Oven Roasted Asparagus

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4.95 from 18 votes
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Learn how to make perfect oven-roasted asparagus every time. Crispy, tender, and packed with flavor—this simple side dish will elevate any meal!

Roasted asparagus on a white plate topped with garlic and cheese with a roasting pan in the background.
Table of Contents
  1. The Perfect Easy Side Dish
  2. Why Oven Roasting is the Best Way to Cook Asparagus
  3. Roasted Asparagus Ingredients
  4. What to Serve with Oven Roasted Asparagus
  5. Tips for Perfect Asparagus Every Time
  6. More Ways to Season Roasted Asparagus
  7. Storage and Leftovers
  8. Questions About Oven Roasted Asparagus
  9. How to Make Roasted Asparagus
  10. Oven Roasted Asparagus Recipe
  11. More Delicious Vegetable Sides

The Perfect Easy Side Dish

If you’re looking for a simple, delicious side dish that goes with just about any meal, you’ve come to the right place. Oven-roasted asparagus is a total game-changer. It’s tender yet crispy, packed with flavor, and ridiculously easy to make. Whether you’re cooking for a holiday dinner or just a Tuesday night meal, this recipe always hits the mark.

I’ll share all my tips and tricks to ensure your asparagus turns out perfect every single time. Trust me — you’ll never go back to steaming it again.

Why Oven Roasting is the Best Way to Cook Asparagus

Roasting asparagus brings out its natural sweetness while keeping it perfectly crisp-tender. The high oven heat caramelizes the tips, creating a delightful texture. Plus, roasting avoids the sogginess that sometimes comes with steaming or boiling.

The secret? A short cooking time at a high temperature. This keeps the oil from soaking into the spears and ensures they cook evenly. Bonus: it makes your kitchen smell amazing!

Roasted Asparagus Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need for this simple yet satisfying dish:

  • Asparagus – The main ingredient! Go for bright green, firm spears. Thick spears hold up better during roasting, but thin ones can work too — just adjust the cooking time. Snap the stems at the bottom to remove the woody ends of the asparagus.
  • Olive oil – Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the top of the asparagus before adding on toppings.
  • Garlic – Fresh garlic adds a wonderful, savory punch.
  • Parmesan cheese – For a cheesy, melty topping that takes the flavor up a notch.
  • Kosher salt – Balances the flavors. Sea salt works too for a slightly crunchier finish.

What to Serve with Oven Roasted Asparagus

This side dish pairs beautifully with so many main courses, like:

  • Juicy grilled steak or roast chicken
  • Pork roast for a hearty dinner
  • Light and fresh fish dishes
  • A colorful addition to Easter dinner

I also love serving it alongside pasta for a well-rounded meal.

Stack of trimmed asparagus on a striped dish cloth in preparation to make oven roasted asparagus.

Tips for Perfect Asparagus Every Time

Want to level up your asparagus game? Keep these tips in mind:

  • Don’t Overcrowd: Give the spears space to breathe on the baking sheet. If they’re piled on top of each other, they’ll steam instead of roast.
  • Use Parchment Paper: Foil traps moisture, which can make the asparagus soggy. Parchment paper keeps them crispy.
  • Get Creative with Seasonings: Try a dash of red pepper flakes for heat or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness.
  • Removing ends – To remove tough ends, grab one stalk of asparagus at each end and bend until it snaps. It will naturally snap where it starts to get tough. Avoid using a knife if possible.
  • Asparagus size – Thick spears tastes the same as thinner spears. So, feel free to roast up whatever you have on hand. Thinner spears can be tougher to chew, while thicker spears are more tender. So, just be careful to adjust your roasting time a few minutes.
  • For a smaller batch of asparagus, try our Air Fryer Asparagus recipe.
Roasted Asparagus on a baking sheet, topped with parmesan cheese and seasoning.

More Ways to Season Roasted Asparagus

Mix things up by adding different toppings and flavors. This goes for broccoli, butternut squash, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, any veggie you want to roast in the oven.

  • Cheese Lovers: Add a mix of Parmesan and mozzarella.
  • Crispy Toppings: Toss with seasoned bread crumbs or slivered almonds.
  • Savory Add-Ins: Sprinkle with garlic powder, fresh herbs, or crumbled bacon.
  • Zesty Twist: Drizzle with lemon juice and sprinkle with zest.

“Made them a couple of weeks ago and they are out of this world. In fact, my sister-in-law was standing over the Pan just eating them straight from the oven.”

-Caroline

Storage and Leftovers

Here’s how to store and reheat your leftover roasted asparagus:

  • Fridge: Keep roasted asparagus in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
  • Reheat: Pop them back in the oven or air fryer to maintain that crisp texture. Microwaving works in a pinch but can make them a bit soft.
  • Cold Add-Ins: Chop leftovers into salads or toss them into scrambled eggs for a quick and tasty breakfast.
Roasted Asparagus topped with parmesan cheese and spices presented on a white plate, next to a pan of roasted asparagus, a bunch of asparagus, and a bowl of peppercorns.

