Oven Roasted Asparagus

Made with olive oil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, Oven Roasted Asparagus is an absolutely delicious, easy side dish.

Roasted asparagus is one of my go-to side dishes. It is delicious and full of nutrients. It is perfect paired with so many entrees like Baked Salmon or Chicken Marsala.

The Best Way To Prepare 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.

Roasted asparagus is crispy, tender, salty, acidic, fresh, and tangy. While the preparation is simple, the end result is a masterpiece.

Notes on Ingredients

Asparagus needs nothing more than olive oil and salt for roasting. But when garlic, Parmesan, and lemon are added to the mix, this vegetable become worthy of a restaurant menu.

• Asparagus: You can purchase asparagus in all diameters, but thin is best. It cooks up a lot faster and is much less bitter than thicker asparagus.
• Oil: For the best flavor, I highly recommend using extra virgin olive oil.
• Parmesan: If finishing the roasted Asparagus with Parmesan cheese, it is best to use freshly grated Parmesan for superior taste. Of course, omit the Parmesan for a dairy-free option.

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

Step One: Season Asparagus

• Place the trimmed asparagus onto a rimmed sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil, garlic, and salt.
• Toss the to coat and then spread the seasoned asparagus 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. 

Step Two: Roast

• Place the seasoned asparagus into the preheated oven and roast until the base of the asparagus is fork-tender, between 9-18 minutes. The length of cook time will vary based upon the thickness of the asparagus.

➡️ Keep in mind that 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 takes for the vegetable to get tender. If you prefer your asparagus less crispy, roast at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until the asparagus is tender.

Leftover Asparagus

Leftover roasted asparagus will store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat it, it is best to heat in a 400-degree oven until just warmed through, about 5 minutes. This will prevent the asparagus from being soggy if heated in the microwave.

Leftovers are also delcious used in Asparagus Frittata or Pasta Primavera.

More Roasted Vegetable Recipes

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.

• Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
• Roasted Red Potatoes
• Roasted Broccoli
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts

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!