Spring green is epitomized by the stalks of asparagus flanking each other in the grocery store or farm stand baskets. Whether thick or thin, asparagus has a way of welcoming warmer months ahead, unfolding the spring on our plates morning, noon, and night. While a classic plate of sautéed steamed asparagus is never wrong, here are nine ways to cook this springtime veggie.
Lemon Asparagus Salad
It can be the start of a meal or a side dish to the main protein, it doesn’t matter how to eat, this Lemon Asparagus Salad is a must. A bounty of spring ingredients like dill, mint, and peas complement the asparagus that’s coated in a lemony vinaigrette. Bits of crumbled feta add a creamy but sharp acidity to the salad that can easily be made ahead and ready to go in your fridge! Get the recipe details here.
Baked Asparagus Caprese
Caprese salad is seen as a summer mainstay, but it can have a springtime twist with this recipe for Baked Asparagus Caprese. Stalks of asparagus are baked alongside Italian ingredients like basil, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Layered with halved cherry tomatoes and coated with plenty of mozzarella, this baked veggie dish is packed full of the classic flavors of Italian coastal cooking alongside the bright pick-me-up of springtime asparagus. Get the recipe ingredient list and step-by-step instructions by clicking the link here.
Easy Asparagus Goat Cheese Tart
Asparagus Goat Cheese Tart sounds like something you’d get at a fancy brunch-time bistro, but it is a crazy simple dish to make that’ll stun any and everyone you serve it to. A goat cheese –crème fraĂ®che base with mixed aromatic seasonings like garlic and thyme. The filling is then spread over rolled-out puff pastry. Fresh spears of asparagus are placed on top of the cheese mixture and everything is baked until the filling is slightly golden, and the pastry is all puffed up. The result? Absolute divinity. The creamy base and flaky pastry are flavorful but allow the bright fresh elements of the asparagus to shine completely through. Curious about the recipe? Then click the link here!
Crispy Baked Asparagus Fries
Crispy, crunchy, and a hundred percent addictive. No, I’m not talking about everyone’s favorite hamburger companion of french fries, instead, I’m talking about these amazing Crispy Baked Asparagus Fries! Asparagus is coated in a flavor-packed panko seasoning and baked until golden perfection, paired with a quick lemony aioli and this side dish might overshadow our tried and true spud! Want to make these fries? Then click the link!
Asparagus Breadcrumb Casserole
While spring is always about brightness and levity, those damp, dreary, airy days sometimes require a bit of comfort and that’s where Asparagus Breadcrumb Casserole comes in. This casserole utilizes fresh asparagus as the base, which is then coated in a velvety from-scratch cheese sauce that’s infused with garlic. Baked until bubbly, this casserole might outshine the chicken or ham you have on the dinner table! Find the step-by-step instructions by clicking the link.
Shrimp & Asparagus Angel Hair Pasta
When it comes to a main dish, asparagus’ best companion is pasta, and this point shines bright and clearly with this recipe for Shrimp and Asparagus Angel Hair Pasta. After the shrimp are seared, asparagus makes it into the pan alongside a glorious combination of flavorful pantry herbs and a splash of white wine. Cooked until just tender, the shrimp and asparagus then get tossed with cooked angel hair, creating a complex flavor pasta dish that tastes restaurant-worthy. Want to make the recipe? Find the details here.
Asparagus Casserole
Everyone thinks of green bean casserole as one of the classic holiday veggie sides, but come springtime, there’s another contender in town. This recipe for Asparagus Casserole, a from-scratch sauce utilizes fresh mushrooms and plenty of creamy ingredients like sour cream, milk, mayo, and cheese, creating the canned soup’s creaminess without the canned soup’s high sodium levels. The trimmed asparagus gets added to the mix and everything gets topped with the ever-so-classic fried onions before being baked to crispy, gooey, and bubbly perfection. Get the recipe here.
Creamy Italian Baked Asparagus
Nothing sings the love language of comfort food quite like the decadent that is cream and cheese. Here, these rich elements partner up with spring’s vegetal asparagus in this recipe for Creamy Italian Baked Asparagus. Whole asparagus spears and tossed into a pool of heavy cream that’s fortified with Pecorino Romano and mozzarella. Baked until the asparagus is tender and the sauce is bubbly, this dish is comfort food with a flair of continental Italian pizazz. Find all of the details to make the recipe here.
15-Minute Garlic Butter Shrimp & Asparagus
Asparagus hits the weeknight fast lane with this recipe for 15-Minute Garlic Butter Shrimp and Asparagus. Shrimp and asparagus are fortified with shallots, garlic, lemon, parsley, and lots of delicious butter! Cooked until a sauce forms, this shrimp-asparagus is a perfect companion to a sheet pan of roasted potatoes or a plate piled high with pasta. Get the recipe here!