Description
A delightful and healthy side dish featuring roasted asparagus and cherry tomatoes drizzled with balsamic glaze and topped with melted Parmesan cheese. This Mediterranean-inspired recipe is quick to prepare and perfect for pairing with any main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 bunch fresh asparagus (trimmed)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
Seasonings and Oils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze (plus extra for drizzling)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese and Herbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Arrange Vegetables: Spread the trimmed asparagus and halved cherry tomatoes evenly on the prepared baking sheet to ensure even roasting.
- Season: Drizzle olive oil and balsamic glaze over the vegetables, then sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss gently with your hands or a spatula to coat everything uniformly.
- Roast: Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast for 15–18 minutes, until the asparagus is tender when pierced with a fork and the cherry tomatoes are blistered and slightly caramelized.
- Add Cheese: Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the hot vegetables. Allow it to sit for 2–3 minutes to let the cheese melt slightly, creating a savory topping.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish with chopped fresh basil for added freshness and flavor. Drizzle additional balsamic glaze on top before serving if desired. Enjoy warm as a side or chilled as a salad.
Notes
- This dish can be served warm as a side or chilled as a refreshing salad.
- Balsamic vinegar can be substituted for the glaze; however, reduce the amount to 1 teaspoon as vinegar is less concentrated and more acidic.
- To enhance the flavor, feel free to add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
- For a nutty twist, sprinkle toasted pine nuts on top when serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
