Perfect Roasted Asparagus

Name: Perfect Roasted Asparagus
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 large bunch (about 1 pound) fresh asparagus; 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil; Salt, to taste; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste; Zest and juice of 1/2 medium lemon, preferably organic; Lemon wedges, from the remaining 1/2 lemon; Sprinkle of finely grated Parmesan cheese; Small handful of fresh mint or parsley, finely chopped; Light sprinkle of red pepper flakes; Pat or two of butter; Light drizzle of balsamic reduction or thick balsamic vinegar; Toasted sliced almonds

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It’s asparagus season, and I can’t get enough of it. Roasting asparagus brings out its best. The tips get a little crispy in the oven, which I love, and the flavor is more concentrated than it would be if you steamed or sautéed it.

Roasted asparagus is the perfect springtime side dish, whether for brunch or dinner. As a bonus, it’s simple to throw together while your main dish cooks on the stove.

For these photos, I decked out my asparagus with lemon, mint, red pepper flakes and the lightest shaving of Parmesan.

You can keep your roasted asparagus as simple as you’d like. I included the basic recipe below, plus ideas for changing up the seasonings!

How to Store Asparagus

Pro tip: Place your asparagus in a heavy-bottomed jar or drinking glass when you get home, and add a couple inches of water. You can place a plastic bag over the top to retain maximum freshness.

Then, store the asparagus like this in your refrigerator. It will stay fresh for several days longer this way!

How to Prep Asparagus

The ends of asparagus can be unpleasantly tough and woody. To remove those parts, sharply bend the asparagus near the base.

The asparagus will snap in the right place. This would be a fun dinnertime project for kids, I think.

How to Roast Asparagus

Roasting asparagus is super easy and quick! Simply toss your prepared asparagus with a light drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. I like to do this on a large, rimmed baking sheet (affiliate link) lined with parchment paper for easy clean-up.

Bake until the asparagus is easily pierced through by a fork, which will vary depending on the thickness of your asparagus. Pencil-thin asparagus, like the kind shown here, will be done in as little as 10 minutes. Thicker asparagus will need between 15 to 20 minutes. You’ll find all of these details in the recipe below.

How to Season Asparagus

Here are some ideas for flavors that will complement your roasted asparagus. Keep it simple and choose just one or two. Or go all-out like I did, and use all four of the first ideas.

Lemon zest and/or lemon wedges
Sprinkle of finely grated Parmesan cheese
Small handful of fresh mint or parsley, finely chopped
Light sprinkle of red pepper flakes
Pat or two of butter
Light drizzle of balsamic reduction or thick balsamic vinegar
Toasted sliced almonds

Watch How to Roast Asparagus

Extra asparagus? Here are some recipes that will use it up:

Looking more simple roasted side dishes? Try these:

Please let me know how your roasted asparagus turns out in the comments! I’m really looking forward to hearing how you serve it.