Oven-Roasted Asparagus (Easy Recipe)

Oven-roasted asparagus is an easy, nutritious side dish everyone will love!

This simple recipe results in asparagus that’s crispy yet tender. It’s impossible to resist.

It pairs tender stalks of nutty asparagus with Parmesan cheese and a splash of lemon juice. Sometimes, the simple recipes taste the best. 

This side dish is wonderful with everything from salmon, to chicken, to steak. The ingredients list is short and sweet, and it comes together in a snap. 

So, without further ado, get ready to fall in love with this fantastic roasted asparagus!

Roasted Asparagus 

Don’t be fooled by this stunning side dish. It may look like something from a fancy restaurant, but it’s so easy!

It only takes a few minutes to whip together or make ahead of time. 

Roasted asparagus tastes amazing on its own. It gets nice and crispy in the oven, while the insides are fork-tender. 

And when you pair the nutty flavors with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, it’s a match made in heaven. 

When it comes out of the oven, it’s so rich and fragrant, and a dash of lemon juice lifts all those rich flavors. 

It’s the perfect side dish for a summer BBQ, the holidays, or a hectic weeknight when you need a quick side. 

Ingredients 

The great thing about this recipe is the ingredient list is short. This is all you need for a show-stopping side. 

• Asparagus – Fresh is always best! Be sure to trim your asparagus, and discard the tough ends (and save them to make asparagus stock).

• Olive oil – Any oil works to help the ingredients stick, but olive oil provides more complex flavors. 

• Parmesan cheese – Save that green bottle for another day. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is a must in this recipe. 

• Sea salt and pepper – A dash of sea salt and black pepper are all you need to lift the flavor of the asparagus. Feel free to add any other seasoning you love. 

• Lemon juice – Lemon juice is entirely optional. It serves to lift the savory flavors and adds a pop of freshness. 

How to Cook Asparagus in the Oven

You won’t believe how easy this recipe is, even for kitchen newbies. Seriously, the hardest part is waiting for the oven to preheat!

The full recipe is below, but this is a quick rundown to show how easily this recipe comes together. 

1. Preheat. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. 

2. Prepare the asparagus. Wash the fresh asparagus under cool water and pat it dry. Then, trim the woody ends and discard them. 

3. Arrange it on a baking sheet. Place the trimmed asparagus in an even layer on a baking sheet and drizzle it with olive oil. Roll the stalks in the oil to ensure it coats every inch. 

4. Get cheesy. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese and seasoning on top. 

5. Bake. Place the asparagus in the center rack in the oven, and bake it for 10-12 minutes. When it is fork-tender, it’s done cooking. 

6. Garnish (optional). Take the asparagus out of the oven and garnish it with a drizzle of fresh lemon juice. Dig in!

Tips for the Best Roasted Asparagus 

Looking for some tips to ensure your asparagus is top-notch? You’ve come to the right place!

Check out these super simple tips for restaurant-quality greens. 

• Let it breathe. One of the most important steps is placing your greens in a single layer. Give those stalks room to breathe so they come out nice and crisp.

• Be generous with the oil. While the recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of olive oil, you might need more than that. Coat every inch of the asparagus so that the seasoning sticks. 

• Check for doneness. No one likes tough (or mushy) veggies. To check for doneness, pierce the asparagus with a fork. It’s ready to go when the fork pieces through easily.

Recipe Variations 

This recipe is simple, elegant, and understated. It’s the perfect complement to any meal. 

But if you want to dial up the flavor factor to an 11, check out some of these amazing variations. 

• Spice things up! Need extra spice in your life? A great way to add a zip of spice is by adding red pepper flakes. They add the perfect bite when combined with nutty Parmesan cheese and lemon.

• Get nutty. Roasted asparagus and Parmesan cheese are naturally nutty. You can make it even more nutty by placing slivers of almonds or chopped walnuts and pecans on top. When it comes out of the oven, it smells like heaven. 

• Everything is better with garlic. You can easily transform this recipe into a garlic lover’s dream. After coating the asparagus in olive oil, give it a quick toss in garlic powder. 

How to Store & Reheat

There won’t be leftovers when this recipe is on the menu. But in the rare case you have them, storing and reheating them is super simple. 

• To Store: You can store leftover asparagus for up to 4 days. Place the leftovers in an air-tight container or freezer bag, and place them in a cool section of the fridge. 

• To Reheat: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and gently rewarm the asparagus for a few minutes. 

• To Freeze: You can freeze leftover asparagus in an air-tight container for up to 4 months. Freezing this recipe is less than ideal. When you take it out of the freezer, it won’t be as crisp and delicious. 

Serving Suggestions 

This simple roasted asparagus recipe goes with just about anything. But if you’re searching for new dinner ideas, I have you covered. 

Don’t worry, these meals are as quick and easy as the asparagus recipe. 

1. Easy Crab Cakes

The nutty flavors of asparagus go together so well with the sweetness of these crab cakes! They only use a few ingredients and come together in a snap on the stove. 

You can pop your asparagus in the oven while these tasty cakes cool. 

2. Beer Can Chicken

This beer-can chicken recipe is the ultimate BBQ treat. And any impressive main course needs an equally impressive side dish. 

The smoky, tangy flavors of this beer can chicken pair perfectly with nutty veggies.

And because this asparagus recipe is no-fuss, you can spend more time babysitting your chicken on the grill!

3. Easy Sirloin Tip Steak

Steak and asparagus. Need I say more? This super simple sirloin tip steak recipe is so tender, juicy, and melts in your mouth. 

Pair it with this asparagus recipe, and it tastes like a meal from a 5-star restaurant!