Asparagus In The Oven (Easy Recipe)

This oven-roasted asparagus recipe is created for one reason and that is because I am always looking for simple, straightforward ways to incorporate more greens into my diet. And side dishes, especially vegetable side dishes, give me an excuse to do so.

Cooking asparagus in the oven delivers a quick and healthy side dish that is easily customizable. Plus, I think it is the easiest way to cook it. Once you learn all there is to know about prepping, storing and cooking, the fun part comes in the seasoning and serving.

Add this baked asparagus to your recipe book. I promise you that it’ll be one you’ll turn to over and over again. If you’d rather cook asparagus on the stove, be sure to check out my Sauteed Asparagus Recipe, and if you want to try your hand in cooking it in the air fryer be sure to try my Air Fryer Asparagus recipe as well.

Ingredient List:

All it takes is 5 simple ingredients for perfectly roasted asparagus every time – 7 ingredients if you include the optional seasonings.

Gather together fresh asparagus stalks, olive oil, garlic, kosher salt and black pepper. Parmesan cheese and lemon juice are optional, but highly recommended!

Note: Thin vs thick asparagus, or the thickness of the asparagus, is more about personal preference. Pencil thin asparagus is sweeter whereas thicker asparagus has a stronger aroma and flavor. While you can find thick asparagus all year long, the thinner asparagus is usually available at grocery stores during the asparagus season. We will discuss variance in cooking times below!

How to prepare it for roasting?

Star by cleaning it. To do so, Gently rinse under cool running water to remove any dirt or debris. Then, thoroughly dry the spears with a clean kitchen towel. The dry surface and hot oven ensure maximum crispness every time.

The best way to prepare asparagus is to snap off the ends one-by-one. This is the natural break between tender asparagus and the woody stem. The woodsy part should snap off easily.

If this is a task that seems too tedious, simply snap one spear. Then, bunch the asparagus spears together, line up the ends and cut at the point where the one asparagus spear was broken.

You can toss the ends or save them for later to use next time you make vegetable or chicken stock.

How to bake asparagus in the oven?

Baked asparagus is such a simple cooking technique. It’s an incredibly easy and healthy side to have in your cooking repertoire. Simply:

1. Preheat. Heat the oven to 425 degrees F (218 Degrees C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.

1. Wash and dry. Rinse the asparagus spears under cold running water. Transfer them onto a clean kitchen towel and dry as much as possible.
2. Trim. Snap off the woody ends of the asparagus (1-2 inches from the bottom) with your fingers. It should naturally break off. Alternatively, to make it quicker, you can gather them all together and cut the ends at the same time using a knife. Discard the trims or save for making stock later.

1. Season with salt and pepper. Place the asparagus spears on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle them with minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss until they are all coated with the oil and seasoning. Ensure that they are all in one layer in the pan.

1. Add cheese (optional). If using, sprinkle them with grated parmesan cheese.

1. Roast. Bake for 12-14 minutes for thick asparagus spears and 8-10 minutes for thin asparagus or until a paring knife (or a fork) inserted at the base of the largest spear meets little resistance.
2. Serve. Transfer onto a large serving plate. If preferred, drizzle with lemon juice. Serve while they are still warm.

What temperature to bake?

I found the ideal temperature to roast asparagus to be 425 degrees F. This is the fastest and most efficient.

I have read other recipes that bake the asparagus at 350 or 375 degrees F, but that just means you have to wait longer. If you’d rather bake asparagus in a lower temperature oven below are the baking time for various temps:

• 350 Degrees F: 25-30 minutes
• 375 Degrees F: 22-25 minutes
• 400 Degrees F: 15-17 minutes

How long to bake asparagus?

The asparagus cook time will vary depending on thickness. The thicker spears will cook longer than the thinner. Keep reading to learn more.

How to store it?

Leftover asparagus can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

During the week, I enjoy them chilled from the fridge for lunch or slightly rewarmed when it comes dinner time.

I do not recommend freezing the roasted asparagus. Upon reheating, the spears become waterlogged and mushy.

What to serve it with?

Roasted asparagus is the perfect side dish to serve with any main meal, protein, or full spread of veggies. And if you were wondering what protein goes well with asparagus, you are in the right place.

I serve it with Pressure Cooker Pot Roast Recipe when the weather is chillier throughout the fall and winter. But it pairs particularly well with Simple Roast Chicken, Baked Panko Chicken Parmesan, and Chicken Fricasse.

I love it alongside Roasted Carrots and Vegan Stuffed Acorn Squash for a full, plant-based meal. Or if you have leftovers, make my Roasted Asparagus Salad recipe.

It’s a wonderful addition to those long weekend mornings and brunch gatherings alongside Spinach Feta Frittata and Goat Cheese Quiche, too.

Here are a few more healthy and easy asparagus recipes:

It is no secret that baked asparagus make an easy side dish recipe. However, by using this simple recipe as a base you can create other dishes to wow your family. Here are a few to get you started:

• Mushroom Asparagus Tart
• Sauteed Asparagus and Mushrooms
• Truffled Asparagus Eggs

If you try this Baked Asparagus recipe or any other recipe on Foolproof Living, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.