Description
Roasted asparagus brings elegant simplicity to spring vegetable side dishes with minimal effort. Crisp, herbed edges and tender centers create a delightful complement you’ll savor alongside main courses or enjoy as a light, nutritious snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) red pepper flakes
Complementary Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup (60 grams) grated Parmesan
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the middle for even roasting.
- Gently wash the asparagus under cool running water, then pat completely dry with paper towels.
- Carefully snap or cut off the woody, tough bottom ends of the asparagus spears, creating uniform stalks.
- Arrange the asparagus on a rimmed baking sheet, ensuring they are spread in a single, uncrowded layer.
- Drizzle high-quality olive oil generously over the asparagus, rotating the spears to ensure complete coverage.
- Sprinkle kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and minced garlic evenly across the asparagus.
- Use clean hands or tongs to gently toss and coat the spears, guaranteeing uniform seasoning.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, watching for edges to become slightly crisp and golden.
- Remove from oven and immediately garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a bright squeeze of lemon juice.
- Optional: Enhance with a light dusting of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick of heat before serving immediately.
Notes
- Trim asparagus carefully by gently snapping off the woody ends where they naturally break, ensuring tender and delicious spears.
- Prevent overcrowding on the baking sheet by spreading asparagus in a single layer, which helps achieve crispy edges and even roasting.
- Customize seasoning by experimenting with different herbs like thyme, rosemary, or adding minced shallots for complex flavor profiles.
- Adjust roasting time based on asparagus thickness; thinner spears need less time to prevent burning, while thicker ones require slightly longer cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 115 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 1420 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg