With its tender stalks and crispy tips, Roasted Asparagus is one of the most delectable ways to enjoy this quick-cooking veggie. This is a recipe that’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner, but fancy enough to serve for a holiday meal!
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The perfect roasted vegetable for spring.
Ohh-la-la asparagus! This veggie is a popular restaurant side but, like Roasted Mushrooms another dining-out favorite, it’s super simple to make at home.
- Because asparagus is a softer vegetable and the spears are thin, it cooks more quickly than hard vegetables like Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Roasted Sweet Potatoes. Just 9 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness!
- Just trim the ends, and you are ready to roast (no laborious peeling like when you’re making Roasted Butternut Squash).
- It’s so versatile too! Season it up with Parmesan and lemon, make it spicy, or keep it simple. Pair it with a protein like Baked Salmon, or serve it alongside any of these pasta recipes.
5 Star Review
“This will be my go to way to prepare and cook asparagus from here on out! It was SO savory, 10/10 taste and texture.”
— Gabriela —
How to Make Roasted Asparagus
Trim the Asparagus. Wash and dry the asparagus. Hold the top of the stem in one hand and grip it near the base with the other. Briskly bend, and the asparagus will naturally snap in the right place.
Oil and Season. Make sure the asparagus has a light coating so the tips do not burn. Keep the seasonings simple with salt and pepper, or try one of the variations below.
Spread the Asparagus into a Single Layer. Make sure the spears aren’t touching so the air can circulate.
Roast. Roast the asparagus at 425 degrees F for 9 to 11 minutes (thin stalks) or 15 to 20 minutes (thick stalks). Finish with optional toppings and ENJOY!
What to Serve with Roasted Asparagus
- Salmon. Garlic Salmon with Butter and Lemon and Balsamic Glazed Salmon are both flavorful and easy salmon recipes to serve with roasted asparagus.
- Steak. Air Fryer Steak with asparagus will make you swoon.
- Pork. Stuffed Pork Tenderloin or Baked Pork Tenderloin.
- Chicken. Rosemary Chicken Thighs or Lemon Butter Chicken would be even classier with roasted asparagus.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Store Properly to Keep Your Asparagus Fresh. To extend the life of your fresh (uncooked) asparagus spears, start by removing the woody stems. Then, place your trimmed spears in a glass or jar with an inch or two of water. Place a plastic bag over the top of the spears, then refrigerate them for up to 5 days. Replace the water as needed.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan. This is the cardinal rule for all roasted vegetables, whether we’re talking about Oven Roasted Potatoes, Roasted Tomatoes, or mixed Roasted Vegetables.
- Use Enough Oil. The spear needs a light coating on all sides. If there isn’t enough, the spears’ tender tips (the best part!) will burn.
- Don’t Overcook. If you overcook asparagus, it will become mushy, and it can burn. It happens more quickly than you’d expect.
- Use a Fork to Test for Doneness. The best way to tell if asparagus is done and to keep it from becoming soggy is to pierce it with a fork. As soon as the fork can pierce the stalks easily, the asparagus is done.
- Adjust the Temp If You Have To. If you are baking other dishes with the asparagus in the oven (or adding it to this Sheet Pan Chicken with Rainbow Vegetables) and need to tweak the oven temperature to accommodate, my second recommendation would be asparagus at 400 degrees F.
Roasted Asparagus
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Ingredients
For the Asparagus:
- 1 pound asparagus
- 1 ½ teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- Toppings of your choice optional
Optional Toppings (pick one, two, or your mix of choice):
- Lemon zest and juice
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Red pepper flakes (just a pinch)
- Thyme* (1 teaspoon fresh or a slightly heaping 1/4 teaspoon of dried)
- Basil* (1 tablespoon fresh or 1 teaspoon dried)
- Drizzle balsamic reduction or aged balsamic vinegar
- Drizzle of melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. For easy cleanup, line a rimmed baking with parchment paper or aluminum foil. You may lightly coat it with non-stick spray too.
- Snap off the woody ends of the asparagus by holding the stem end in one hand and gripping it near the base with the other. Briskly bend and the asparagus will naturally snap in the right place (I find this task very satisfying). Discard the stem ends.
- Arrange the asparagus on the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and any dried herbs you are using. Toss to coat, then spread into an even layer.
- Bake the asparagus for 9 to 11 minutes (for thin stalks) or 15 to 20 minutes (for thicker stalks), just until it easily pierces with a fork.
- Sprinkle the asparagus with your toppings of choice. My favorite is lemon zest and juice, a sprinkle of Parmesan, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Enjoy hot or at room temperature.
