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