The red bell peppers give this a genuinely festive look, which makes it a favorite on my holiday table. Keto cheesy baked asparagus with bacon is colorful, easy, and built from ingredients you likely already have.
This post may contain affiliate link(s). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See Disclosure.
This can be prepped ahead and baked at the last minute, which makes it a good choice when you are juggling a bigger meal. Snap the asparagus rather than cutting it, and give it a real rinse to get the sand out.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases. For more information, see my Privacy Policy.
Jump-start your keto success! Grab a copy of my 4-week Easy Keto Menu Plan or check out my other cookbooks to help you along.
Join our Facebook group for friendly keto support, and for videos on how to make these recipes, subscribe to my YouTube channel!
Chef Jenn’s Take on Cheesy Baked Asparagus with Bacon & Peppers
Snap the asparagus stalks rather than cutting them. Hold one hand below the bushy tip and the other near the end, then bend until it snaps naturally, that break point separates the tough, woody root end from the part you actually want to eat.
Rinse the asparagus thoroughly under fast running water to get the sand out of the bushy tips, working with just a few stalks at a time. To check you got it all, swish a handful of cleaned asparagus in a shallow dish of water and look for grit at the bottom, repeat if needed.
Use fresh asparagus only, frozen releases too much water and will not roast properly.
The two-stage bake matters here. Bake the asparagus alone first for about 10 minutes, then add the bell pepper, bacon, and cheese and bake another 10 to 15 minutes. That gives the asparagus a head start so the peppers do not overcook.
Good quality Parmesan makes a real difference, though cheap is fine if that is what you have. There is already plenty of salt from the bacon and cheese, but taste before serving and add a touch more if needed.
What You’ll Love About Cheesy Baked Asparagus with Bacon & Peppers
- Built from a short list of ingredients you likely already have.
- A genuinely festive-looking side, easy enough for any night of the week.
- Can be prepped ahead and baked at the last minute for easier hosting.
Ingredients
- Asparagus – Fresh, not frozen. Snap the stalks rather than cutting them.
- Bacon – Sliced, fried until crisp.
- Red bell pepper – Sliced.
- Garlic – Minced.
- Parmesan cheese – Good quality if you have it, though any Parmesan works.
- Oil – For frying.
How to Make Cheesy Baked Asparagus with Bacon & Peppers
Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.
Slice the bacon and fry until just crisp. Remove the bacon and all but 2 tablespoons of the fat. Add the minced garlic and sautee until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Trim and clean the asparagus, then toss it with the bacon fat and garlic. Transfer to an oven-safe casserole dish and bake at 400°F for about 10 minutes.
Remove from the oven and toss with the sliced red bell pepper. Top with the crisp bacon and Parmesan cheese. Bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes at 400°F, until the asparagus is tender-crisp.
Make It A Meal
Keep the meat simple alongside this, since the dish already carries plenty of flavor. Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin is a great match.
For more asparagus recipes, Asparagus with Lemon Sauce and Pan-Roasted Asparagus are both worth adding to the rotation.
Storage
This is best enjoyed fresh. Freezing and thawing asparagus causes a real loss of texture, and the dish tends to release extra water. Refrigerated leftovers keep for a couple of days.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe runs about 4 net carbs per serving. The number in the recipe card below will recalculate once this post is republished, so use it as an estimate until then.
You can make cheesy baked asparagus as simply as topping asparagus with cheese and baking it in the oven at a fairly high heat, around 400-F.
This is totally a keto friendly meal, with about XX net carbs per serving.
Absolutely! Asparagus is a great source of nutrition, and with just 4 net carbs per cup of cooked asparagus, it’s a keto friendly veggie!
Add Preferred SourceCheesy Baked Asparagus with Bacon & Bell Peppers
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds asparagus
- 1 cup red bell pepper
- 5 slices bacon
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- oil
Instructions
- 1. Slice the bacon and fry until just crisp. Remove the bacon and all but 2 tbsp of the bacon fat. Add 2 cloves minced garlic and sautee until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- 2. Trim and clean the asparagus, then toss it with the 2 tbsp of bacon fat and garlic. Transfer the asparagus, garlic and bacon fat to an oven-safe casserole and bake at 400-F for about 10 minutes.
- 3. Remove the asparagus from the oven and toss it with the red bell pepper. Top with the crisp bacon and parmesan cheese.
- 4. Bake an addition 10-15 minutes at 400-F until the asparagus is tender-crisp. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Recipe Card Tips
- Snap the asparagus rather than cutting it, to naturally remove the tough, woody root end.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove sand from the bushy tips, then double-check by swishing a handful in a dish of water.
- Bake the asparagus alone first, then add the peppers, bacon, and cheese partway through, so the peppers don’t overcook.
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed. Erythritol carbs (sugar substitutes) are not included in the carbohydrate counts as they have been shown not to impact blood sugar, and they have zero calories and zero carbs. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Want even more keto deliciousness? If you’re a fan of hearty family-friendly dishes, check out this collection of keto casseroles, and these keto soups & chowders are always a hit. Keto corned beef hash is a favorite for breakfast, and for lunch, try this hearty chaffwich sandwich.
A perfect side dish for any occasion. I love the idea of serving asparagus with peppers for a pop of color and extra flavor! Yum!
My family loves asparagus, and this recipe looks incredible! I can’t wait to make it for them. The bacon sends it over the top!
I loved the bell pepper and asparagus combo, so good! Will be making again!
Oh, I love asparagus! The combination of bacon, garlic, and parmesan makes this side dish perfect. I think I’d be happy just eating this without the main course.
Wow this looks really good. Can’t wait to try it this weekend.
I hope you love it!