How long do leftovers keep?

Store cooled asparagus in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, spread asparagus on a large baking sheet and bake at 350° F for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. (Any remaining blue cheese may melt in the oven - leave it as is or add some fresh blue cheese crumbles after the asparagus is reheated!) You can also dice up leftover cheesy bacon asparagus and mix it into a frittata, quiche, or omelette (these leftovers are excellent in our easy leek frittata !) We do not recommend freezing this recipe as it can alter the texture too much.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Yes! Omit the bacon and sauté asparagus in a Tablespoon of butter or olive oil instead of the bacon fat. If you skip the bacon, we recommend adding some chopped, toasted nuts (walnuts, almonds, and pistachios are all good) as a topping so you still have plenty of that crispy texture.

Bacon Blue Cheese Asparagus

Name: Bacon Blue Cheese Asparagus
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 strips thick-cut bacon, diced; 1 pound asparagus, ends trimmed (about 12-14 large spears, often the amount that comes in one bunch at the grocery store); salt to taste; 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese

Description

This simple bacon and blue cheese asparagus is easy to make but elegant enough for holidays and date nights!

Ingredients

Scale

2 strips thick-cut bacon, diced
1 pound asparagus, ends trimmed (about 12-14 large spears, often the amount that comes in one bunch at the grocery store)
salt to taste
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Cook the Bacon:

Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced bacon and cook, stirring frequently, for 6-10 minutes until crispy.
Use a slotted spoon to transfer crispy bacon bits from the skillet to a small bowl. Set aside.
Carefully pour excess bacon fat from the skillet into a separate bowl or measuring cup, leaving a thin layer (about 1-2 teaspoons) of fat in the skillet. Save or discard this extra bacon fat.

Cook the Asparagus:

Return skillet to the stove over medium-high heat. Add asparagus and a pinch of salt. Cook, flipping occasionally, for 8-10 minutes until asparagus is bright green and lightly charred. Asparagus spears should be softened and cooked through but should still have a bit of a bite to them at the center. Note: If you like your asparagus softer or more well-done, you can extend the cook time here.

Assemble:

Transfer cooked asparagus to a serving platter. Top with the crispy bacon you made earlier and a sprinkle of crumbled blue cheese. Serve immediately.

Notes

Additions and Substitutions. Use green beans, broccoli, or another favorite seasonal veggie instead of asparagus here if you like. Swap the blue cheese for gorgonzola, goat cheese, feta, or parmesan. Add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, hot honey, or a squeeze of lemon juice to the finished dish for extra flavor. Top with toasted nuts (walnuts, almonds, pistachios) or caramelized onions. Omit the bacon and cook the asparagus in a bit of butter or olive oil for a vegetarian dish.

Cooking time may vary slightly depending on the size of your asparagus spears - just keep an eye on it while it cooks!