Asparagus Roasted and Topped with Smoky Gouda Sauce

Ingredients

• 8 ounces fresh asparagus, trimmed
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup half-and-half
• ½ teaspoon dry mustard
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 8 ounces shredded Gouda cheese

Step 1

Lightly heat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lay the asparagus out in a single layer on a large baking sheet, sprinkle with some salt, and drizzle a bit of olive oil over it. Give everything a quick toss to make sure the spears are nicely coated. Pop the baking sheet into the oven and roast the asparagus until it’s tender, which should take about 10 minutes.

Step 2

While the asparagus is roasting, melt some butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and whisk it together until it forms a smooth, golden paste—this will take around 2 minutes. Slowly pour in the half and half, then add a pinch of mustard powder and paprika. Keep whisking for a couple more minutes until the mixture starts to thicken.

Step 3

Add the smoked Gouda cheese to the pan and stir until it fully melts and the sauce becomes nice and creamy, about 5 minutes. Once the asparagus is done roasting, transfer it to a serving plate and spoon the warm, smoky cheese sauce over the top. Serve right away and enjoy!