The first asparagus of spring has that little something magical: it signals the return of lighter meals, lingering aperitifs, and simple dishes full of character. These gratinéed asparagus rolls with prosciutto and smoked cheddar capture that spirit perfectly.
Fresh out of the oven, the prosciutto turns lightly crispy, the cheese melts and coats the asparagus, which stay pleasantly crisp. It's savory and indulgent without feeling heavy.
Perfect as a starter, for aperitif, or as a side to grilled fish or white meat, these rolls also have the advantage of being as beautiful as they are delicious.
A simple dish that always makes an impression at the table.
How to choose your ingredients
As with many short recipes, everything depends on the quality of the ingredients.
Asparagus
Choose firm spears with smooth, crisp stalks.
Avoid any that are soft, wrinkled, or yellowing.
For even cooking (and a more elegant result), go for asparagus of similar size.
Prosciutto
Opt for a high-quality, thinly sliced prosciutto. You can also switch things up with Bayonne ham or Serrano ham for a different touch.
Cheese
Here, you want character. Smoked cheddar works beautifully, but a local cheese like Tête à Papineau from Fromagerie Montebello adds depth and a nice regional touch.
More asparagus recipes
3 easy steps to make these asparagus rolls ahead of time
These rolls can easily be made in advance in just three simple steps:
- prepare the asparagus and form small bundles
- add the cheese
- wrap everything in prosciutto
When ready to serve, bake for about ten minutes, just enough to melt the cheese and lightly crisp the prosciutto.
The result: a warm, flavorful, no-stress dish that tastes like spring in every bite.
Prosciutto wrapped asparagus with smoked cheddar
3 easy steps to make these oven-baked asparagus rolls with prosciutto and smoked cheddar. You can serve them as an appetizer or a side dish.
Ingredients
- Approximately 24 medium-sized asparagus spears
- 6 slices of prosciutto
- Smoked cheddar (to taste)
- Olive oil for cooking
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° F.
- In the meantime, wash the asparagus and cut off the stalks to remove the fibrous part. If needed, peel the asparagus with a vegetable peeler.
- On a baking sheet covered with parchment paper, place the asparagus and coat with a little olive oil.
- Make bunches of 4 to 5 asparagus, depending on their size. You can also cut them in half if they are too long.
- Place a strip of cheese on each bundle.
- Wrap a slice of prosciutto around each bundle of asparagus and cheese.
- Bake in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted, the prosciutto is grilled and the asparagus is cooked (but still a little crunchy).
Notes
Rolls can be served on a bed of salad or arugula drizzled with olive oil and a balsamic vinegar reduction.
Makes about 6 rolls.
Marie-Noël Ouimet is a writer and content creator specializing in gastronomy, wine, and travel. She is the founder of the digital magazine Urbaine City, where for over 10 years she has been highlighting the pleasures of the table and the destinations that bring them to life. She also holds the WSET Level 3 certification in wines and spirits.
