Basic Roasted Asparagus Recipe (2024)

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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 chicken, steak, salmon,baked ham, and pork. It’s great for a quick weeknight dinner or any holiday side dish. I live in a very divided house when it comes to asparagus. Half of us love it, and the other half… not so much! But I still make this roasted asparagus and toss the leftovers in my salads, with eggs, or just heat it up for lunch. Roasting asparagus is a delicious and simple way to prepare this nutritious vegetable. Here’s a basic recipe to get you started:

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.

What You’ll Need

To make this basic recipe you will need a bunch of asparagus, olive oil or olive oil spray, kosher salt and fresh black pepper.

(See full recipe below in the recipe card.)

How to Roast Asparagus

Roasted asparagus is versatile and pairs well with a variety of dishes, making it a perfect side for weeknight dinners or special occasions. This simple method will give you tender-crisp asparagus:

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F. This temperature is ideal for roasting asparagus.
Prepare the Asparagus: Rinse the asparagus under cold water to clean then dry. Trim off the tough woody ends of the asparagus spears. This can be about 1-2 inches from the bottom, or you can find the natural breaking point by gently bending the spear until it snaps.
Season the Asparagus: Place the asparagus on a rimmed baking sheet. Spray with oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Arrange for Roasting: Spread the asparagus in a single layer on the baking sheet. Make sure there’s a little space between the spears so they roast properly rather than steam.
Roast: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Roast for about 12-15 minutes, or until the asparagus is tender and lightly browned. Thinner spears will cook faster, so adjust the time accordingly.
Serve: Once done, you can optionally squeeze a bit of lemon juice over the asparagus for a fresh zing or top with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for a savory finish. See more ideas below.

Roasted Asparagus Ideas and Variations

Lemon: After the asparagus stalks 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 vinegar.
Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of chives, parsley or basil at the end adds freshness and flavor.

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
Pork: Air Fryer Pork Chops, Baked Honey-Mustard Ham
Meat: Air Fryer Steak,Roast Beef
Sides: Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Corn on the Cob, Baked Potato

Leftovers

Store asparagus in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can reheat in the microwave 1 to 2 minutes.

What is the best way to cook asparagus?

I find roasting asparagus in a 400F oven for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness, will give you perfect asparagus every time.

How long does it take for asparagus to cook at 350F?

To roast asparagus at 350F, it will take 12 to 18 minutes, depending on the thickness.

Why you shouldn’t cut the ends off asparagus?

There’s nothing wrong with cutting off the woody ends, but you can also easily snap them off instead.

Asparagus: A Superfood for Digestive Health, Immunity, and Beyond

Asparagus is indeed a superfood, making it a must-have in any diet aiming for nutritional completeness and disease prevention. This vegetable is not just delicious but also offers significant health benefits in every serving.

It’s packed with fiber for digestive health, folate for DNA synthesis, and vitamins A, C, and E for immune support, skin health, and vision. It’s rich in antioxidants and the amino acid asparagine, promoting a healthy heart and reducing disease risk.

More Asparagus Recipes You May Enjoy:

Parmesan Asparagus Fries
Chicken and Asparagus Lemon Stir Fry
Grilled Asparagus
Grilled Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
Roasted Asparagus with Dijon Vinaigrette

Roasted Asparagus Recipe

5 from 10 votes

Cals:26

Protein:2.5

Carbs:5

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.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Equipment

sheet pan

Ingredients

▢ 1 bunch fresh asparagus, about 18 ounces
▢ olive oil spray
▢ kosher salt, to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon)
▢ fresh black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (205°C). This temperature is ideal for roasting asparagus, allowing it to become tender and slightly caramelized.
Prepare the Asparagus: Rinse the asparagus under cold water to clean. Dry the spears with a kitchen towel. Trim off the tough bottom ends of the asparagus spears. This can be about 1-2 inches from the bottom, or you can find the natural breaking point by gently bending the spear until it snaps.
Season the Asparagus: Place the asparagus on a baking sheet or sheet pan. Drizzle or spray with olive oil then sprinkle with salt and black pepper to taste.
Arrange for Roasting: Spread the asparagus in a single layer on the baking sheet. Make sure there's a little space between the spears so they roast properly rather than steam.
Roast: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Roast for about 10-15 minutes, or until the asparagus is crisp tender and lightly browned. Thinner spears will cook faster, so adjust the time accordingly.

Optional

Once done, you can optionally squeeze a bit of lemon juice over the asparagus for a fresh zing or top with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for a savory finish. Serve immediately.

Last Step:

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Video

Notes

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.

Nutrition

Serving: 4 ounces, Calories: 26 kcal, Carbohydrates: 5 g, Protein: 2.5 g, Sodium: 2 mg, Fiber: 2.5 g, Sugar: 2 g

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FAQs

What cooking method is best for asparagus? ›

Thin asparagus is great for stir fries and sautéing. Fat asparagus is good for roasting or grilling, and best when you want to serve whole spears, even simply steamed. Medium spears work in almost any cooking method.

Learn More Now ›

What's the best way to cook asparagus? ›

Fill a pot with a few inches of water and insert a steamer basket or insert. Lay the asparagus in the steamer and cook until it's bright green and crisp-tender, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Then submerge the asparagus in a large bowl of ice water to quickly stop the cooking.

Why is my roasted asparagus stringy? ›

Asparagus gets woody, or sometimes described as stringy, from several things: The base is more fibrous than the tips. White spear bottoms will be more fibrous and should be cut off.

Get More Info ›

Is it better to blanch or steam asparagus? ›

One easy way to cook asparagus is to blanch it. Not only is it quick, but blanching also helps retain the vegetable's vibrant green color. Plus, blanched asparagus results in a crisp-tender texture, perfect for recipes like Asparagus Salad with Eggs & Jambon de Bayonne and Tarragon Scallops on Asparagus Spears.

Keep Reading ›

How do you cook asparagus so it's not stringy? ›

Simply pan-fried until tender, and enjoy! How do you cook asparagus so it's not stringy? To prevent asparagus from being stringy, it's important to trim the tough woody parts off of the bottom of the asparagus spears and cook until perfectly tender. If it's overcooked, it can be stringy and soggy.

Read The Full Story ›

What is the healthiest way to eat asparagus? ›

Boil, griddle or roast fresh, tender asparagus and eat on its own with some low-fat dairy-free yogurt, or sprinkle with low-fat dressing, balsamic vinegar or soy sauce. Slice – raw or cooked – asparagus stalks and add to stir-fries, risottos, soups, sauces, tarts and quiches.

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Should you soak asparagus in water before cooking? ›

Soak in cold water for about 15 minutes, gently agitating every so often to loosen any sandy soil trapped in tips or "fins"; then lift asparagus from the water, leaving grit behind.