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Simple Roasted Asparagus

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Perfect for when you need a simple yet elegant side dish, roasted asparagus is made with just 4 ingredients in under 15 minutes.

Roasted asparagus on a plate.

If you’ve ever taken a bite of raw asparagus, you know it’s naturally a bit bitter. High-heat roasting coaxes out the vegetable’s sweet, earthy undertones and tames its natural bitterness. Roasting is also the easiest way to prepare asparagus – you only need four simple ingredients, a sheet pan, and 15 minutes. The key is to use the thickest asparagus spears you can find and don’t overcook them. When cooked properly, the spears won’t take on much color, but the leafy ends will get soak up the olive oil and become slightly caramelized and crispy. Roasted asparagus is good plain, but if you want to dress it up, sprinkle it with lemon zest or freshly grated Parmesan cheese. One bunch of asparagus is perfect for 4 people; the recipe can easily be doubled and the cook time will be the same.

What You’ll Need To Make Roasted Asparagus

roasted asparagus ingredients

When selecting asparagus for roasting, make sure to choose thick spears; the thin ones can overcook quickly and become limp. If you’re only able to find thin spears, consider making a raw asparagus salad instead. In terms of freshness, look for stalks that are firm to the touch and have tips that are tightly closed.

If you’re not preparing the asparagus for a few days, when you get home from the supermarket, put it in a drinking glass or jar that has about an inch of water in it, then place a plastic bag over top (no need to seal the bag).

Step-by-Step Instructions

Begin by trimming the tough ends off of the asparagus. I think it’s easiest keep the spears in their rubber band bundle and cut off the ends with a knife. If you’re not sure where to cut, grab one spear and bend the stalk until it snaps; it will naturally snap where the stalk starts to get woody.

cutting ends off of asparagus spears

Make sure to dry the asparagus thoroughly before cooking; if the asparagus is wet, it will steam instead of roast.

Preheat the oven to 425°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Place the asparagus spears on the prepared pan, drizzle with the oil, and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Shake the pan to coat the asparagus evenly.

asparagus tossed with oil and seasoning

Roast the asparagus until crisp-tender, about 6 to 8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the asparagus.

Roasted asparagus on aluminum foil.

Transfer the asparagus to a platter and serve.

Roasted asparagus on a plate.You May Also Like

Simple Roasted Asparagus

Perfect for when you need a simple yet elegant side dish, roasted asparagus is made with just 4 ingredients in under 15 minutes.

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 7 Minutes
Cook Time: 8 Minutes
Total Time: 15 Minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch of asparagus (about 1 lb), tough ends trimmed
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a 13x18-inch baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
  2. Spread the asparagus in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with the oil and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Shake the pan to coat the asparagus evenly.
  3. Roast the asparagus until crisp-tender, about 6 to 8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the asparagus.

Nutrition Information

Powered by Edamam

  • Per serving (4 servings)
  • Calories: 72
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 2 g
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Sodium: 147 mg
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.

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Comments

  • Asparagus walk a fine line between over and under cooked. This recipe fixed that problem for me. Delicious!

    • — Elizabeth on December 8, 2022
    • Reply
  • We made this roasted asparagus tonight and it was yum delicious and super easy to make. Our kids, who are usually just OK about asparagus, finished all, even though I cooked two bunches for leftovers. No leftovers tonight — definitely a keeper. Thank you, Jen!

    • — Nataliya on September 14, 2022
    • Reply
  • Great recipe, chef clearly understands the ingredient extremely well. Simple recipe, but I appreciate all the additional information.

    • — Corrine on July 26, 2022
    • Reply
  • Perfect side dish with your roast beef tenderloin recipe and make ahead mashed potatoes. My guests loved it all and I always give your site full credit for recipes! I do have a request. I am trying to find a recipe for breaded fried asparagus and a dip to go with it. I’ve had before in restaurant and thought they were perfect appetizer.

    • — Jennie on May 9, 2022
    • Reply
    • Hi Jennie, glad you liked the asparagus! I don’t have a recipe that fits what you’re looking for but I will add it to my list of recipes to potentially develop. Also if I come across a recipe in the meantime that looks worthwhile, I will send it your way!

      • — Jenn on May 9, 2022
      • Reply
  • perfect temperature and timing for asparagus with a little crunch…just the way I like them;
    makes a good snack cold

    • — Carol J Winkelman on April 23, 2022
    • Reply

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