Pesto Asparagus | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous 3-ingredient side dish that's perfect for #holiday menus. So easy & a great way to serve #asparagus. #glutenfree #parmesancheese

Pesto Asparagus

Teresa Ambra

Gluten Free Living – 2014

Pesto Asparagus is so simple and easy, yet incredibly delicious. And when I say simple, I mean S-I-M-P-L-E as in 3-ingredients and super quick and easy. This satisfying casserole has pesto sauce, parmesan cheese and asparagus. That’s it!

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How can something so simple be so tasty? Oh contraire, it really is. The first time I made this recipe I was trying to throw a meal together with only stuff I had on hand. I looked in my cupboards and freezers and refrigerators and found plenty of cheese (any flavor as I keep cheese well-stocked in the freezer constantly). I had a bag of frozen asparagus and two jars of Pesto sauce sitting on one of my shelves. I thought, why not?

I didn’t do anything really spectacular or difficult here. I poured frozen asparagus into a baking dish. Mixed some pesto with parmesan cheese and just kind of spread it over the top and baked it. After it had been in the oven about 30 minutes or so (covered), I pulled it out of the oven and stirred the pesto/parmesan mixture into the asparagus. That was it. But the taste was amazing.

The next time I made this recipe I used fresh asparagus. Oh my, the difference was incredible. If you’re an asparagus lover, you’ve got to try the fresh version.

While I used a store-bought pesto sauce, I’m sure if you had tons of basil in your garden and wanted to make homemade pesto sauce it would turn out even better. For those of you who have gardens this summer and you are scratching your heads trying to figure out new recipes to use to serve asparagus, give this simple recipe a try sometime.

I liked it so much I would even recommend it for holiday baking when you’re making up all those yummy casseroles for Thanksgiving or Christmas or New Years. Besides all that, it’s gluten free, healthy and low calorie. And, did I say it was quick, easy and simple? 😉

When I initially posted this recipe in April 2014 I didn’t bother taking pictures with my good camera. I really wasn’t expecting the casserole to turn out quite as wonderfully as it did. I recently remade Pesto Asparagus for our Friday night care group (May 2017) and served this tasty side dish along with Beef Teriyaki, Popovers and Pina Colada Earthquake Cake (since one of our gals was having a birthday). Everyone raved over this asparagus and wanted the recipe! Can’t beat that for three ingredients. 🙂

Pesto Asparagus | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous 3-ingredient side dish that's perfect for #holiday menus. So easy & a great way to serve #asparagus. #glutenfree #parmesancheese

Pesto Asparagus is a scrumptious side dish with wonderful flavor.

Pesto Asparagus | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous 3-ingredient side dish that's perfect for #holiday menus. So easy & a great way to serve #asparagus. #glutenfree #parmesancheese

Pesto Asparagus is mouthwatering yet very simple.

Pesto Asparagus | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous 3-ingredient side dish that's perfect for #holiday menus. So easy & a great way to serve #asparagus. #glutenfree #parmesancheese

Pesto and Parmesan cheese really spruce up this delicious vegetable. It’s also gluten free.

Here’s what I did.

Pesto Asparagus | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous 3-ingredient side dish that's perfect for #holiday menus. So easy & a great way to serve #asparagus. #glutenfree #parmesancheese

I used these ingredients.

Pesto Asparagus | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous 3-ingredient side dish that's perfect for #holiday menus. So easy & a great way to serve #asparagus. #glutenfree #parmesancheese

Wash asparagus. Cut off the bottom third of the stalk and place in a greased 9×13″ glass baking dish. (I only used two bunches of asparagus).

Pesto Asparagus | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous 3-ingredient side dish that's perfect for #holiday menus. So easy & a great way to serve #asparagus. #glutenfree #parmesancheese

Place pesto sauce and parmesan cheese in a mixing bowl.

Pesto Asparagus | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous 3-ingredient side dish that's perfect for #holiday menus. So easy & a great way to serve #asparagus. #glutenfree #parmesancheese

Stir to combine.

Pesto Asparagus | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous 3-ingredient side dish that's perfect for #holiday menus. So easy & a great way to serve #asparagus. #glutenfree #parmesancheese

Spread pesto sauce mixture over top of asparagus. Cover with foil.

Pesto Asparagus | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous 3-ingredient side dish that's perfect for #holiday menus. So easy & a great way to serve #asparagus. #glutenfree #parmesancheese

Bake at 350 for about 30-45 minutes or until asparagus is fork tender. Stir gently before serving.

Pesto Asparagus | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous 3-ingredient side dish that's perfect for #holiday menus. So easy & a great way to serve #asparagus. #glutenfree #parmesancheese

 Serve with your favorite entree.

Pesto Asparagus | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous 3-ingredient side dish that's perfect for #holiday menus. So easy & a great way to serve #asparagus. #glutenfree #parmesancheese

Pesto Asparagus is the perfect side dish for big holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter if you’re able to find asparagus. It’s so easy to prepare that it doesn’t make a lot of extra work for the cook!

