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.

Basic Roasted Asparagus Recipe (1)

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:

Basic Roasted Asparagus Recipe (2)

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:

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F. This temperature is ideal for roasting asparagus.
  2. 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.
  3. Season the Asparagus: Place the asparagus on a rimmed baking sheet. Spray with oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
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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.
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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.

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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

Basic Roasted Asparagus Recipe (8)

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

Basic Roasted Asparagus Recipe (9)

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Total: 15 minutes mins

Print Rate Pin SaveWW Points

Yield: 4 servings

Serving Size: 4 ounces

Equipment

Ingredients

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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Basic Roasted Asparagus Recipe (2024)

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.

What is the best way to cook asparagus? ›

Chop the spears into 1-inch pieces and drop them into the boiling water for about 1 minute, or until tender but still bright green. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the blanched asparagus to the ice water and chill for 1 minute. Drain, pat dry, and toss into salads, pastas, or squeeze with lemon and enjoy!

How long does it take to cook asparagus at 350? ›

Roast asparagus:

Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes or to desired degree of tenderness. Transfer asparagus to a serving dish; sprinkle with almonds.

Why is my oven roasted asparagus soggy? ›

Overcooking It

Because it only takes a few minutes to cook, keep a close eye on it to avoid soggy, limp stems as the outcome. To avoid overcooking, take it out of the oven or off the stove a minute or so before you think it's done. Another way to prevent overcooking is to shock the asparagus in an ice bath.

What are three ways to cook asparagus? ›

Its elegant, snappy stalks stand up well to a variety of preparations, including roasting, steaming, sautéing and grilling. You can even eat asparagus raw: shave it into ribbons with a vegetable peeler and toss into dishes like Shaved Asparagus Salad with Lemon and Parmesan or Asparagus Fettuccine Carbonara.

Why isn't my asparagus crispy? ›

Why Isn't My Asparagus Crispy? Whether you Air Fry, steam, broil, or roast asparagus — if the spears come out soggy and limp it means they're overcooked. I usually categorize asparagus spears into thin, medium, and thick categories.

Why do you soak asparagus? ›

I soak all asparagus first in cold water. I trim the ends and then rinse the stalks and let them sit in cold water for five minutes. It hydrates the asparagus, and they cook more quickly, for they are already wet with some moisture within them. Do not soak them for thirty minutes, you are not trying to get them soggy.

Should asparagus be washed before baking? ›

One thing you definitely don't want to do is wash asparagus before storing it—the added moisture will cause the spears to get slimy. When you're ready to cook, just give them a quick rinse under cool running water and pat them dry with a kitchen towel, as Pradhan recommends.

Do you season asparagus before or after cooking? ›

Step 1In a large skillet over medium heat, heat a thin layer of olive oil. Add asparagus and cook until tender, 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and a squeeze of lemon.

What organs does asparagus help? ›

Asparagus contains potassium, an important nutrient for keeping your heart, bones, kidneys and nerves functioning and healthy. You may be surprised to learn that this stalky vegetable also consists of a compound called asparaptine, which may help improve blood flow, in turn lowering blood pressure.

How do you keep cooked asparagus crisp? ›

Stand the spears upright in a glass containing 1-2cm of water, cover with a plastic bag and store in the fridge. If space is an issue, wrap the spears in a clean, damp tea towel and store in the crisper section of the fridge. This way your asparagus spears will stay crisp for up to three days.

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.

What is the healthiest way to eat asparagus? ›

Try adding shredded, raw asparagus to pasta dishes and salads. Alternatively, enjoy the spears lightly steamed or sautéed in a frittata, or as a stand-alone side dish. Asparagus is a nutritious choice, regardless of whether it's cooked or raw. Try eating a combination of the two for maximum health benefits.

Does asparagus get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

Undercooked asparagus, crunchy and forbidding, can taste like a punishment. But if you simmer asparagus long enough to cook it through, its texture becomes soft and almost creamy, and its lovely flavor comes into full bloom.

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