Oven Roasted Asparagus Recipe - iFoodReal.com (2024)

This Oven Roasted Asparagus Recipe is made with 5 simple ingredients in 20 minutes. Learn how to cook asparagus in the oven perfectly every time. Plus we share tips how to trim, season and store this vegetable.

If you love asparagus in a simple yet flavorful dish, check out broiled asparagus, bacon wrapped asparagus and this air fryer asparagus recipe.

I think this oven roasted asparagus recipe is the best way to cook asparagus! Just a few simple seasonings and 12 minutes in the oven, and you have the perfect healthy side dish!

Once you learn how to cook asparagus in the oven, I guarantee you will be making it almost weekly. My method for baked asparagus recipe is not only simple but so delicious!

Deliciously seasoned roasted asparagus is perfect to serve next to almost any healthy dinner main. It’s so versatile!

Ingredients for Roasted Asparagus Recipe

To make perfectly roasted asparagus recipe every time you need just 5 simple ingredients. Then we include more optional seasonings below.

• Fresh asparagus: Asparagus is available year round with highest quality asparagus in the spring. Choose firm asparagus stalks with closed tips. Thickness of asparagus spears is a personal preference and requires different cooking time, which we cover below in the post.
• Oil: I think extra virgin olive oil truly shines its flavors when used for roasting asparagus in the oven. But you can use avocado oil, grapeseed oil or any other oil you like.
• Fresh garlic: I prefer freshly minced garlic because those little bits taste delicious with baked asparagus and do not get a chance to burn. In a pinch, you can use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
• Seasonings: Salt and pepper.

How to Prepare Asparagus for Roasting

Before we show you how to roast asparagus in the oven, you need to learn how to clean and trim asparagus.

• Clean asparagus: Wash asparagus with cold water from any debris and dirt. Dry completely with kitchen towel. Drying asparagus ensures oil and seasonings stick to it and guarantees crispy roasted asparagus.
• Snap one woodsy end: Snap off about 1.5-2 inches end of one asparagus spear. Where it breaks easily, is where tender asparagus begins that’s ready for cooking.
• Trim the rest: Line a few more asparagus spears with one trimmed asparagus spear on a cutting board and using a chef’s knife cut all of them the same length. You can also snap each asparagus spear one by one.
• Place on baking sheet: Transfer trimmed asparagus on large rimmed baking sheet (I love this OXO sheet pan). Now we are ready to season and roast asparagus in the oven.

How to Cook Asparagus in the Oven

The process of how to bake asparagus in the oven is so simple and quick! There is a full recipe card below.

• Season asparagus: Drizzle asparagus with oil, then sprinkle with minced garlic, salt and pepper. Using your hands or tongs, toss asparagus to coat in seasonings evenly.
• Spread it in a single layer: Move asparagus around the baking sheet so they don’t overlap and touch minimally. It’s OK if majority of asparagus is touching, just spread as much as possible for maximum crispness.
• Bake asparagus: Roast asparagus in the preheated to 425 degrees F oven for 12 minutes. The trick is to cook asparagus at the right oven temperature for the right amount of time.
• Check if it’s ready: Your roasted asparagus recipe is ready when you touch it with a fork and it pierces easily and yet is firm. Do not overcook. Remove from the oven immediately.

What Temperature to Roast Asparagus in the Oven?

I find the ideal cooking time for baked asparagus in the oven to be 425 degrees F. I have seen other recipes call for 400 degrees F and 375 degrees F but I think it just means you have to wait longer.

If you would rather cook asparagus at a lower oven temperature, here is a handy time table to use:

• 350 F – roast asparagus for 25 minutes
• 375 F – roast asparagus for 20 minutes
• 400 F – roast asparagus for 15 minutes

How Long to Roast Asparagus?

How long to roast asparagus in the oven depends on its thickness and your oven temperature. Use this handy cook time table for cooking asparagus at 425 degrees F.

Tips for Best Results

While this is an easy roasted asparagus recipe, be sure to follow these simple tips for best crispy asparagus results!

• Choose the right size baking sheet: Make sure you use a large enough baking sheet so you can spread it in a single layer. If you pile asparagus on top of each other, the asparagus will steam instead of roasting.
• Take time to prep asparagus well: Make sure to wash and dry it well for maximum crispy results. Oil doesn’t stick well to wet asparagus resulting in under seasoned and limpy roasted asparagus. Trim the woodsy ends properly to avoid tough chewy asparagus meal.
• Be patient during baking: Do not disturb asparagus in the oven during roasting process. Do not open the oven and do not move asparagus around. If you are curious, turn the oven light on.
• Do not overcook asparagus: Pay attention to whether you have thin, medium or thick asparagus spears. Choose cook time accordingly as there is a direct correlation between the time it takes to roast asparagus and its thickness.

Seasoning Variations

There are so many flavor combinations that will result in the most delicious oven roasted asparagus recipe. Here are just a few:

• Parmesan cheese: Sprinkle oven baked asparagus with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and put it back in the oven until melted. Or enjoy as is.
• Mozzarella cheese: Top roasted asparagus with grated mozzarella cheese and broil until cheese is bubbly and golden.
• Lemon: Once you are done baking asparagus, squeeze fresh lemon juice on top.
• Garlic butter: Drizzle with melted garlic butter.
• Balsamic glaze: Drizzle with store-bought balsamic glaze and sprinkle with fresh basil.
• Almonds: Lightly toast slivered or sliced almonds and sprinkle on top of baked asparagus.

What to Serve Roasted Asparagus With?

Roasted asparagus recipe is one of my favorite side dishes! It’s light, crispy and screams spring. Here are my favorite ways to pair it:

• With lamb: No Easter meal is complete without lamb dish like a leg of lamb, lamb roast or lamb loin chops and a side of baked asparagus.
• Meat roast: For a holiday table or Sunday dinner, serve with sirloin tip roast or eye of round roast.
• With seafood: Buttery and flaky lemon baked cod or grilled shrimp skewers will complete oven baked asparagus for a light and fresh meal.
• Leftovers: Chop up cold leftovers and throw in healthy pasta salad or chicken vegetable soup (at the end). Best part is it all tastes delicious when cold.
• Egg salad: A dollop of healthy egg salad on rye bread or sourdough toast alongside this easy asparagus recipe, just screams “Spring has arrived”.

How to Store It

Store: Refrigerate asparagus leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. My personal preference is maximum 2 days because roasted asparagus becomes more limpy as time goes by.

Enjoy asparagus cold straight from the fridge or quickly warmed up in microwave, in the oven or hot skillet.

Do not freeze cooked asparagus. It becomes mushy and stringy upon thawing.

FAQs

More Asparagus Recipes to Try

• Asparagus salad
• Chicken asparagus stir fry
• Chicken and asparagus

More Roasted Vegetable Recipes

• Roasted sweet potatoes
• Roasted brussels sprouts
• Roasted cauliflower