Garlic Parmesan Asparagus is roasted in a super hot oven until perfectly tender but still firm. No one likes mushy asparagus! Read on for not only the best asparagus recipe but all your most pressing questions about this favorite spring vegetable…

If you’ve been a reader of MKE for awhile, you know how passionate I am about roasting my veggies. When you roast them at a high temperature, they cook very quickly and it brings out their natural sugars, creating a gorgeous and delicious browning on the outside.
With springtime here, it is time to talk about roasting my FAVORITE spring vegetable…asparagus! It grows wild here in Minnesota but those patches of wild asparagus are heavily kept secrets so I have to buy mine at the store like everyone else to make my favorite Garlic Parmesan Asparagus.
How to Prepare Asparagus for Cooking
There is no need to peel fresh asparagus. You just need to trim the woody bottoms off of them. Take one spear and hold it at the bottom. Bend it and allow the bottom to break off naturally. Now, to save time, use that broken spear as your cutting guide for the rest of your bundle instead of breaking each individual spear. Just line the broken one with the rest of your bundle and cut along the natural break line. A whole bundle is done and ready to cook!
Can You Roast Asparagus?
Absolutely, you can roast asparagus and it is the easiest way to prepare it! All you need is a hot oven, a baking sheet, a dash of oil, and your favorite seasonings. It is important to allow the oven to fully come to temperature before roasting, otherwise you will end up steaming it instead of roasting.
What Temperature to Roast Asparagus?
425 degrees is the ideal temperature to roast asparagus in the oven. Any cooler than that and it will become mushy on the inside before it caramelizes on the outside. Any hotter than 425 degrees and you will end up with charred spears by the time they are fully cooked.
How Long Do You Roast Asparagus?
It depends on the size of your asparagus and the heat of your oven. If roasting at 425 like I recommend, asparagus that is about the thickness of a pencil will be done in about 6 minutes. As the spears get thicker, add 3-4 extra minutes for medium sized spears, and 6-8 more minutes for thick spears. Always check your asparagus on the lower end of the time frame first. You can always add more roasting time but if they get overcooked and mushy, you can’t reverse time.
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PrintGarlic Parmesan Asparagus
An easy and healthy asparagus recipe that is delicious and kid-friendly!
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients
1 bundle asparagus spears, about 1 pound
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoon freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Break one spear of asparagus at the bottom to remove woody end. Use that break point as a guide to cut off the ends for remaining spears. Place on rimmed baking sheet.
- Drizzle olive oil over the spears, then add lemon, garlic, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese. Use your hands to toss it all together and coat the spears.
- Roast in the oven for 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your asparagus. If you have very thin spears, it will be closer to 6-8 minutes. You can test for doneness by picking up one piece by the cut end and it should bend slightly without being completely limp.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Roasted
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4
- Calories: 48 calories
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 332 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 1 mg
Keywords: healthy side dish recipe, asparagus recipe
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