Notes
- *INGREDIENT NOTE: If using dried herbs (see suggested amounts in “toppings”), add them with the salt prior to roasting; if using fresh herbs, sprinkle them on after the asparagus is finished roasting.
- DOUBLE BATCH: If doubling the recipe, divide the asparagus between two baking sheets to ensure it has room to roast in a single layer. Bake in the upper and lower thirds of the oven, switching the pans’ positions in the upper and lower racks halfway through.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate asparagus in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
- TO REHEAT: Rewarm leftovers on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F.
- TO FREEZE: I don’t recommend freezing asparagus, as it becomes mushy. If you must, freeze asparagus in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
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We made this using frozen asparagus, and it was still wonderful. Can’t wait to make it with fresh asparagus next week.
I used 12 ounces of frozen asparagus (half the amount in recipe) with the full recipe otherwise, and it was enough as a side for three people.
Michelle, YAY!!!! So happy you loved this. Thanks for sharing the tip about frozen asparagus too!
This receipe sounds absolutely delicious. I’m the only one, in my household, that eats asparagus. The others don’t know what they’re missing. I can make the recipe as written or reduce the amounts proportionately. If I decide to do as written, how long will it last? How easily reheated? Thanks much for your response!
Hi Mark! You can refrigerate leftover asparagus in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days. I recommend reheating the dish on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F. I hope you enjoy it!
Delish!! My family and friends love this recipe.❤
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Michele! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
These are so easy and come out delicious every time – there are never any leftovers! These have become my go-to veggie side dish; the only annoying thing is washing them. ;)
So great to hear! Thank you so much for your kind review Deborah!
This will be my go to way to prepare and cook asparagus from here on out! It was SO savory, 10/10 taste and texture. We’re trying to work more veggies into our diet and I have no doubt that this delicious recipe will prevent anymore asparagus from going bad in our fridge, which in the past I would pass over for tastier options.
I seasoned with garlic powder, onion salt, crushed black pepper, and paprika, and my only regret was that I didn’t have more asparagus on hand for seconds.
I hadn’t dried my asparagus after washing, nor had I tried breaking each stalk individually. Taking the slightly extra time to do both of those things really made a difference. Thanks, Well Plated!
Hi Gabriela! So glad you enjoyed this! Thank you for this kind review!
Delicious.
Hi Paula! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
It was absolutely Delicious! Seasoning was delicious and it roasted perfectly with a nice crunch.
Hi! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Hi Erin!
The texture was perfect! Crunchy but not hard.
Can’t wait to try your roasted sweet potatoes and other roasted veggies!
My daughter Terese bought your cookbook and enjoys your recipes.
Thanks for sharing these delicious tips!
Hi Roselle! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I seasoned with Salt, Basil and Thyme and the flavours were anazing, the texture perfect, the cooking time and temp was perfect
Hi Darren! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
My kids loved this recipe and also the roasted broccoli referenced in this article. The said I need to make the veggies like this every time!!!
Hi Nicole! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I had medium thickness asparagus. Cooked 10 minutes while following the recipe.
PERFECT!!!
Hi Helene! Thanks for the feedback! So glad you enjoyed it!
As someone who struggles with finding healthy and delicious vegetable dishes, this recipe has been a game-changer. It’s a guilt-free indulgence that I can enjoy any day of the week. The texture of the asparagus after roasting is perfect – tender yet still with a slight crunch. Thanks so much!
Makes me so happy to hear, Krista. Thank you!
I appreciate that this recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients that I already have in my pantry. Very budget-friendly and it tastes like it came from a gourmet restaurant. As a busy single mom of two, I appreciate recipes that are quick and easy to make. Thank you so much.
Great to hear, thank you Patrice!
Definitely a lifesaver! As a working mom, I crave healthy sides that are easy and quick to make. The combination of lemon, parmesan and the drizzle of balsamic vinegar is divine, it brings out the natural sweetness of the asparagus. My kids even gobble it up. Thanks for sharing this gem!
Yay! Thank you Natasha!
I over think everything and hate when my asparagus is overcooked or boring and Erin lays this out so easily! I always reference this recipe when I make asparagus as a side! My favorite combo has been the lemon, parm, and red pepper flake combo! SO good!!
Great to hear, thank you Audrey!
We absolutely loved it! My go to way of cooking asparagus. We put Parmesan on top and it’s amazing!
Great to hear, Jenna! Thank you!
Love this for a simple summer or springy side! Thank you!
This has been my favorite asparagus recipe since you first posted it!
So glad to hear! Thank you!
I love roasted asparagus! Added thyme and balsamic-turned out great!
Yum! Thanks Alison!
So easy! Came out beautifully.
So great to hear, Jaina! Thank you!