Ina Garten’s Dreamy Asparagus Cacio e Pepe Recipe

Asparagus Cacio e Pepe transforms ordinary vegetables into a culinary masterpiece that promises pure elegance.

This sophisticated Italian-inspired dish blends crisp green stalks with rich, creamy cheese in a symphony of flavors.

Delicate yet robust, the recipe celebrates simplicity and sophistication simultaneously.

Mediterranean influences shine through each carefully prepared bite, revealing layers of nuanced texture and taste.

Green spears become extraordinary when treated with respect and minimal intervention.

Passionate food lovers will find themselves captivated by this stunning side dish:

Why Asparagus Cacio e Pepe Is a Green Twist on a Classic

• Elevate Simple Vegetables: Transform ordinary asparagus into a gourmet dish with minimal effort, turning a basic side into a restaurant-worthy experience that will impress dinner guests.
• Master Quick Sophistication: Achieve a luxurious Italian-inspired recipe in just 15 minutes, combining professional culinary techniques like blanching and roasting with elegant cheese and seasoning.
• Celebrate Fresh Flavor Layers: Enjoy a harmonious blend of textures from crisp-tender asparagus, creamy melted cheese, bright lemon juice, and rich buttery notes that dance together in every delightful bite.

Everything You’ll Need for Asparagus Cacio e Pepe

• Asparagus: Fresh, tender spears with bright green color and firm texture, ideal for roasting.
• Butter: Rich, melted butter adds flavor and helps crisp the asparagus.

• Pecorino Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty Italian cheeses that melt beautifully and enhance the asparagus flavor.

• Kosher Salt: Provides primary seasoning and enhances overall taste.
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground pepper adds a warm, spicy note to the dish.
• Fleur de Sel or Sea Salt: Delicate finishing salt that adds a subtle crunch and bright flavor.
• Lemon: Fresh citrus juice that brightens the roasted asparagus and cuts through the rich cheese.

How to Cook This Bright, Cheesy Dish

Step 1: Prepare The Oven

Heat the oven to a sizzling 450°F. Make sure the rack is centered for perfect roasting.

Step 2: Ready The Asparagus

Fill a large pot with water and add salt.

Trim the tough asparagus ends and gently peel the bottom section using a vegetable peeler.

Carefully lower asparagus into boiling water and cook for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp.

Quickly drain and pat dry with clean kitchen towels.

Step 3: Season And Arrange

• Melted butter
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Pecorino cheese
• Parmesan cheese

Transfer asparagus to a baking dish. Drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.

Create a beautiful diagonal arrangement of spears.

Shower the asparagus with grated Pecorino and Parmesan cheeses.

Step 4: Roast To Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven.

Roast for 5 minutes until cheese becomes golden and bubbly.

Step 5: Final Touch

Remove from oven and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top.

Dust with fleur de sel for an elegant finish.

Serve immediately while warm and crispy.

Tips for Tender Asparagus and Bold Pepper Flavor

• Grab Fresh Asparagus: Select thick, vibrant green spears with tightly closed tips for maximum flavor and satisfying crunch.
• Master the Blanching Technique: Perfectly cook asparagus in boiling water for just 3-4 minutes, creating a tender-crisp texture that holds up beautifully during roasting.
• Dry Like a Pro: Thoroughly pat asparagus dry after blanching to prevent steam and ensure crispy, golden roasted edges that deliver incredible texture.
• Butter Coating Magic: Melt butter completely before tossing with asparagus, allowing every single spear to get an even, luxurious flavor-packed layer.
• Cheese Salt Balance: Start with a light hand when adding salt, remembering the Pecorino and Parmesan bring natural saltiness to this delicious dish.

Keeping This Dish Fresh for Later

• Vacuum Seal: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer to remove air completely from the storage container. Prevent freezer burn and maintain the original flavor intensity for up to 2 months, keeping your Asparagus Cacio e Pepe tasting just as delicious as the day you made it.
• Quick-Chill Method: Spread the dish on a wide, flat plate immediately after cooking to rapidly lower its temperature. This technique stops bacterial growth and preserves the delicate texture of asparagus and creamy cheese sauce, ensuring optimal taste and safety.
• Portion Preservation: Divide leftovers into individual serving sizes before storing. Small containers make reheating easier, reduce waste, and allow you to enjoy a perfect single serving without compromising the dish's quality each time you want a quick meal.

