This is the best Oven Roasted Asparagus. Made with olive oil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, this simple side dish is absolutely delicious. It is the absolute best way to prepare Asparagus.
Baked Asparagus makes the perfect side dish to any dinner recipe! Even picky kids delight in the crispy, salty cheesiness of this oven baked vegetable. My favorite meals to pair this vegetable with are Baked Salmon and Chicken Marsala.
Roasted Asparagus
Asparagus has to be one of my all time favorite vegetables. While I love asparagus anyway I can get it, steamed, boiled, in a frittata, in a stir fry, and even raw, roasting is in my opinion the best way to prepare this vegetable.
Roasting the asparagus makes the center tender, and the ends a bit crispy. As it roasts, the natural sugars are developed and the slightly bitter flavor that asparagus can have is mellowed out completely.
While it needs nothing more than olive oil and salt to roast, when garlic is added to the mixture and the roasted asparagus is finished with freshly grated Parmesan Cheese and the zest and juice of a fresh lemon, this vegetable become worthy of a restaurant menu.
The baked asparagus is crispy, tender, salty, acidic, fresh, and tangy. While the preparation is simple, the end result is a masterpiece.
How to Trim Asparagus
The bottoms of asparagus need to be trimmed off before baking. This part is woody and tough–not at all pleasant to eat.
The best way to trim asparagus is to hold one piece from both ends and gently bend the stalk. It will snap right at the portion of the stalk that needs removal. You can do this for each and every stalk, but that is not necessary. Use the one stalk as a guide as to where to cut the remaining bunch.
How to Roast Asparagus
Dress your asparagus right on the sheet pan. You can toss the vegetable evenly with olive oil, salt and garlic and then spread out evenly on the sheet pan. This will save you an extra dish to wash.
Pro-Tip: Be sure to spread out your asparagus in a single layer. If you overlap the asparagus they will steam and not roast.
How long you bake asparagus depends on a few factors.
- Oven Temperature
- Desired Crispiness
- Thickness of Asparagus
The higher the temperature of your oven, the faster the asparagus will roast. I prefer roasting asparagus at 425 degrees Fahrenheit. The high heat crisps up the tips of the asparagus in the time it take for the vegetable to get tender. If you prefer your asparagus less crispy, roast at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can purchase asparagus in a all diameters, but thin is best. It cooks up a lot faster is much less bitter. If you happen to have thicker asparagus, you may need to roast for an additional couple minutes.
More Roasted Vegetables
Roasting vegetables brings out their natural sweetness, while adding a crispy exterior which is a great contrast to a tender inside. I prefer Roasted Vegetables to steamed any day and they make a great side dish to a variety of meals. They are also delicious chopped up and added to a salad.
For the most flavorful asparagus, be sure to try out this recipe. It is perfect for Easter Dinner, a date night in, or a side dish for a family meal. And let me know in the comments how much you enjoyed it!
Oven Roasted Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus spears trimmed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper.
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon
Instructions
- Preheat an oven to 425 degrees.
- Place the asparagus on a large rimmed baking sheet. Add the olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic and toss to coat the asparagus. Spread out evenly on the baking sheet in single layer.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until just tender.
- Remove from oven. Grate fresh Parmesan cheese and lemon zest over roasted asparagus and drizzle with fresh lemon juice. Toss to combine and then serve.
Equipment Needed
Notes
- You will need about ½ fresh lemon for this recipe. Be sure to use fresh lemon juice, not jarred lemon juice for the best flavor.
- To trim asparagus, grab one stalk of asparagus with both hands. Bend until it snaps. It will naturally snap where it starts to get tough. Use that as a guide to trim the remaining bunch of asparagus.
- If you prefer your asparagus less crispy and just tender, roast at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-18 minutes.
- Thin asparagus is best if you can find it. It cooks up a lot faster is much less bitter. If you happen to have thicker asparagus, you may need to roast for an additional couple minutes.
Roasted asparagus is one of my favorite side dishes — love this recipe! I think fresh lemon makes all roasted veggies better.
YAY! I am glad you enjoyed the addition of the lemon!
This was amazing. Finally a green veggie my family will willingly devour!
That is what I call winning Krystle! Thanks for sharing a review!