Roasted Asparagus – Easy Side Dish Recipe (2024)

This quick and easy recipe for oven-roastedasparagusis the perfect spring side dish. This basic recipe can be seasoned many different ways—add lemon juice, garlic, or shaved parmesan for variations.

Roasted Asparagus

Roasted Asparagus is a super easy side dish that goes well with almost anything, like poultry, steak,baked ham, and pork. They’re great for a quick weeknight dinner or any holiday, like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter. For more healthy asparagus recipes, try my Grilled Asparagus, Parmesan Asparagus Fries, and Grilled Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus.

Why You’ll Love This Roasted Asparagus Recipe

• Easy: It doesn’t get much easier than this asparagus recipe. Just prep and season the asparagus and throw them in the oven.
• No Chopping Required: You only have to snap the tough ends off the spears.
• Quick: Since asparagus are so thin, they only need about 10 minutes to roast, which is much faster than many other veggies.
• Nutritious: These healthy roasted asparagus are packed with vitamins A, C, and K and iron. They’re also a great source of protein and fiber.

How to Roast Asparagus

This simple method will give you tender-crisp asparagus in about 10 minutes. I spritz them with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast them.

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Trim the tough ends of the asparagus spears, usually about 1 to 2 inches from the bottom or where they easily snap off.
3. Place the asparagus on a baking sheet in a single layer, spritz with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper or any other desired seasonings.
4. Toss the asparagus gently to coat them evenly.
5. Roast the asparagus in the preheated oven for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the asparagus spears.
6. Check the asparagus periodically and remove them from the oven when tender and lightly browned. You can test their doneness by piercing them with a fork or a knife. They should be easily pierced but still have some firmness.

How Long to Roast Asparagus

The cooking time for roasting asparagus can vary depending on the size of the asparagus spears and the desired level of doneness. At 400°F or 425°F, cooking time can take 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the spears’ thickness. If your asparagus are soggy, you cooked them too long. So, it’s a good idea to check
them around 9 or 10 minutes.

Roasted Asparagus Ideas and Variations

• Lemon: After the asparagus are roasted, squeeze some fresh lemon juice or zest a lemon on top.
• Cheese: Top the veggies with 1 ounce of shaved parmesan or crumbled feta cheese.
• Melted Cheese: Sprinkle the asparagus with mozzarella or Swiss cheese in the last minute of cooking and let it melt for cheesy asparagus.
• Garlic: Add a minced garlic clove to the spears before roasting.
• Seasoning: Switch up the flavor by using lemon pepper, red pepper flakes, onion powder, or garlic powder.
• Vinegar: Drizzle with balsamic or red wine vinegar.

What to Serve with Roasted Asparagus

This roast asparagus recipe is versatile and would be great with any protein and starchy side dish. Below is a list of ideas.

• Poultry: Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets, Grilled Chicken Breast
• Seafood: Pesto Salmon, Air Fryer Shrimp, Grilled Crab Legs
• Pork: Air Fryer Pork Chops, Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin, Baked Honey-Mustard Ham
• Meat: Air Fryer Steak, Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri, Roast Beef
• Sides: Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Corn on the Cob, Rice Pilaf

More Asparagus Recipes You May Enjoy:

• Asparagus with Lentils and Poached Egg
• Chicken and Asparagus Lemon Stir Fry
• Chicken Teriyaki Asparagus Stir Fry
• Grilled Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
• Roasted Asparagus with Dijon Vinaigrette