Fun Additions to Play with Flavors

• Green Herb Elevation: Add chopped fresh basil, parsley, and chives to enhance the herbal notes and create a brighter, more vibrant flavor profile.
• Pancetta Crunch: Crisp diced pancetta and sprinkle over the roasted asparagus before adding cheese for a salty, meaty dimension that complements the vegetables.
• Spicy Mediterranean: Incorporate red pepper flakes and a drizzle of good quality olive oil to introduce a warm, zesty Mediterranean-inspired heat to the dish.
• Nutty Parmesan Upgrade: Mix toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds with the cheese before roasting, adding a rich, crunchy texture and deeper nutty undertones.

Green Veggie Cacio e Pepe Roundup

Culinary magic emerges when simple ingredients dance together, creating Ina Garten’s asparagus cacio e pepe.

Roasted asparagus transforms into an elegant side dish with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Crisp green spears receive a luxurious cheese coating that melts into golden perfection.

Mediterranean influences shine through Pecorino and Parmesan’s rich, salty embrace.

Lemon’s bright acidity cuts through the richness, balancing each delectable bite.

Passionate cooks will find this recipe an irresistible addition to their repertoire – share this delightful dish, spark conversation, and let your taste buds celebrate Italian-inspired simplicity.

Ina Garten Asparagus Cacio e Pepe Recipe

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4.5 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s asparagus cacio e pepe elevates classic pasta with fresh spring vegetables and rich pecorino cheese. Creamy parmesan sauce coats perfectly al dente pasta, delivering a luxurious Italian-inspired dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1½ pounds (680 grams) thick asparagus spears
• 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons freshly grated Italian Pecorino cheese
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated Italian Parmesan cheese

Seasoning Ingredients:

• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• ½ lemon (juiced)

Finishing Ingredients:

• Fleur de sel or sea salt (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot of water by bringing to a rolling boil, seasoning generously with of kosher salt.
2. Trim the woody ends from the asparagus spears and delicately peel the bottom 2 inches (5 centimeters) using a vegetable peeler to ensure tender, uniform stalks.
3. Submerge the asparagus in the boiling water, blanching for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetable reaches a crisp yet tender al dente texture, then immediately drain and transfer to an ice bath to halt the cooking process.
4. Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C), allowing sufficient time for thorough heating.
5. Transfer the blanched asparagus to a 10 × 13-inch (25 × 33 centimeters) baking dish, drizzling with melted butter and seasoning with of kosher salt and ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper.
6. Arrange the asparagus in an elegant, slightly overlapping pattern and generously sprinkle with grated Pecorino and Parmesan cheeses.
7. Roast in the preheated oven for 5 minutes, or until the cheese melts and develops a golden, slightly crispy appearance.
8. Remove from the oven and finish by squeezing fresh lemon juice over the roasted asparagus, then garnish with a delicate sprinkle of fleur de sel or sea salt before serving immediately.

Notes

• Capture Peak Freshness: Select vibrant green asparagus spears with tight, compact tips, ensuring maximum flavor and optimal texture for your roasted dish.
• Master Blanching Technique: Briefly plunge asparagus into boiling water for precisely 3-4 minutes, creating a perfect al dente foundation that maintains crisp integrity during roasting.
• Eliminate Excess Moisture: Thoroughly pat asparagus dry after blanching, preventing unwanted sogginess and guaranteeing a crisp, golden-brown finish when roasted.
• Butter Distribution Magic: Gently warm butter before coating asparagus, allowing for seamless flavor infusion and uniform seasoning across every delectable spear.
• Strategic Salt Balance: Taste and carefully season with kosher salt, considering the inherent saltiness of Pecorino and Parmesan cheeses to achieve a harmonious flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of the recipe)
• Calories: 160
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg