Remove the dish from the oven and let the bundles rest for 3–5 minutes; this helps the bacon firm up a bit and makes them easier to serve. Transfer to a platter or serve straight from the casserole dish while hot.
For milder flavor or picky eaters, use center-cut bacon, which tends to be a bit leaner and less intense. If your family prefers extra-crispy bacon, choose very thin-cut slices and keep the bundles to 2–3 spears so the bacon has more direct heat exposure. For a heartier bite, you can instead wrap each individual spear with half a slice of bacon, cutting the strips crosswise—this gives more bacon-to-asparagus ratio without adding more ingredients. If you’d like a touch of sweetness without changing the 2-ingredient promise, you can very lightly brush the finished bundles with a tiny bit of the bacon drippings from the pan to boost flavor instead of adding sauces. To keep things low carb, serve these with simple proteins and non-starchy sides rather than bread or potatoes. Food safety tips: Always wash and dry asparagus thoroughly before cooking, and keep raw bacon refrigerated until just before you’re ready to wrap. Use a separate cutting board and knife for trimming the asparagus if you’ve handled raw meat on another surface. Make sure the bacon is cooked to at least 145°F (63°C); visually, it should no longer look raw or rubbery. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours in a shallow container, and reheat in a hot oven or air fryer until steaming to restore crispness and ensure they’re heated through.