1 ounce cooked ham diced
    US Customary – Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Wash and trim the woody ends from the asparagus. Pat dry well.
    • Lay the asparagus on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with the oil. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper and toss to combine, then spread out into a single layer.
    • Sprinkle with the minced garlic and bake 6 to 8 minutes, until the asparagus is tender and bright green.
    • Remove from the oven and turn on the broiler. Sprinkle the aspargus with the grated cheeses and diced ham.
    • Return to the oven on the second highest rack position and broil 2 to 4 minutes, until the cheese is melted and beginning to brown.
    Nutrition Facts
    Baked Asparagus with Ham & Cheese
    Amount Per Serving (1 serving = ⅙th of recipe)
    Calories 140 Calories from Fat 93
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 10.3g16%
    Carbohydrates 3.8g1%
    Fiber 1.6g6%
    Protein 9.1g18%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    4.5K shares

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    Nutritional Disclaimer

    Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.

    Reader Interactions

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    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jennifer says

      April 23, 2022 at 11:53 am

      5 stars
      The ONLY way to eat asparagus from now on! ???? sooo good!

      Reply
    2. Betsy says

      April 21, 2022 at 10:49 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect brunch food! Need to add this to the menu for Mother’s Day brunch! Super delish! Love the flavor of the cheese & ham with the roasted asparagus. So, SO good!

      Reply
    3. Jessica says

      April 21, 2022 at 6:44 pm

      5 stars
      I have wanted to love asparagus for a while now but just couldn’t love it. UNTIL NOW! This was absolutely delicious and it’s how I’ll eat it from now on. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        April 21, 2022 at 7:41 pm

        I feel EXACTLY the same way!

        Reply
    4. Cassie says

      July 24, 2020 at 6:18 pm

      5 stars
      My whole family loves this recipe. It is very adaptable to what I have on hand — different cheeses, with or without ham, or even using frozen steam-in-the-bag asparagus (steam first, then bake). Thanks for sharing all your great recipes!

      Reply
    5. Ashley F says

      April 30, 2020 at 3:31 pm

      5 stars
      I love how this takes roasted asparagus to a whole new level! So delicious!

      Reply
    6. katerina @ diethood.com says

      April 30, 2020 at 3:18 pm

      5 stars
      mmm..this looks incredibly delicious!! YUM!

      Reply
    7. April says

      April 30, 2020 at 2:52 pm

      5 stars
      What a unique way to prepare asparagus! It looks delicious – giving it a try this weekend, I’m excited!

      Reply
    8. Linda Howell says

      April 20, 2020 at 10:34 pm

      I made this for dinner tonight! My husband and I loved it. He usually only eats the very tips of the asparagus but with this recipe, he ate it all. Thank you again. Your recipes never disappoint! ♥️♥️♥️

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        April 21, 2020 at 8:26 am

        That’s good to hear!

        Reply

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