Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus is a quick and simple side dish using fresh asparagus. A perfect use for your garden asparagus and easy enough to prep ahead of time!
When it comes to quick and easy side dishes that can be prepped ahead of time, this Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus makes a great choice.
I recently found myself the proud owner of more prosciutto than I knew what to do with.
Over the course of a few days I ended up making several dishes that all featured Prosciutto for my family and all of them turned out fantastic.
Prosciutto isn’t an ingredient I generally keep on hand.
However after trying this Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus, it will soon become a staple.
I love the simplicity of this dish.
The rich earthy flavor of the Asparagus mixed with the saltiness of the prosciutto make a fabulous combination.
Then top it all with the nutty flavor of shredded Parmesan cheese and you’ve got yourself one very tasty side dish.
The funny thing is that for all of my childhood and a good bit of my adult life I’ve proclaimed that I don’t care for asparagus.
My parents grew it in our garden growing up and loved it.
But we kids refused to eat it.
Asparagus is one of that great perennial vegetables.
Every year without any effort from you, it comes back.
It’s a fabulous vegetable that you plant once and enjoy year after year vegetable.
The first time I actually really tried asparagus was at a restaurant.
It came in a chicken and pasta dish.
I was leery on trying it but figured since it was already there, and mixed in, I had better have a small nibble.
Surprisingly it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.
In fact I actually kind of liked it.
Since then I’ve not shied away from it when going out to eat but have never actually taken the time to make it myself.
So as I was pondering what to make with my prosciutto, I remembered that I had seen on a menu once Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus.
Once the thought entered my head, I was determined to whip it up.
This Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus was so much easier than I expected and absolutely delicious.
However after almost 15 years of marriage I learned that my husband had never EVER tried it.
Or at least he couldn’t remember trying it.
Shocked that he had never had it I made him take a bite and as expected, he was not a fan.
I on the other hand really liked it.
So simple and delicious and the flavors of the salty and earthy mixed so well together.
This Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus is now a favorite side dish.
I love how I can prep it ahead of time and then pop it in the oven or pan fry it right before we sit down to eat.
If you love asparagus and are looking for a new and fresh recipe, I hope you’ll try this one!
Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 pound of asparagus
- 8 ounces prosciutto
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1/8 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400*F
Wash and dry asparagus.
Cut off tough bottom 1" of asparagus and discard.
Take one slice of prosciutto and slice it in half length wise.
At an angle wrap prosciutto around asparagus. The Prosciutto will stick to itself. You can wrap a single asparagus or put 2 or 3 together and wrap a little bundle.
Continue wrapping until all asparagus is covered.
Place asparagus on a greased or lined cookie sheet.
Drizzle olive oil over the asparagus. Don't get heavy handed as a little goes a long ways.
Bake in oven for 4 minutes, then give pan a little shake to roll asparagus to cook other side.
Cook for additional 4 minutes or until asparagus is cooked through and prosciutto is crispy.
Remove from pan and place in serving dish.
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Serve Immediately.
Notes
If you'd rather pan fry the asparagus, follow steps 2 - 5. Then place oil in a skillet and heat to medium heat. Place asparagus spears in skillet and cook for approximately 4 minutes, turning once. Cook in batches to not overcrowd the pan.
Liz Heath
Thursday 1st of March 2018
Janelle shared the asparagus wrapped with prosciutto with me and I am now a big fan, loved it.