Here’s the recipe.

PESTO ASPARAGUS

(My own concoction)

Pesto Asparagus | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous 3-ingredient side dish that's perfect for #holiday menus. So easy & a great way to serve #asparagus. #glutenfree #parmesancheese

Pesto Asparagus

Teresa Ambra
Pesto Asparagus is an over-the-top recipe your family is sure to enjoy! This marvelous 3-ingredient recipe is big on taste but very simple and easy to prepare. Great for company or holiday casseroles, too, since this recipe only takes about 5 minutes to prepare. Gluten free.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Veggie/Casserole/Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 12
Calories 51 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9x13" glass baking dish with lid, or use foil
  • 1 small mixing bowl
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • measuring cups
  • 1 sharp knife to cut asparagus
  • measuring spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 2 bunches fresh asparagus discard the bottom third of the stalk
  • 2 oz. jar pesto sauce any kind
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350.
  • Spray a 9x13" glass baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Place asparagus into dish.
  • Mix pesto and parmesan cheese in a small mixing bowl and spread over top of the asparagus.
  • Cover with lid or foil and bake about 30-45 minutes or until asparagus is fork tender.
  • Remove from oven.
  • Stir to combine.
  • Sprinkle with salt and pepper, if desired.

Notes

© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 51kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 3gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 119mgPotassium: 159mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 698IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 62mgIron: 2mg
Keyword asparagus, casserole, gluten free, pesto, side dish, vegetable
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

[b]Pesto Asparagus[/b]
 
Recipe Type: Veggie/Casserole/Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Author: Teresa Ambra – my own creation
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
Marvelous 3-ingredient recipe that’s big on taste but very simple and easy to prepare. Great for holiday casseroles, too, since this recipe only takes about 5 minutes to prepare. This recipe is gluten free.
Ingredients
  • 16-oz. pkg. frozen asparagus (or use fresh asparagus using only the top half of the stalk)
  • 2-oz. pesto sauce (any kind)
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Spray a 1 ½-qt. glass baking dish with cooking spray.
  3. Place asparagus into dish.
  4. Mix pesto and parmesan cheese and spread over top of the asparagus.
  5. Cover with lid or foil and bake about 30 minutes or until asparagus is fork tender.
  6. Remove from oven.
  7. Stir to combine.
  8. Sprinkle with salt and pepper if desired.
Pesto Asparagus | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous 3-ingredient side dish that's perfect for #holiday menus. So easy & a great way to serve #asparagus. #glutenfree #parmesancheese

Pesto Asparagus was fantastic. I highly recommend this delicious dish for holidays.

Pesto Asparagus | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous 3-ingredient side dish that's perfect for #holiday menus. So easy & a great way to serve #asparagus. #glutenfree #parmesancheese

Simple, quick, easy, and three-ingredients! This recipe is a keeper.

You may also enjoy these delicious recipes!

Skinny Roasted Asparagus

Skinny Roasted Asparagus | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Wow this 6-ingredient #recipe is something special! #Asparagus made this way is heavenly. It uses a 6-cheese blend that's fantastic. Terrific for company or #holiday dinners. #Healthy, #LowCalorie & #GlutenFree. #ItalianCheeseBlend #SkinnyRoastedAsparagus #HolidaySideDish #MothersDay #FathersDay

Cream of Asparagus Soup

Cream of Asparagus Soup | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Asparagus Mushroom Chowder

Asparagus Mushroom Chowder | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this easy & delicious 30-minute #soup recipe is fantastic. It's perfect for weeknight dinners when you're short on time. Plus, it's heavenly comfort food on cold winter days. #asparagus #corn #glutenfree #peas #mushrooms
Pesto Asparagus | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous 3-ingredient side dish that's perfect for #holiday menus. So easy & a great way to serve #asparagus. #glutenfree #parmesancheese

Pesto Asparagus

Teresa Ambra
Pesto Asparagus is an over-the-top recipe your family is sure to enjoy! This marvelous 3-ingredient recipe is big on taste but very simple and easy to prepare. Great for company or holiday casseroles, too, since this recipe only takes about 5 minutes to prepare. Gluten free.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Veggie/Casserole/Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 12
Calories 51 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9×13" glass baking dish with lid, or use foil
  • 1 small mixing bowl
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • measuring cups
  • 1 sharp knife to cut asparagus
  • measuring spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 2 bunches fresh asparagus discard the bottom third of the stalk
  • 2 oz. jar pesto sauce any kind
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350.
  • Spray a 9×13″ glass baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Place asparagus into dish.
  • Mix pesto and parmesan cheese in a small mixing bowl and spread over top of the asparagus.
  • Cover with lid or foil and bake about 30-45 minutes or until asparagus is fork tender.
  • Remove from oven.
  • Stir to combine.
  • Sprinkle with salt and pepper, if desired.

Notes

© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 51kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 3gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 119mgPotassium: 159mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 698IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 62mgIron: 2mg
Keyword asparagus, casserole, gluten free, pesto, side dish, vegetable
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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