Questions About Oven Roasted Asparagus

How do you avoid the asparagus from getting mushy?

Avoid using foil — it traps moisture. Stick with parchment paper for crispy results. It’s a game changer!

Should I blanch my asparagus before roasting?

You can, but it’s not necessary. Blanching is great if you’re worried about charring or if you’re using very thick spears. This is best used when you are grilling, searing, or roasting.

How do you blanch asparagus?

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus for 2-3 minutes, then transfer it to an ice bath. This keeps it vibrant and tender.

Where is asparagus grown best?

Asparagus is found in well-drained soils and does not have extremely acidic soils. It can grow in heavy, medium, or sandy soils, as long as the soils are well-drained areas. If there is a lot of water after it rains, asparagus will not be able to survive.

READ MORE: 35+ Easter Dinner Ideas

How to Make Roasted Asparagus

Roasted Asparagus on a baking sheet

Oven Roasted Asparagus

4.95 from 18 votes
Oven Roasted Asparagus is a flavorful side dish for any meal. Topped with olive oil, garlic, and cheese, they come out perfectly tender and crisp every time!
Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Video

Equipment

  • Conventional Oven

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch asparagus (trimmed)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese (grated)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • Pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425-degrees. Rinse and trim asparagus. Dry well and set aside.
    Trimmed asparagus on a dish cloth to make roasted asparagus in the oven
  • In a mixing bowl or shallow dish, combine olive oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Toss well with asparagus until asparagus is lightly coated with mixture. 
    Olive oil, garlic, and cheese mixed together in a baking dish to make roasted asparagus
  • Place asparagus in a single layer on a lined baking sheet pan and bake for 8-10 minutes. 
    Roasted Asparagus on a baking sheet
  • Remove from oven and serve immediately.
    Roasted asparagus on a plate with cheese and seasonings.

Notes

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Roasted Asparagus

  • Place leftover roasted asparagus in an airtight container in the fridge for five to seven days.
  • When ready to reheat leftovers, you can place them back in the oven for a few minutes or, you can microwave them for about thirty seconds.
  • Unfortunately, the microwave makes them a bit soft, so I would recommend the oven method.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 102kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 4gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 354mgPotassium: 236mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 880IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 75mgIron: 2.4mg

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More Delicious Vegetable Sides

If you’re looking for more delicious vegetable side dishes like our roasted asparagus, check out some of our other favorites! If you prefer oven roasting your veggies, you will love our roasted Brussels sprouts with potatoes and our roasted vegetable recipes.
Oven Roasted Vegetables
How to Cook Frozen Peas
Oven Roasted Green Beans
Roasted Potatoes and Brussel Sprouts
Easy Cucumber Onion Salad
Grilled Corn on the Cob

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About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Meridian, Idaho, with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and their three daughters. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and has a passion for travel and adventure. Whether kayaking, hiking, or scuba diving, she loves exploring the world—and bringing her family along for the ride.

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Comments

  1. I recalled my mother made this recipe years ago and it was absolutely delicious and tasty. It still is a favorite side dish of mine because it is healthy. While reading about this recipe, it brought back wonderful memories of my mother and her great cooking skills. I miss you mother.

  2. 5 stars
    One of my favorite things about spring is asparagus popping up out of the path, I have roasted it many times but, oh my goodness, never thought about adding the parmasan cheese! YUM!

  3. 5 stars
    Made them a couple weeks ago and they are out of this world. In fact my sister-in-law was standing over the Pan just eating them straight from the oven.

  4. 5 stars
    omg, I never knew about the foil making it mushier but makes so much sense! Thanks for the great tip, I’ll definitely be switching to parchment paper for oven-roasted asparagus from now on!

  5. 5 stars
    The photos alone made me want to cook this! Truly an awesome recipe and great tips too. This will become a regular in my house from now on.
    Thank you.

  6. Asparagus ( fresh or canned)
    Rinse & dry or drain can & pat dry with paper towels
    1/2 to 1 sleeve of Ritz crackers ( crushed)
    2-3 TBS melted butter
    Shredded cheddar cheese

    I rinse & dry asparagus or drain & pat dry can asparagus with paper towels. ( try to get as dry as you can)
    Place / spread apart on lined cookie sheet.
    To crushed ritz crackers ..add a little melted butter .mix together lightly till coated with butter
    Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over asparagus ..then sprinkle ritz crackers over that.

    Place in 425 oven for 15 minutes
    Remove from oven & ready to eat.

    Really good … I could eat it all at one meal 😊

  7. 5 stars
    Created dairy free version (have dairy allergen)with follow your heart parmesan cheese shreds.
    Turned out great. Taste delicious

  8. 5 stars
    My husband just pulled the asparagus out of the oven as I typed this THE AROMA is phenomenal can’t wait to try it

  9. 5 stars
    Love how easy and flavorful roasted asparagus is! It’s always in rotation around here! – thanks for the recipe!